Author Topic: Pacific Coast Section 2, Netarts, Three Capes Scenic Route, Cape Meares  (Read 36133 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline penorman

Others have noted the same thing, but I would like to point out that the original Three Capes Route over Cape Meares is open to bikes.  The official ACA advice is to take an alternative route over the Ekloff road.  That route is OK, but the original route over Cape Meares is more scenic and has low (in some places no) traffic.    There is a rideable packed gravel section of about 100 feet and two of 25 feet in the section that is closed to cars.  I was there today (8/12/2018) to verify.   Ekloff Road has a lot more gravel and is considerably less scenic.  The road south from Tillamook to the Ekloff Road is not particularly pleasant.

I see lots of bikers riding the dangerous section of Highway 131 toward Netarts -- some of them probably because of the impression that the route over Cape Meares is closed. 
« Last Edit: August 12, 2018, 03:58:04 pm by penorman »

Offline KKTice

Re: Netarts, Three Capes Scenic Route, Cape Meares
« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2018, 10:13:30 pm »
I rode the 3 Capes July 31,and it was great.   


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Using Tapatalk

Offline mmoser

Re: Pacific Coast Section 2, Netarts, Three Capes Scenic Route, Cape Meares
« Reply #2 on: August 24, 2018, 01:20:01 pm »
Tillamook County officials say that the area is closed to bikes because the landslide area is still unstable and continually sliding. So Adventure Cycling cannot recommend going that way.  Ride at your own risk.
**********************
Melissa Moser
GIS Analyst/Cartographer
Routes Dept.
Adventure Cycling Association
Inspiring and empowering people to travel by bicycle.
www.adventurecycling.org

Offline jrswenberger

Re: Pacific Coast Section 2, Netarts, Three Capes Scenic Route, Cape Meares
« Reply #3 on: August 24, 2018, 07:14:47 pm »
My wife and I have ridden the closed route fairly regularly since the closure. While Adventure Cycling can't officially recommend it, we certainly can!
ACA Life Member 368

Offline tsteven4

Re: Pacific Coast Section 2, Netarts, Three Capes Scenic Route, Cape Meares
« Reply #4 on: October 08, 2018, 02:21:18 pm »
We rode the original route on Cape Meares 9/15/2018, and it has some of the best riding on the PC.  Southbound the perhaps unofficial sign at the start indicates "Bikes OK".


Offline JHamelman

Re: Pacific Coast Section 2, Netarts, Three Capes Scenic Route, Cape Meares
« Reply #5 on: October 09, 2018, 09:17:00 am »
FYI: Funds have been secured to repair this roadway. I believe the timeframe is that construction will occur Summer 2020.

Tillamook County has a projects page for more information: http://www.co.tillamook.or.us/gov/pw/Projects.htm

Jennifer
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Jennifer Hamelman

Adventure Cycling Association
Inspiring and empowering people to travel by bicycle.
800/755-2453, 406/721-1776 x205
www.adventurecycling.org

Follow Routes & Mapping on Twitter: @acaroutes

Offline jrswenberger

Re: Pacific Coast Section 2, Netarts, Three Capes Scenic Route, Cape Meares
« Reply #6 on: November 24, 2018, 12:02:29 am »
From a purely selfish cyclist perspective,  I hope it doesn't get fixed for a long time.  This short stretch of car-free roadway on the Oregon Coast is such a nice respite from motorists in a hurry to stop at their next photo op.
ACA Life Member 368

Offline penorman

Re: Pacific Coast Section 2, Netarts, Three Capes Scenic Route, Cape Meares
« Reply #7 on: September 13, 2019, 05:40:43 pm »
I went out today to verify that the "closed" section of the Three Cape Scenic Route over Cape Meares is still rideable.  It is.  The only difficulty is 150 feet of hard-packed gravel that you will probably not even dismount for.  By taking this route over Cape Meares you add 5 miles of beautiful riding right on the shore of Tillamook Bay, The Cape Meares Lighthouse, the spectacular and iconic view of Netarts Bay, and the quaint towns of Oceanside and Netarts.  All this riding is on low-traffic or no-traffic roads.  Truly some of the best on the Oregon Coast Bike Route.

The State recommends staying on 101 through Tillamook and turning right on Sand Lake Road.  This is mostly safe except for a perilous short section of 101, fewer miles, less effort, and very boring.  The ACA recommends taking Tillamook River Road south from Tillamook then Ekloff road.  This adds 10 times as much riding on gravel than going over Cape Meares, with the added benefit of meeting logging trucks on a narrow road.  Because of the Cape Meares "closure" many cyclists just take State 131 from Tillamook to Netarts Bay -- a very dangerous section that has claimed the life of one experienced touring cyclist.

The Cape Meares route could become impassable if the slide progresses this winter.  And at some point it may be under construction.  But at the moment, and for the last 6 years, it is very passable.

Offline JHamelman

Re: Pacific Coast Section 2, Netarts, Three Capes Scenic Route, Cape Meares
« Reply #8 on: September 16, 2019, 12:29:09 pm »
The ACA recommends taking Tillamook River Road south from Tillamook then Ekloff road.  This adds 10 times as much riding on gravel than going over Cape Meares, with the added benefit of meeting logging trucks on a narrow road. 

Do you have personal experience of this logging activity? I don't doubt it has occurred. It's just that the route doesn't appear to be on either state or national forest land. Knowing how recent logging activity was noticed may help us figure out who it is and how long it will last.



Quote
Because of the Cape Meares "closure" many cyclists just take State 131 from Tillamook to Netarts Bay -- a very dangerous section that has claimed the life of one experienced touring cyclist.


For what it's worth, on the 2018 version of the map, we do have a note warning cyclists NOT to take SR 131 any longer.




Best,
Jennifer

*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Jennifer Hamelman

Adventure Cycling Association
Inspiring and empowering people to travel by bicycle.
800/755-2453, 406/721-1776 x205
www.adventurecycling.org

Follow Routes & Mapping on Twitter: @acaroutes

Offline penorman

Re: Pacific Coast Section 2, Netarts, Three Capes Scenic Route, Cape Meares
« Reply #9 on: September 16, 2019, 02:29:24 pm »
The logging along the Ekloff Road is on private forest land.  Simpson I believe.  It has been very active in recent years, but I'm not sure how active it is right now.  I should have mentioned that all the clear cuts have opened some great views from the Ekloff Road.

Good on ACA to recommend against SR 131.  It is truly dangerous, but still frequently used by touring cyclists.

Offline JHamelman

Re: Pacific Coast Section 2, Netarts, Three Capes Scenic Route, Cape Meares
« Reply #10 on: September 16, 2019, 04:20:36 pm »
Thanks for the pointer on Simpson Lumber as a place to start.

Jennifer
*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*_*

Jennifer Hamelman

Adventure Cycling Association
Inspiring and empowering people to travel by bicycle.
800/755-2453, 406/721-1776 x205
www.adventurecycling.org

Follow Routes & Mapping on Twitter: @acaroutes

Offline penorman

Just an update that as of May 22 2020 the section of the Cape Meares loop that is closed to cars is still very bikeable and still a more scenic, safer, and more enjoyable route than the alternatives.  It is still not on the official ACA map because they properly defer to the local closure determination.

Offline jamawani

Many, many years ago there was a single hiker/biker campsite at Cape Meares.
Nobody seems to remember this. I think it was my 1988 trip when I stayed there.
Since it is a day-use park, you had the entire cape to yourself in the middle of the night.
Ocean, cliffs, stars - and just you.

Sadly, I think liability and risk of vandalism caused Oregon Parks to eliminate this campsite.

Offline penorman

Re: Pacific Coast Section 2, Netarts, Three Capes Scenic Route, Cape Meares
« Reply #13 on: March 21, 2023, 10:31:51 am »
Construction is underway on a new bypass and I believe that the old road over Cape Meares is now officially closed to bikes.  So best to not attempt the Three Capes Scenic Route, consistent with ACA advice.  The new road is scheduled to be complete by October.