Motorcycle Riding Sherars Bridge to Cascade Cliffs Winery
Motorcycle Riding Sherars Bridge to Cascade Cliffs Winery
This is a great ride in North Central Oregon and the Columbia Gorge! We took off early in beautiful warm sunny weather and rode to Grass Valley, Or to begin our journey off the beaten path on the old Sherars Bridge Hwy now known as Hwy 216 west to Maupin. This highway travels through wheat fields in Sherman County and into the Deschutes River Valley of Wasco County eventually following along the Deschutes River to Maupin, Or.
Leaving Grass Valley
This is approaching a major descent on the Sherars Bridge Hwy into the Deschutes River Recreation area. Click here for some video of the descent and a complete google map of this ride.
The Beautiful Deschutes River
Riding along the Deschutes at this time of year you find several fisherman camping and fishing along the banks of the river. It's very peaceful and scenic. Later when the rafting season begins it becomes a different place altogether. High energy fun and loads of people playing in the river and on the banks.
Grain Tower at Maupin on the Deschutes River
I really should have gotten some more pictures in Maupin, it is a pretty town and when the River Rafters are busy it's really something to see. We rode through mid morning and Rafting season hasn't begun yet so it was very quiet. They have a few good markets and places to grab some lunch if you come through at that time of day now but when the rafting starts there are a lot more options. Maybe I'll have to blog that scene another day.
Leaving Maupin we headed north on Hwy 197 toward Dufur and The Dalles, OR.
Then it was time for lunch. This time we stopped at Rivertap Pub in The Dalles.
This place is always yum! Check out my review on Google Maps
We've been to Rivertap many times and it's a great spot for dinner and drinks as well as lunch. They have great live music too!
After lunch we decided to take a loop around Mosier OR before crossing the Columbia River at The Dalles Bridge.
This is an area that crosses the natural tree line from high desert into the low foothills of the Cascade Range. I took this picture not long after we crested the top of Seven Mile Road and started down the other side. Notice the evergreen trees beginning to show up?
On the way to Mosier I took a little video coming over the top of Seven Mile Hill. You can see it here.
The Dalles to Mosier, OR
The post office at Mosier, OR
We turned back toward The Dalles and eventually crossed the Columbia River at The Dalles, Or.
The Dalles Dam on the Columbia River
We continued east on the other side of the river on Hwy 14 also known as The Lewis & Clark Hwy. There is an Historical Marker just on the left of the junction of Hwy 197 and Hwy 14 where we turned east.
This is a beautiful State Park with a great display of ancient petroglyphs you can ride right down to by the river. It has wonderful parking. No hiking required.
Columbia River, Horsethief Lake and Columbia Hills State Park
Horsethief Butte
There are some great hiking and parking areas at Horsethief Butte. Click here for a video of riding through Horsethief Butte and the approach to the winery.
And so our journey ends at an exceptional winery. Cascade Cliffs sells their wines nearly exclusively to club members and those who stop by the winery or their tasting room in Hood River. You won't find these wines in your local grocery store. We like to stop by to have a tasting and grab a bottle to bring home occasionally. Ask them about the Indian petroglyphs on their property and nearby!
I hope you've enjoyed this adventure. I know we really had a great time! Let me know if you get out to enjoy any of these areas. I would love to hear what you think of them!
Safe Riding!
~Melisa
