paulj
Seattle
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Joined: 06/11/2007
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Google maps is good for checking the landscape - with terrain mode (contours), sat view, and streetview. In general in the west, higher elevations have forest and are administered by the Forest Service (though in Oregon there are some private forests and BLM forests). Valleys and grass lands are private or BLM.
SE Oregon is an extension of the Nevada landscape, with escarpment mountains (rims) and valleys. The area around Bend is flat Ponderosa pine forest, with a number of volcanic features. South of Burns is an area with shallow lakes and wildlife refuge. Steens Mtn is a major escarpment, with a steeper east side (Alvord desert is a salt flat). The area north of 20 is low mountains and valleys such as that which 26 runs through.
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old guy
Oregon (pronounced Or e gun)
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Joined: 03/15/2006
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I would stay on 20 instead of 26. We have friends that live in Boise and they come over to Sisters Oregon and we meet them there and then we continue on 20 to the coast. beautiful ride. I must warn you there is one curve between Corvallis and the coast. a very hair pin curve and not much warning when you get to it. Don't be afraid to use the brakes on all the curves, since I can't give you a better description of the place or location of the curve.
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paulj
Seattle
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I would consider 3 segments separately
- coast to I5
- over the Cascades
- across eastern Oregon
e.g. 20 could be combined with 26 in thr east.
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SteveAE
Bend, Oregon
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RVerDiane wrote:Is 26 any less remote? It looks like it goes through more forests.
I coming from NV so desert is what I've been around for months now!!
Thanks all for your info; I really appreciate it.
No it isn't. It is a shorter route, but a bit slower because it is a bit more windy. Very pretty though.
Steve
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RVerDiane
Madison, Wisconsin
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paulj : good idea.
So how about this:
126 or 20 from the coast to I-5
126 or 20 across the Cascades
20 or 26 across the rest of Oregon
I am driving an older MH, 22' and towing a Honda CRV so I'm no powerhorse on the road. I will need to camp along the way too. 26 looks like it has more campgrounds along the way. True?
I get about 8 mpg unless winds are bad, with a 36 gal tank if that influences choice of route.
Again thanks for all your help.
Diane
Diane
Madison, WI
'94 Horizon 21 1/2'
towing '04 Honda CRV
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paulj
Seattle
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A problem with US26 at the west end is it crosses Portland and its traffic.
US26 over the Cascades crosses the south slopes of Mt Hood - that scenic, and road is wide and relatively straight, but can have a fair amount of traffic. Once over the mountains it drops down to cross the Descutes River, with a bit of a climb back up to Madras.
A variation on US20 from Corvalis/Albany is 22 from the Salem area. After they meet the highway crosses a broad up land. Just to the north is Camp Sherman, a nice area for camping among the Ponderosas.
58 from Eugene is also a good crossing. The only problem road for crossing the Oregon Cascades is 242. Roughly equal amounts of Forest Service camping along all of these mountain crossings.
Since it is 260-280 miles from Bend to Ontario, you should be fine with one intermediate fuel stop (e.g. Burns on 20). From all I've read, 20 v 26 in eastern Oregon is a toss up. I've crossed the state further south.
http://www.nps.gov/joda/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm
is a map of camping options around John Day Fossil Beds NM and US26
* This post was
edited 04/14/12 02:27pm by paulj *
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RVerDiane
Madison, Wisconsin
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I was thinking of going from the coast to either Eugene or Corvalis areas, then across the Cascades so I wouldn't be as far north as Portland or Mt. Hood.
Thanks for your other information and post.
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sealevel ram
San Mateo, Florida
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Joined: 02/13/2005
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RVerDiane wrote:I was thinking of going from the coast to either Eugene or Corvalis areas, then across the Cascades so I wouldn't be as far north as Portland or Mt. Hood.
Thanks for your other information and post.
We took 20 to the coast last spring. I thought the Corvallis to Newport section was a nightmare, with construction and traffic.
But maybe some locals or recent travelers have a more current observation to make.
"I used to think I was indecisive, but now I'm not so sure."
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grandma lynn
Idaho
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hiway 20 from Newport to Corvallis is a bit narrow and lots of curves but I thought it was a very pretty drive, towed a 30 ft f'ver over it. I've been across from Eugene/Springfield on 126 to Bend many times, beautiful drive. If you don't mind narrow crooked roads 242 over Mckenzie pass is absolutely stunning and on a clear day you can see so many sights at the top from the viewpoint. Fuel as everyone said at Bend then just enjoy the trip. There is a picnic area at Brothers 41 miles east on 20 from bend. Then on to Burns, fuel again here if you need too. Juntura is next and there is a place to park there. I think it is called Oasis RV Park. Juntura is a nice place to stop, we use to eat there at the cafe. Ontario is the next place with all the amenities including a Walmart LOL. Stop at the spring I think it is on stinking water pass, there is room to get off and the water is really good there. It will be on your right and if I remember there is a sign that marks it. Enjoy your trip.
full-timer in training
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paulj
Seattle
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http://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/SBmckenzie.asp
A Tripcheck description of a loop using Mckenzie and Santiam passes (US20 and 242). Note when it's closed due to snow. I believe there is also a length limit for Mckenzie pass, due to the winding section through the lava fields.
http://www.tripcheck.com/Pages/SBJourneyThrTime.asp
John day byway, including part of US26
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