The Ride: Columbia County’s Burn Road Loop traces pioneer history

Jonathan Maus (Publisher/Editor)

10 years ago

Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Steeped in Oregon pioneer history and beloved by locals,
I cherished the chance to ride Burn Road.
(Photos J. Maus/BikePortland)

This is part of my coverage from a recent stay at the Coastal Mountain Sport Haus, an inn and lodge located in Vernonia that caters to bicycle riding guests.

After riding the Beaver Falls Loop for the first time on Saturday, I was already smitten with the riding possibilities in Columbia County. Then the next day, my hosts at the Coastal Mountain Sport Haus — Glen and Sandy Crinklaw — led me on another one of their favorite rides: The Burn Road Loop.

There are several attributes of a route that will get me instantly excited. Riding empty gravel/dirt roads in new areas always ramps up my anticipation, and the Burn Road route promised a special added element that made me even more eager to hop on my saddle. According to Glen and Sandy, Burn Road has been around since pioneer days. Back when the area was nothing but logging camps and homesteads, Burn was the main connection between the burgs Mist, Keasey and the larger destinations of Vernonia and Forest Grove.

A chance to ride through Oregon history? Heck yes.

Adding to Burn Road’s stature in my mind was how local residents recently rallied to save it from becoming owned by a logging company. In May of last year, Weyerhaeuser asked Columbia County to “vacate” the road in hopes they could take it over. (The road is actively used by logging trucks, but it’s a County right-of-way. Glen Crinklaw, who works in the County’s public works department, said Burn is a rare County-owned road due to it’s length and unimproved (gravel) state.)

The Columbia County Commission was all set to sign off on the Weyerhaeuser deal. But then, “Locals in Mist and Keasey, and the older generation came out of the woodwork to oppose it,” Glen shared. “They said, ‘This is our heritage.'” Glen added that the “surprising level of passion” for the road ultimately led the Commission to turn down the deal.

Sandy Crinklaw joined us on Sunday. She grew up in this area and as we rode she shared stories about how her family used to picnic along these roads when she was a young girl.

Suffice it to say, as a city kid who loves backcountry cycling, I was stoked to discover Oregon’s past on such a cool and historic road. Check out more photos and notes from our ride below…

The view of Saddle Mountain (which overlooks Seaside toward the west).

Sandy and Glen Crinklaw ride by the Natal School. Established in 1909, and just down the road from the Sport Haus, it’s where Sandy’s grandma once attended classes.

The road is as lush and green as you can imagine this time of year and it’s criss-crossed by stream and creeks.

Burn Road ends at Keasey Road, where you make a left and head into downtown Vernonia. Keasey Rd is amazing. Covered by a tree canopy, quiet, empty and windy — near perfection for cycling. It’s even dotted with old barns and if you keep your eyes peeled you’ll even see the beautiful (and fully intact) Keasey homestead.

This was a fantastic loop! Made even better with Sandy and Glen from the Coastal Mountain Sporthaus as my guides. About 40 miles, most all of it gravel… Creeks, river, views. Wow!

I highly recommend this loop! And if you’re looking for a great base camp to do this and all the other excellent riding in the area, consider staying at Glen and Sandy’s Coastal Mountain Sport Haus. And check out our archives for more photos and coverage of riding in Columbia County.