SeeingtheSights

Hello all.

I see there are several routes between the two, but which is the most scenic in your opinion? The most to see?

We'll be staying in Bend overnight, so we'll have all day to make the drive over, so time isn't a big consideration.

The Columbia Gorge and Mt. Hood will be done on another day, so that isn't a consideration for this drive either.

Thanks for the info!

Fodorite018

I really like the drive from Salem through Detroit and Sisters over to Bend. Very scenic and you can stop in Sisters and check out that little town.

happytrailstoyou

We like Portland to Hood River or The Dalles and then from Hood River or The Dalles to Bend.

SeeingtheSights

Maybe I should add that on this drive, we'd like to get a flavor for the desert scenery? Which from what I read is east of the Cascade Mtns?

I think both of these routes sort of go through that area?

mms, sisters looks like a cute town!

happytrails, on your route, do you take highway 26 out of Government camp on Mt. Hood? From The Dalles, do you go through highway 197 through Maupin?

hopingtotravel

Go out from Portland and turn at Wood Village. Go through Sandy and Government Camp. From Government Camp to Warm Springs is beautiful. Out on the plateau you should get views of Mt. Jefferson.

I used to drive this regularly. Pedal to the metal is was around 2 hrs 47 1/2 minutes one way.

Going through The Dalles or Salem either one adds a good hour to your trip.

If you want to see Sisters (and it's not on fire from a forest fire) it's a short drive from Bend.

enzian

We have been all 3 routes and they are all quite scenic. But to save time, we now go over the south shoulder of Mt. Hood, through Government Camp, on the route describes by hopingtotravel. This one gives you a good sampling of mountain and high desert scenery. It is shorter because it takes the diagonal.

Be sure and stop at the rest stop on Hwy 97 immediately after you cross a bridge over a gorge---it might be the Smith River? Hopefully someone will know the name of this spot.

Fodorite018

The OP is already seeing the gorge and Mt. Hood another day, so if this were me, I would want a different route for different scenery.

I do not care for the route through Maupin. Just my personal opinion though.

Seeingthesights, don't worry about getting desert scenery as that is what you will see all in and around Bend.

pdx

I'm with enzian. Take hwy 26 over mt hood and stop at the rest stop at the little crack in the world. it's a family ritual. it's one of the best parts of the trip. get out of the car and walk to the wall that keeps you from falling into the hole in the earth. if it's hot ouside and the sprinklers are on, so much the better, that's icing on the cake. the drive between portland and bend is one of the best drives you will ever take. it's a perfect 2-3 hour trip, not too long, not too short, you go up into the mountains and come down into the desert and feel the change in the air, the temperature and humidity, the smell of the pines. the pines themselves are beautiful red-gold and sparse. it's a beautiful trip. another ritual, cascading grains pancakes at the alpenglow cafe in the old town. mm-mmmm!

SeeingtheSights

Thanks for the great advice to all.

This hole in the earth and rest stop on 97, would it be The Peter Skene Ogden State Scenic Viewpoint?

enzian

Yes---that's it. All I could remember is that it starts with an "O". Nice work finding it!

pdx

It has a name?!!!?? I'll be darned! It'll forever be that-rest-stop-on-the other-side-of-Mt Hood, I'm sure.