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Geographic region: Willamette Valley, Oregon Coast Range
Municipality/town: Gaston
Route configuration: out-and-back
Distance: 19.0 miles
Min/max elevation: 283’/2,063’
Total ascent: 2,736’
Max grade: 11.6% up/11.6% down
Surface: 19 miles gravel/dirt roads (some larger rocks)
Bikes allowed: yes (gravel or mountain bike recommended)
Obstacles: gate at start, closed to automobile traffic; see permits below
Best months: Best months: spring, summer, fall (higher areas may be covered in snow during the winter)
Permits: recreation permit from Weyerhauser Lumber Company required
Traffic: none on weekends; there may be logging traffic during the weekdays
Feels safe to go alone (my personal comfort level): no. Consider bringing bear spray.
Driving distance from downtown Portland: 38 miles
[Click on buttons above to get route links on Gaia GPS or Ride with GPS]
To get to the start: Locate Cherry Grove, OR. Head south on SW Cherry Grove Dr – go 500’. Turn L on SW South Rd – go 500’. Stay R on SW South Rd – go 0.2 mi. Park on the side of the road just before the bridge crossing the Tualatin River.
Head south on SW South Rd – go ~200’
R on unnamed road (cross over gate) – go 4.9 mi
@0.3 mi: stay R (NW Ford turns L)
@2.1 mi: stay R
@3.2 mi: at 5-way intersection, take 2nd road from R
@3.8 mi: stay L at Y
@4.9 mi: L at Y on Roaring Cr Rd – go 4.4 mi
@5.4 mi: continue straight at 4-way intersection
@5.7 mi: stay R
@6.1 mi: L at Y to stay on Roaring Cr Rd
@6.9 mi: L at Y to stay on Roaring Cr Rd
@7.4 miles, stay straight/R at Y to stay on Roaring Cr Rd (Skyline Rd turns L)
@7.9 mi: L at Y to stay on Roaring Cr Rd
@9.3 mi: cross N Fork Trask Rd/Gales Creek Rd to go see Barney Reservoir up close – go ~0.2 mi
@9.5 mi: turn around and head ~0.2 mi back to cross N Fork Trask Rd/Gales Creek Rd
@9.7 mi: head back on Roaring Cr Rd – go 4.6 mi
@11.8 mi: straight/L to stay on Roaring Cr Rd (Skyline Rd turns R)
@13.4 mi: L at Y
@13.8 mi: continue straight at 4-way intersection
@14.3 mi: R on unnamed road – go 4.7 mi
@16.0 mi: at 5-way intersection, take 2nd road from L
@17.1 mi: L at Y
@18.7 mi: stay straight/L (Ford Rd turns R)
@19.0 mi: L on South Rd – go ~200’
End at 19.0 mi
This is the first of three routes that include Barney Reservoir. When we first did this particular route in August of 2021, there was a gate at the beginning, but it was not restrictive. Since then, the signage at this gate has changed twice, and most recently (January 2023), the sign indicates the area is owned by Weyerhaeuser Lumber Company and that a recreation permit is required to enter. Keep this in mind if you would like to explore this route.
This is an out-and-back course, but because much of it is on un-named roads, it’s wise to leave markers at any area you might think will be confusing on the way back, just to be safe.
This route is quite hilly with some steep bits, but we love the gorgeous, peaceful remoteness of it. The scenery switches from dense forest to panoramic views of the valley and yonder hills. The turn-around is at Barney Reservoir, which includes a short jaunt along the reservoir’s edge just to get a better view of this large body of water.
The way back has more downhill than up, so it should be fairly smooth sailing to the finish.
Geographic region: Willamette Valley, Oregon Coast Range
Municipality/town: Gaston, Yamhill
Route configuration: out-and-back
Distance: 20.7 miles
Min/max elevation: 429’/1,872’
Total ascent: 2,321’
Max grade: 11.2% up/11.2% down
Surface: ~18.5 miles gravel (some larger rocks) road, ~2 miles paved road
Bikes allowed: yes (gravel or mountain bike recommended)
Obstacles: 2 gates (sometimes closed to automobile traffic but pedestrians are allowed to cross)
gate at 0.7 mi (usually open)
gate at 10.0 mi
Best months: spring, summer, fall (higher areas may be covered in snow during the winter)
Permits: none required
Traffic: light on the paved portion of NW Turner Rd; virtually none on the rest on the weekends but there may be logging traffic during the weekdays
Feels safe to go alone (my personal comfort level): Tough call; I'd rather have someone with me! But it doesn't feel as isolated as some other routes.
Driving distance from downtown Portland: 40 miles
[Click on buttons above to get route links on Gaia GPS or Ride with GPS]
To get to the start: Locate Menefee County Park in Yamhill, OR. Park in the parking lot.
Head northwest on NW Turner Creek Rd – go 4.3 mi
@0.7 mi: R at Y (there is a gate but it’s usually open)
@4.3 mi: continue straight (this section of road is unnamed) – go 1.3 mi
@5.6 mi: R at large triangle on NW N Fork Trask Rd – go 2.0 mi
@7.6 mi: straight/L on N Fork Trask Rd/Gales Creek Rd (Roaring Creek Rd turns R) – go 2.2 mi
@9.8 mi: L at Y to wrap around northwest end of Barney Reservoir (or go R at Y if you want to make the route considerably longer as this will take you all the way to Tillamook)
@10.3 mi: turn around and head back on N Fork Trask Rd/Gales Creek Rd – go 2.7 mi
@13.1 mi: straight/R on NW N Fork Trask Rd (Roaring Creek Rd turns L) – go 2.0 mi
@15.1 mi: L at large triangle on unnamed road – go 1.2 mi
@16.3 mi: straight on NW Turner Rd at 4-way intersection – go 4.3 mi
End @20.7 mi
This route starts at a tiny park called Menefee County Park. You will head northwest, and in about three-quarters of a mile, the pavement ends as you come to a gate. This gate may be open or closed, but it does allow for those on foot or bike to cross.
From mile point one to past mile point four, you will be climbing a steep and steady hill. This part winds mostly through forested sections, but near the top you can catch some glimpses of beautiful views of hills and valley through the trees. After reaching the peak of the climb, the rest of the way out is very gently rolling.
A little after the six-mile point, you will start to see bits of Barney Reservoir through the trees to the west. By six-and-a-half miles, you will be bordering the reservoir. Around seven-and-a-half miles, you will get the most open view of the reservoir. You can turn around at any point to head back, though this route will take you to the northwestern end of the reservoir to maximize the views of it.
Geographic region: Willamette Valley farmland, Oregon Coast Range
Municipality/town: Gaston, Yamhill
Route configuration: loop
Distance: 26.4 miles
Min/max elevation: 229’/2,062’
Total ascent: 3,100’
Max grade: 11.1% up/11.7% down
Surface: ~22.5 miles gravel/dirt roads (some larger rocks), ~4 miles paved roads
Bikes allowed: yes (gravel or mountain bike recommended)
Obstacles: 2 gates (closed to automobile traffic but allows pedestrians and bikers to cross):
gate at 3.9 mi in (on Turner Creek Rd) usually open, but may be closed to automobile traffic but allows pedestrians and bikers to cross
gate at intersection of South Rd and unnamed road near Cherry Grove
Best months: spring, summer, fall (higher areas may be covered in snow during the winter)
Permits: sign at junction with South Rd as you are leaving states recreation permit from Weyerhauser Lumber Company required
Traffic: light on the paved portion of NW Turner Creek Rd, virtually none from about mile 4 to mile 20 on the weekends but there may be logging traffic during the weekdays
Feels safe to go alone (my personal comfort level): no. Consider bringing bear spray.
Driving distance from downtown Portland: 37 miles
[Click on buttons above to get route links on Gaia GPS or Ride with GPS]
To get to the start: Locate Pike Cemetery in Yamhill, OR. Park at the intersection of NW Mt Richmond Rd and NW Hacker Rd ~0.2 mi north of the cemetery.
Head west on NW Hacker Rd – go 0.5 mi
@0.5 mi: R on NW Turner Creek Rd – go 7.0 mi
@3.9 mi: R at Y (there is a gate but it’s usually open)
@7.5 mi: continue straight (this section of road is unnamed) – go 1.3 mi
@8.8 mi: R at large triangle on NW N Fork Trask Rd – go 2.0 mi
@10.8 mi: R on Roaring Creek Rd – go 4.6 mi
@11.2 mi: R at Y to stay on Roaring Cr Rd
@14.6 mi: continue straight at 4-way intersection
@15.1 mi: Continue as road changes to unnamed road – go 4.7 mi
@16.8 mi: at 5-way intersection, take 2nd road from L
@20.0 mi: R on South Rd – go 1.7 mi
@21.7 mi: R on NW Mt Richmond Rd – go 4.7 mi
End @26.4 mi
This is a hefty course regarding distance and hilliness, but it’s a beauty. It’s a loop that starts near Yamhill proper, heads through its rural outskirts, then winds through the Coast Range on logging roads to Barney Reservoir. It then rounds back through more of the forest until it meets up with the prolific farmlands of Gaston and Yamhill.
The early portion of the route on NW Turner Creek Road passes by intermittent homes, farms, and pastures, staying fairly flat. Around the four-mile mark, there is a gate to cross (though this is often open), as the road turns into a gravel logging road.
From mile-point three to seven is an earnest uphill climb winding through forest on somewhat chunky gravel at times. Near the peak of this first big hill, you will be rewarded with some beautiful peekaboo views through the trees. At around 9.5 miles, you will start to see glimpses of Barney Reservoir. The next mile and a half or so takes you along the southeast edge of the reservoir.
At 10.8 miles, the route turns away from the reservoir again, heading northeast on Roaring Creek Road. You’re in for a bit of a climb here, but by 12 miles you will start a nine-mile section of mostly downhill to flat road with just a few short uphill sections. Around roughly 14 miles, you will find yourself on a ridge with gorgeous panoramic views of valleys and hills to either side.
You will continue to wind down the logging road until mile 20, where you will need to cross a gate to get onto South Road. After about a mile on South Road, you will start your last decent climb as you you’re your way around the edge of Mt. Richmond. Your climbing muscles may be a bit tired by this point, but soak in the gorgeous scenery as you will soon by rolling down to the finish.
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