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Central
Oregon:
West Cascades Scenic Byway
Length:
220 miles / 352.0 km
Time to Allow: Allow at least 7 to 8 hours to tour this Byway.
Fees: You will need to buy a day pass to access some of the
park.
Driving
Directions: There are several ways to access this Byway
From
Portland: Travel south to Milwaukee (located at the southeast side
of Portland) and take SR 224 east to Eagle Creek, and then head
south to Estacada. This is the northernmost access to the scenic
Byway.
From
the south: Exit I-5 just south of Eugene and travel southeast on
Highway 58. Just before the city of Oakridge, turn north toward
Westfir where the Byway begins.
From
Eugene: Take the Highway 126 east exit from Interstate 5. Continue
east on Highway 126 to Blue River. Continue 5 miles, where you then
enter the Byway. You can either turn south on Forest Road 19 or
continue on Highway 126 to travel north.
From
Salem: Take Highway 22 east and travel through Mill City and Gates.
Continue to Detroit Lake, and then you can either turn north at
the junction of Forest Road 46 or continue south on Highway 22 to
travel the Byway.
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Detroit
Lake
© Photo courtesy of Willamette National Forest
North Santiam River
© Photo courtesy of Mt. Hood National Forest
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 Description
Take this 220-mile scenic alternative route between Portland and Eugene
and discover some of the best "up-close and personal" views of thundering
waterfalls, lush ancient forests, rushing whitewater and cool, placid
lakes.
The West
Cascades Scenic Byway intersects major routes like I-5 or Highway 97,
so you can adjust your trip to enjoy shorter bits of the Byway. The Byway
ends near the timber towns of Westfir and Oakridge.
Begin in
the historic logging and hydropower city of Estacada, located only 40
minutes from Portland. From the very start, you will find yourself immersed
in old-growth forest, skimming the edge of the breathtaking Clackamas
River.
From here,
wind your way through the western Cascades and their breathtaking snowcapped
volcanic peaks.
Two segments
of the West Cascades Scenic Byway - Forest Roads 46 and 19 - may be closed
in the winter due to snow, but the rest can take you to a wide range of
winter recreation. The Byway supports facilities to suit sports enthusiasts
of all kinds, from the most primitive and rustic services, to the most
elaborate and developed enterprises.
Places
to Visit:
Box Canyon - Built in 1933 by the Civilian Conservation Corp, the Box
Canyon Guard Station is available as a summer rental to visitors.
Breitenbush
Hot Springs Retreat and Conference Center - Breitenbush Center is a privately
owned resort in a sylvan old growth forest setting. Open year-round, this
unique resort offers hot springs, a sweat lodge, and a variety of workshops.
Cougar Reservoir
- When full, Cougar Reservoir stretches for 6 miles and covers 1,280 acres.
The dam, located at the north end of the reservoir, was completed in 1963.
It is the tallest rock-filled dam in Oregon. The view from alongside the
reservoir provides outstanding vistas into the French Pete addition to
the Three Sisters Wilderness Area.
Source:
© National Scenic Byways / U.S. Department of Transportation
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