Central Oregon/Aufderheide Highway Drive Report

[Nat]

I'm pretty content with my nearly-stock WRX, so I don't have much to contribute in terms of discussing ECU flashes, bigger turbos, downpipes, and such. 1/4 mile timed runs, launches, rolling starts, and track days aren't really on my agenda either, so how do I share my enthusiasm for this car? How about by showing what I like to do with it.

Today I drove a big loop of central Oregon starting and finishing in Bend. It was around 300 miles, 7 hours, mid 70 degree range, sunny skies. Gorgeous.

http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=e...67676&z=9&om=1

I started by heading up the Cascade Lakes Highway., which takes one past numerous cool, clear lakes. The mountain range is formed by old volcanoes, and some are still active.

Pic 0077 is Mt. Bachelor, where I like to snowboard in the winter. This new car should do a great job getting me up there when it's snowy.

Pic 0079 shows part of a huge field of lava rock. Good thing the lava flow stopped right before it crossed the highway! [wink]

[Nat]

This is a huge waterfall I saw along the way, named Salt Creek Falls (IIRC).

[Nat]

From the town of Westfir you head north on a small, winding, curvalicious highway that punches its way through huge old growth forest for around 60 miles. It's named the Aufderheide Highway and is a "recreational highway." How cool is that? A recreational highway! Some of the canopy is so thick that it felt like driving through a tree tunnel.

[kiger0183]

Great pics!!! I just got back from Portland about an hour ago. I love your state! So much beauty and it's so GREEN!

The 75 degree temp was a nice alternative to the 105 we have in Utah!

[Nat]

I followed the McKenzie River over Santiam Pass. The pointy mountain is Mt. Washington. Also is a panorama of the central Cascade Range (we drove around that range today) as I rolled back into Bend.

Thanks for looking.

p.s., If there is a way to post pics so they open automatically rather than making you click on them, please teach me how.

[Impreza WRX]

I followed the McKenzie River over Santiam Pass. The pointy mountain is Mt. Washinton. Also is a panorama of the central Cascade Range (we drove around that range today) as I rolled back into Bend.

Thanks for looking.

p.s., If there is a way to post pics so they open automatically rather than making you click on them, please teach me how.

I hate Florida

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v1...dfasdfasdf.jpg

[infox]

Aufderheide > * , I never had time to fully complete it, good 8~hrs to get there and back but from what little I did it was truely amazing, never thought roads existed like this around these parts. I'm going to plan a weekend to head down there and do the whole thing, another good run is FS 25 in WA it starts in Randle, WA off hwy 12 and goes straight down to hwy 14 through ST Helens etc, NON STOP TWISTIES FTW!!

[Nat]

Thanks guys. What was also really nice was that on the Aufderheide I could run with the windows wide open the whole way. The temperature was so mild and I could smell different foliage along the way, with fern smell for a couple of miles, then cedar smell followed by pine. Little leaves were dropping every once in awhile from the canopy and small waterfalls were along the shoulder of the road...it was right out of a car commercial.

[smorris]

Wonderful, Nat! That's exactly what this forum was created for. Your presentation with the map and photos is fantastic!

Thanks for participating.
Steve

[Nat]

Wonderful, Nat! That's exactly what this forum was created for. Your presentation with the map and photos is fantastic!

Thanks for participating.
Steve

Cool, I'm glad you enjoyed it. I also participate on a mountain biking messageboard and there we do "ride reports" all the time. It's similar in format; lots of pics and descriptions, but I didn't see too much of that here. I think it's a great way to give everyone the stoke, don't you think?

Since I drive many fun roads to get to lots of great biking spots, I was thinking of doing a combined drive/ride report next time with links to the other boards. A little spirited driving, a little spirited biking...that's my idea of a great day.

Nat

[Black Pearl]

Im from Eugene, and I am familiar with all those roads in the pictures,I also go boarding at Bachlor, although I havent gotten to drive them yet in my WRX since I just got it couple weeks ago, but looking forward to it. Any road that either goes over the Sanitam pass or the Will pass is great all time of the year.

[johnnypneumonic]

nat, sweet pictures. makes me want to move to bend even more than i did. boarding and mountain biking is probably killer out there. im jealous. i love those six spoke stockers.

[infox]

went down there about 3 weeks ago, road is still a mess... trees all over the road and once you get about 20~ miles in its completely snow covered still

[wildbill]

I followed the McKenzie River over Santiam Pass. The pointy mountain is Mt. Washington. Also is a panorama of the central Cascade Range (we drove around that range today) as I rolled back into Bend.

Thanks for looking.

p.s., If there is a way to post pics so they open automatically rather than making you click on them, please teach me how.

Cool thread nat. If you're still around...

put your url between these image tags [img][/img] and your pics will post automatically. I sold the C-4 and am getting an 04 wrx wagon tomorrow. I pretty stoked and am planning that run this summer.

ha, was gonna post a pic of said vette but, I have to have three posts... Fuggin newbs anyhow.

[Token`]

Wow.. living in LA all your life makes you forget places like that still existed.