Bacona Backroads

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Portland - Banks, OR, US

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Route Overview

Unpaved

Picking up where the Goonies left off

75 mi.

5,780 ft.

Experience the old gravel roads, lost connections and forgotten homesteads of Washington County.

Gearing: 34 x 28
Tire: 32c+
Bike: Cross or Gravel

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Route Details

This route has something for everyone -- as long as everyone likes adventure. This isn't an easy ride. The climbs, distance and gravel make for a hard day. You shouldn't even think of attempting this route without a solid GPS. Though you're not far from civilization, you will certainly feel like you are.

There are two different possible start locations. Like most of my routes, I ride it from central Portland, however you can cut off some of the commute by starting in North Plains at mile 13. Another great option is to start at the @photo[Skyline Tavern](734557) as listed as the start point of the route. Regardless of how you start the ride, no matter how much or how little you do, it is all top quality.

The coast range of Oregon is a wild place where most access is determined by a spiderweb of gravel logging roads that shift year to year. Maps aren't consistent and having a 'what if plan' is a necessity to riding there. This route skirts along the western edge of the northern coast range. You can ride pioneer wagon roads and still sleep in your own bed. Not a bad deal.

From the Skyline Tavern, drop down Germantown road and head out into the Helvetia farm lands towards North Plains. You begin the route in earnest after crossing highway 26. A @photo[long flat gravel farm road](729973) will get you close to the first climb.

NW Strohmayer is such an interesting road. It starts off winding through hazelnut orchards, climbs up, drops down, turns to gravel, has amazing views of Mt. Hood... In short, Strohmayer is a complete route unto itself. It's just the beginning.

At the junction of Timmerman road, you'll hang a right and drop down a steep short gravel descent. Watch your speed on this as you can really get flying very quickly. Cross highway 6, and head out past the No Outlet sign. This is where the adventure begins.

*"The original road from Bacona to Buxton exceeded a 20-percent grade along many sections. The road was so steep and rough that members of the Bacona community petitioned Washington County to improve the road. In winter the community was accessible only by sleigh. When a member of the community died a coffin was brought up the mountain, but not without mishap. The sleigh tipped over and the coffin slide 30 feet into a deep ravine."*

Source: [Jim Thayer](http://www.foresthiker.com/)

The road is much nicer now.

Probably.

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Bacona Backroads

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