Oregon's Mountains

OR: Southern Cascade Range Region, Douglas County, Cascades Crest, Hwy 138 Corridor, Diamond Lake, View over Diamond Lake to Mount Theisen [Ask for #279.024.]

View over Diamond Lake to Mount Theisen, on the Cascades Crest. [Ask for #279.024.]

The Coast Range stretches the length of Oregon, thirty-five to fifty miles wide and never more than a couple of miles from the coast. Elevations aren't very high by Western standards; they range from 1,500 feet in the north to 5,400 feet near the south. Gradients, however, are extremely steep, as its rivers cut through soft sedimentary rock. The Cacade Range start forty miles east of the Coast Range, on the far side of the valley that includes Portland, Salem, Eugene, and Roseburg. Elevations can top ten thousand feet on its eastern edge, and active glaciers exist on the highest peaks.

Mountain scenery is glorious and dramatic, and easily reached by paved back roads. BlogPacifica is the only detailed guide to these back roads, so we're making it as comprehensive as possible. This includes maps; you'll find our maps to be the only accurate set on the Internet. We've checked out every single road in an ordinary passenger car, and verified that they are all driveable without any special clearance or four wheel drive. (Although some are more adventurous than others!)

The West Slope of the Cascades The Cascades Range stretches from northern California, across the length of Oregon, then across the length of Washington State and into British Columbia, and about 130 miles inland. It's actually the northern extent of the Sierra Nevadas, but nearly drowned by an incredible lava flow about 55 million years ago, a flow that stretched across Idaho and blotted the sun out enough to turn the Earth into a slush ball and create a mass extinction. Like the Sierras far to the south, it has a steep eastern slope lined by cliffs and a gentle western slope cut into canyons. Here's what the West Slope looks like. OR: Douglas County, Cascades Western Slopes, North Umpqua Valley, Soda Springs, Basalt columns loom over the North Umpqua River [Ask for #277.201.]	View across the North Umpqua River towards Eagle Rock and OR 138 bridge. [Ask for #279.147.] The West Slope of the Cascades
Smith River Road This 85 mile backroad wanders through a remote, heavily forested part of the Coast Range between Roseburg and I-5. The Smith River itself takes up 79 of those miles, and this road follows it closely. It is paved throughout, and has some fine side roads worth exploring. Lower Smith River Road passes through North Fork Community. Coast Range in Douglas County, Oregon. [Ask for #276.025.]	The mountains above the Smith River Gorge, center on a peak known as Roman Nose. Coast Range in Douglas County, Oregon. [Ask for #276.792.] Smith River Road
The Elliott State Forest The spectacular Elliot State Forest takes up 140 squares miles between Coos Bay and Reedsport. A network of good gravel roads includes a 49 mile scenic loop along its ridgetops. Wide views from the Elliott State Forest's Ridgetop Drive at Cougar Pass, as it passes over clear cuts. Coast Range in Douglas County, Oregon. [Ask for #274.518.]	The Elliott State Forest's scenic Ridgetop Drive runs through a Douglas Fir forest. Coast Range in Douglas County, Oregon. [Ask for #274.608.] The Elliott section has four pages for an in-depth look of this little visited area. About the Elliott State Forest The Ridgetop Scenic Loop Side roads to the Millacoma River Side roads to the outside world
BLM's Camp Creek Area This little known area has one of the finest waterfalls in the Coast Range, along with ten miles of sandstone canyon, a fine view, and a very odd bridge. Camp Creek Falls, a waterfall in the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Camp Creek Area. Coast Range, Douglas County, Oregon [Ask for #276.979.]	Lower portions of Camp Creek Road pass along the bottom of a cliff-lined gorge, in this Bureau of Land Management (BLM) tract. Coast Range, Douglas County, Oregon [Ask for #274.637.] There is one page about the Camp Creek area: Camp Creek
Golden and Silver Falls State Park Located outside the city of Coos Bay, this park features two waterfalls that flow over cliffs, set in an old forest grove. Silver Falls, in Golden and Silver Falls State Park. [Ask for #271.136.]	Golden Falls, in Golden and Silver Falls State Park. [Ask for #276.943.] There is one page about the Golden and Silver Falls area: Golden and Silver Falls State Park
The Old Coos Bay Wagon Road One of the state's most historic and beautiful roads, crossing the Coast Range between Coos Bay and Roseburg, has hardly changed since it was the only road linking Coos Bay with the outside world. The Old Coos Bay Wagon Road passes along rock cliffs at the eastern edge of Sitkum. Coast Range, Coos County, Oregon. [Ask for #276.272.]	A waterfall on the East Fork Coquille River in Brewster Canyon, as viewed from the Old Wagon Road. Coast Range in Coos County, Oregon. [Ask for #274.233.] There are two pages on the Wagon Road, one on its history and another describing the drive, including directions. About The Old Wagon Road Touring the Scenic Old Wagon Road
Mountains of the Old Wagon Road The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) maintains a network of paved public roads throughout the mountains that flank the Old Wagon Road. These roads can be connected to form a fine scenic loop surrounding the Old Wagon Road. A paved BLM road gives wide views, here from the top of a clearcut. Coast Range in Coos County, Oregon. [Ask for #274.112.]	A BLM road sign marks the beginning of a paved forest road. [Ask for #274.123.] There are three pages describing these roads, one giving a description and maps, one tracing out a 68 mile scenic loop (easily extended), and one describing some of the more interesting side roads. About the Mountains of the Old Wagon Road A Scenic Loop of the Mountains of The Wagon Road. Side Roads of the Old Wagon Road's Mountains
The Sixes and Elk Rivers East of Cape Blanco the Sixes River and the Elk River drain the Coast Range. Both are beautiful but their characters are different. While the Sixes is exploited by loggers and gold miners, the Elk runs through cliffs on the borders of two wilderness areas. A sign marks a gold mining claim along the Sixes River. Coast Range in Curry County, Oregon. [Ask for #277.008.]	The Sixes River Road gives views towards cliff bound Mount Avery. Coasst Range in Curry County, Oregon.[Ask for #277.014.] There is one page about the Sixes and Elk Rivers: Sixes River and Elk River
The Rogue River Area The Rogue River Gorge is the premier recreation region in the Coast Range, popular with rafters and kayakers. Campers, fishermen, and swimmers drive out onto its extensive gravel bars; further upstream, the cliff-sided gorge splits a major recreation area. Remote corners hide several striking historic sites. Mature Douglas fir forests cover the higher elevations of this Forest Service scenic byway. Rogue River Area in the Coast Range, Curry County, Oregon. [Ask for #274.715.]	Pioneer Museum, a restored log cabin in Powers Community, just north of the Rogue River Area in the Coast Range, Coos County, Oregon [Ask for #277.048.] There is one page about the Rogue River area: The Rogue River Area
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