enf
Fresno, California
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Has anyone driven from Lakeview, OR to Hwy 97 using Hwy 140 for 50 miles then taking Sprague River and Kirk-Braymill Roads to Hwy 97? It looks very remote and since I'm traveling solo I want to check this out.
I originally planned to take Hwy 395 north from Lakeview to Hwy 31 over to Hwy 97, but now would like to cross the Cascades on Hwy 58 to overnight at WestFir. Any input will be appreciated.
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jefff929
Pacific wonderland, wet side
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when are you going to go on this trip?
I too am planing to use 31 to Lakeview in September.
According to my mapping software the 31 route has steep grades and is 217 miles.
The southern route, 140 to Sprague river and the Chiloquin hwy is 208 miles and also has a steep grade or two.
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donn0128
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Take 395/31 instead. It comes out about 10 miles south of Lapine. Then it is only about 30 miles south on 97 to Hwy58. There is a small reservoir just up the road from Summer Lake called Anna reservoir. Nice place to camp for the night and some of the best water in the world from the artesian well
Donn
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ORbiker
Eugene, Oregon
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ENF:
"overnight at WestFir" Where? there's not much in Westfir
There are lots of campgrounds and boondockin' spots up on Willamette Pass (Hwy 58).
I (2-10-05) bought a 2002 F350 CC SWD PSD and a new 2003 Citation 10'8. Rancho 9000X & Toyo M55's.I have been a tent camper all my life. I wanted more comfort while doing my Willamette Backcountry Ski Patrol & Crater Lake Ski Patrol duties.11
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enf
Fresno, California
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ORbiker:
I was thinking of staying at Casey's Riverside Park in Westfir. However, I'm open to all recommendations of campgrounds. I just don't want to have to unhook my pick-up truck for overnight stops if I don't have to. I'm on my way to Clackamas to be a volunteer host with Oregon Fish and Wildlife for the month of July. Wonderful opportunity and free RV site. This will be my 3rd year.
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br549
On The Road
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Being familiar with both routes, I see little difference between them in terms of roads. West thru Sprague River and Chiloquin will take you over one grade that really isn't a problem. If you go 31 to LaPine I would take the Crescent Cutoff just below Gilchrest at Crescent which cuts across to 97 just below Odell Lake - Will save quite a few miles and really is a better road than either 31 or the Sprague River road. Hwy 31 is more open country/desert scenery while traveling west to Chiloquin is more forested/ranch. The Crescent cutoff is nearly all timber.
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ORbiker
Eugene, Oregon
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enf wrote:ORbiker:
I was thinking of staying at Casey's Riverside Park in Westfir. However, I'm open to all recommendations of campgrounds. I just don't want to have to unhook my pick-up truck for overnight stops if I don't have to. I'm on my way to Clackamas to be a volunteer host with Oregon Fish and Wildlife for the month of July. Wonderful opportunity and free RV site. This will be my 3rd year.
If you wanted to boondock; you cold park in Gold Lake sno-park. It is very large paved parking lot and will be quiet. (first left after topping over Willamette Pass). Gold Lake FS camp is on the right. (gravel road with small camp sites)
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paulj
Seattle
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jefff929 wrote:
According to my mapping software the 31 route has steep grades and is 217 miles.
31 from 395 to LaPine is quite flat. I drove most of it last summer, and can't think of any grades. OK, I did bypass the crossing between the Summer Lake basin and Silver Lake - by taking the 'high road', NF28. But 31 appears to rise only a few hundred feet in this area (according to Google Maps terrain view)
Lakeview to LaPine is 140 miles.
According to GM routing, the difference in miles and time between taking 31 and 140 is negligible.
paulj
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Too_Tall_Ford
Reno, NV
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I haven't traveled over the Sprague River cutoff before but I imagine it is not a fast road. Neither is Hwy 140 from Lakeview to Klamath Falls. Good drives but very curvy. I don't remember what the grades are like.
I personally like Hwy 31 much better. For the most part you will be traveling in desert or open range. You hit the forested area around the Fort Rock road, about 30 miles from Hwy 97. A few passes but nothing outlandish. Bad points on this route are the road condition and width (narrow).
If you wanted to continue to Hwy 58, you have a few options. You could take the Silver Lake as mentioned before. You can continue to Hwy 97 and then take 97 south about 17 miles to Cresent, take the Cresent Road to Hwy 58 or you could just continue on 97 to 58.
Sometimes when I drive to Portland from Reno and then back, I will take the Hwy 31 / Hwy 97 / Cresent Road / Hwy 58 route. It is my type of scenery and the one I would recommend.
Good luck with your travels.
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enf
Fresno, California
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Thank you for your helpful information, I really appreciate it. I'll be thinking of all of you as I make the drive.
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