Oregon NF46?

[fretbender]

I have a trip planned this summer to go from Medford, OR. to Winthrop,WA. One of the roads I'm looking at as part of the route is NF 46 that goes from Detroi, OR to Ripplebrook, OR. Has anybody been on this road and know how it suits the FJR? I'd rather avoid gravel...though short stretches are tolerable.

 

[Ignacio]

I'd rather avoid gravel...though short stretches are tolerable.

Why don't you look yourself? It's all on Google Street View.

 

[SeattleTy]

Last year for Ruben Run, I took NF 46 going down and coming back. There is no gravel, a few rough spot but overall good road to ride. You will be happy if you select it to ride, have a good ride

 

[Panman]

Try this

https://www.google.com/maps/dir/Detroit,+OR/Hood+River,+OR/@45.2786573,-121.8311649,11z/data=!4m19!4m18!1m10!1m1!1s0x54bfa3a7b5daf39b:0xa9891ea95df07c0c!2m2!1d-122.1497982!2d44.7340108!3m4!1m2!1d-121.7542523!2d45.0896469!3s0x54be388aa0f0a321:0x16592352258f283e!1m5!1m1!1s0x54960e614c1c0fe7:0x56f6cf7e4d7d985c!2m2!1d-121.5214623!2d45.7053966!3e0

 

[alchemy]

Estacada into Detroit is all paved, most is good pavement. When you get into Detroit make a little jog and catch Quartzville into Sweet Home.

 

[blufjr]

Been over it twice this year already. No problem.

 

[Hudson]

Just watch for deer and oncoming traffic, as the road is barely one and a half lanes wide. Fun route.

 

[escapefjrtist]

Just watch for deer and oncoming traffic, as the road is barely one and a half lanes wide. Fun route.

Yup, for sure. Not one of those roads you can fly on...but you can still make decent time.

--G

 

[Fontanaman]

I have been on FS-46 once or twice - I can't remember. Nothing about this road is memorable. It was ok. It is paved. I suggest you spend time to find better roads.

 

[fretbender]

Thanks for the feedback all...the Quartzville route is also something I definitely want to check out. I had that route recommended to me by others but they didn't remember the name of the road, so that is very helpful. As for finding other roads...as long as it isn't Hwy 97 or I5 it's gotta be OK at least. Tough to find many good North South oriented roads in the Cascades.

I have a couple of stopping points along the way that are necessary...those being Oregon City and Kelso, Wa. Which means some of the other suggested routes will have to wait for another trip. I am noting every route that y'all call out as noteworthy though, so thanks again for ALL the alternate suggestions.

 

[NWMarc]

Just rode the route from Estacada to Deteoit yesterday and it's open no issues. It's a fun ride but still my favorite part is of course Estacada to Ripplebrook. There's been several motorcycle crashes up there this year mainly riders not negotiating corners from to much speed.

When in Detroit there is a motorcycle friendly restaurant at the east end of town with a great ice cream shop across the street from it.

 

[OregonRider]

Check this out

https://www.motorcycleroads.com/75/469/Oregon/The-Estacada-to-Detroit-Lake-highway.html

 

[dougc]

Been over it twice this year already. No problem.

I've been over it a few times this year, once in the dead of winter, no issues, good road, recommended.