The Estacada to Detroit Lake highway

Motorcycle Roads & Rides > Routes > United States > Oregon

Average Rating - This road has been rated by 7 visitors

State: Oregon
Date Submitted: May 1, 2006
Submitted by: Adam
Motorcycle Road Length: 70 Miles

Written Directions

The route starts in the town of Estacada, OR (which is about 20 miles south east of Portland, OR). Start in Estacada and get on the Clackamas Highway (AKA Route 224) and head south. Take this about 70 miles to the end point of Detroit, OR.

Note: when you go through the town of Ripplebrook the name of the road will change to Clackamas River Road (NF-46) but will be the same road. At Breitenbush the road changes names again to Breitenbush Road but is still the same road. This will take you right into Detroit, OR.

Scenery

Running river, nice bridges, high fir trees, tree covered mtns. This is a beautiful, sometimes winding roadway with white waters and high rock formations following the road. This is one of those roads that have beautiful fall foliage colors, too.

Road Quality

Lots of twists and turns but portions of the road do have some small potholes and dips. There are numerous turnoffs but I would recommend staying on the main road the first time until you get use to the trip. Of course, this does go over a high pass and will have snow during the winter season. If anyone is planning to take the ride in the early spring, it's important they take into consideration the snow. I was there at the end of April and was not able to go through because the snow had the road blocked but everything was fine a few weeks later ... so I suggest you check before you head out for this route anytime before June or past September.

Roadside Amenities

Not much till you get to Detroit Lake ...just beautiful scenery and great campsites. There is an annual White Water Festival about 15 miles South of Estacada and in Detroit there is an Fishing Rodeo. Also at Detroit Lake there are two hotels, two restaurants, the marina (you can rent boats but you would need to make advanced reservations during summer weekends www.detroitlakeoregon.org for area information and www.detroitlakemarina.com for boat rentals, etc.

Additional Info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather .

Nickname (optional) Adam

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Reviewed by Guest on September 2, 2010 (2 out of 2 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Diana
Comment: Rode this last weekend (Aug 28,2010) w/a friend and really enjoyed it. Scenery is wonderful, not too much traffic and the road was in great condition. Lots of twists and turns but just took our time and thought is was one of the best day rides we have done. Went from Salem to Detroit, stopped for lunch, to Estacada and back to Salem for 175 ml ttl.
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Reviewed by wiggledbits on August 6, 2011 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: wiggledbits
motorcycle_year: 2004
motorcycle_make: BMW R1100S
motorcycle_type: Sport-Touring
Comment: Started on Sunday afternoon after a very hard couple of weeks at work. The trip out was a bit crowed with cars and a few trailers and boats being towed. Of course as always I ran into these at the best sections of road so I was disappointed but reminded myself it was Sunday. I stayed at the AllSeasons motel in Detroit that was inexpensive and clean. Monday morning I headed south towards Sweet Home and took Straight Creek Road 19 miles out of Detroit. Nice 70m side road to Sweet Home. This road starts as a 2 lane and goes to single so you have to be careful but I encountered only 3 other travelers on the road. Nice curves and good condition with 2 or 3 gravel danger spots. Monday late afternoon I was back in Detroit to take 224 back towards home in Portland. Them I got a real taste for the road in this review. They must have fixed the potted areas as it was in great condition. Bitchen views, some tighter corners and a number of triple digit sweepers. Not that I would speed or anything. Worth doing as a day drive mid week for sure!
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Reviewed by Guest on February 18, 2011 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Seldomseen
motorcycle_year: 2009
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Touring
Comment: I live in Estacada. I have made probably 50 to 60 trips in the last 10 to 12 years to Detroit from Estacada. I have traveled some beautiful roads but this ride is one of my favorites and I never get tired of it.
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Reviewed by Guest on September 22, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Jeff
motorcycle_year: 2008
motorcycle_make: Harley-Davidson
motorcycle_type: Sport-Touring
Comment: I went on this ride yesterday, and it was great.. Very light traffic. The scenery was amazing... I wish I would of taken my camera and stopped at the many places to take great pictures.. There are a lot of tight corners and curvy twisties to keep you on your toes.. There are quite a few sneaky pot holes and bumps that will definitely grab your attention.. Overall, it was a great way to spend my afternoon off work!
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Reviewed by Guest on September 12, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: jeff
motorcycle_year: 1978
motorcycle_make: Yamaha
motorcycle_type: Standard
Comment: World class scenery, fishing, camping. South from Detroit is the heart of the Cascades...Sisters, Bend, Crater Lake, Shasta...Watch out for deer at dusk or at night though, of course. From Estacata to Detroit and back is my "default" ride since I live in Sandy...
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Reviewed by Guest on June 4, 2010 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: Rousseau
motorcycle_year: 2007
motorcycle_make: OTHER
motorcycle_type: Sport
Comment: Good ride for a getaway afternoon
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Reviewed by Guest on March 15, 2008 (0 out of 0 members found this review useful.)
Creator: speedfreakmyspace.com/lade1721
motorcycle_year: 2005
motorcycle_make: Suzuki
motorcycle_type: Sport
Comment: note to sport bike riders ( or anyone going at a fast pace ) , imo ,some of those potholes are pretty big ,maybe just seemed bigger at a quick pace .forest rangers in the tahoes DO have radar ,adn CAN issue tickets :( there can also be gravel very late in the year .aswome ride thougth :)
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