PNW friends - Troutdale to Hood River?

[Pax]

Hi Sue, I know nothing of that area, just wanted to say Welcome Back!!

[sookiesue]

Thanks, Pax!

Hi Sue, I know nothing of that area, just wanted to say Welcome Back!!

[north woods gal]

Did live in Portland for a time and made it up to Troutdale and that area via a car, but never bicycled it. Really miss the area. Would love to hear about your trip if you're willing to share.

[smilingcat]

There has been lot of upgrades and refurbishing of the trails to parkdale area so I can't be much of a help. I know that you DON'T have to go on I84. check with bikeportland.org and they should be to help you plan your trip or at the very least get you connected to those who know. My house is in Troutdale.

[sookiesue]

There has been lot of upgrades and refurbishing of the trails to parkdale area so I can't be much of a help. I know that you DON'T have to go on I84. check with bikeportland.org and they should be to help you plan your trip or at the very least get you connected to those who know. My house is in Troutdale.

Excellent - thanks for the tip!

[sookiesue]

Update - I never heard back from BikePortland.org, but I found a friend who had cycled from PDX to Hood River. Turns out there's no good way at this time to avoid riding on I-84. Feeling a little sketchy about trying that route on a busy holiday weekend, I opted to wait until we got to Hood River and then do a ride from there and end up at our campsite in Parkdale. As well-laid plans tend to do, this plan went awry and I ended up doing a shorter ride that afternoon from Parkdale part way up the Lost Lake Road, and then back to the campsite with a little detour up Cooper Spur Road. Some good climbs, and the downhills felt REALLY good in the 85ish degree heat! On our last day, I ended up riding out of Parkdale and down to Hood River, over to the Mosier Twin Tunnels trail, and out to the Rowena Crest viewpoint, then back into Hood River for a total of about 45 miles. Wow. Gorgeous - no pun intended : ) Stunning views of the Gorge and a lovely ride. Pretty hilly, but nothing terribly steep or long, just consistent hills. A great way to end a lovely weekend.
Ah...summer in Oregon is here! (she types as the rain starts to fall)