A century ride through Oregon’s forested history
Columbia County Challenge
Tualatin Valley,
Ride Ambassador
Length 95 Miles
Difficulty
Challenging i
Despite its location adjacent to Multnomah and Washington counties, Columbia County is a relatively underexplored destination full of small towns (St. Helens is the biggest) known for their forested landscapes and historic connections to the timber industry.
The Columbia County Challenge starts and ends in Vernonia (pop.: 2,151), with a 95-mile stroll in between that takes you from the Coast Range to the Columbia River. OK, we’re kidding about the “stroll” part—this one’s rated as Challenging because you’ll climb a thigh-burning 5,086 feet overall.
Start the ride by heading out of Vernonia for four miles along Highway 47. It’s not the most pleasant of beginnings, frankly, as there’s no wide shoulder and large trucks are common. The good news is that it’s just a few miles and things get much, much better from here.
It starts when your attention shifts from the traffic to your surroundings. Even with the occasional clearcut drawing your eye, you can’t help but get a sense of the boundless wonder of the Northwest forests that early settlers marveled at. “Timber Town” is an honorific in these parts, a proud connection to the industry that launched Oregon and kept going strong for a century and a half. This is where the tall trees grow.
At about mile 15, you’ll enter Camp Wilkerson, the largest park in Columbia County, and a pretty place to camp (there’s a lodge and a few cabins, if tent-camping isn’t your thing).
Continue north for about 12 miles until you pass near Rainier, the small town that was the former home to the Trojan Nuclear Power Plant and offers the only bridge crossing of the Columbia River between Portland and Astoria. Following a gradual descent to the Columbia, you’ll end up in St. Helens, the county seat that is now most famous as the setting for part of the Twilight movie. Check out the old riverfront courthouse, or grab a beer or lunch at Running Dogs Brewery.
From here, you’ll head south until you meet up with the Crown-Zellerbach Trail, which follows an abandoned logging road and railway line that roughly paralleled the highway between Vernonia and Scappoose (yep, another small town). The trail will take you through Douglas-fir forests, from the Multnomah Channel to the Coast Range. Be ready for a variety of terrain: paved asphalt, grass and dirt, gravel roads, and muddy singletrack as you climb back to Vernonia, where dinner awaits at The Black Iron Grill or the Blue House Mediterranean café.
Riding Season
Take the challenge during dry months of the year, to avoid damaging the dirt trails.
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In Oregon, a bicycle is legally considered a vehicle, and the same Oregon road laws apply. Please “be seen” and practice safe riding. Vehicle traffic, farm equipment and narrow shoulders exist on many Oregon roads, and you may find that construction projects, traffic or other events may cause road conditions or signage to differ from the map results, ride descriptions and directions. For travel options plus weather and road conditions, visit tripcheck.com, call 511 (in Oregon only), 800.977.6368 or 503.588.2941. Routes listed on this website are for informational purposes and intended as a reference guide only.
About The
Ambassador
Tualatin Valley
Scenically situated between Portland and the Oregon Coast, Tualatin Valley is an ideal cycling destination. Encompassing 727 square miles, Tualatin Valley offers many miles of bike paths, from urban trails connecting cities to rural paths in the forest. Our bike paths welcome all riders--from the beginner to the advanced--and offers a variety of terrain, including dirt, gravel and paved. Small-town restaurants, breweries and wineries are some of the points of interest to explore here, while lodging is plentiful for visitors. Whether you want a leisurely ride or an invigorating journey, Tualatin Valley will provide fantastic views, enjoyable rides and welcoming hospitality at every stop.