Ok all you Portland to Vanc. bikers. Question.

[dahoos78]

So I'm planning out my commute originally starting in Gresham and going to Vancouver area (off of 205 on St. Johns St.)

I think I may take the Max to the 205 interchange station and maybe take the red line towards the airport to get a head start...but even if I don't and I chose to take the Spring Water Corridor to the 205 parallel trail how do I get to that center lane across 205? Maybe I'll just have to ride it to find it....but when driving 205 all of a sudden the center trail comes out of nowhere, obiously up a hill to the bridge....but from where?

And then once on the other side in WA it seems to dip back down and then disappear. Somehow I need to keep heading north to Padden Pkwy. Any suggestions would help. I may just need to jump on my bike and hope for the best on a test run. Thanks.

[andrew]

Originally Posted by dahoos78

how do I get to that center lane across 205? Maybe I'll just have to ride it to find it....but when driving 205 all of a sudden the center trail comes out of nowhere, obiously up a hill to the bridge....but from where?

If you're coming on the bike trail from the intersection of Sandy and the I-205 on-ramp, look for the entrance to the Glen Jackson Bridge bike trail basically right across from (and above) the Home Depot parking lot. Someone else may be able to explain this one better.

Originally Posted by dahoos78

And then once on the other side in WA it seems to dip back down and then disappear.

It ends up winding briefly parallel to Hwy 14, exiting onto a residential street and then ending up at Ellsworth. I'm not sure about the best way to get from Ellsworth up to Padden Parkway. I usually go north and west through residential streets to get to the Burnt Bridge Creek trail, which goes near my house, but not sure about getting farther north.

[dahoos78]

Ok I know where the Home Depot is on the right if your heading North on 205. And I think, if I'm not mistaken the MAX station is really close to it.

And then if the trail runs parallel to 14 West Bound? then like you mentioned I could jump into some residential areas and head NW and be going in the right direction. When I drove up to Padden and St. Johns it seemed like there were some good bike lanes and I think I saw a seperate trail. Sorry, thinking / typing outloud.

Thanks for your help.

[Climber]

You can get Metro and Clark County bikes maps at any decent bike shop. They're great for exploring new routes.

[sunningotter]

As this is one of my commute routes, I know it well. From the Parkrose/Sumner station (as far north as you want to go) on Max, head north on the bike trail to Columbia/Killingsworth and cross at the intersection with Sandy. The trail will dip down and then up to cross Airport Way. It will duck under I-5 northbound and come up in the center of 205. Head north and up over the bridge and the trail will drop down between the lanes and head parallel to SR14 westbound to Ellsworth. I would ride up and over the overpass over SR14 and head up the hill to 10th Ave (the top of the hill). Turn right and cross over 205, turning left at the next stop sign (Chekalov). From here you can continue past Trader Joes along Chekalov which becomes Gher/112th/Covington to Padden, or you can head north along Chekalov to 7th, turn right to 136th and then turn left (north) to get to Padden. Both routes can be trafficky, but welcome to Vancouver!

[dahoos78]

Yup, Parkrose/Sumner station on the red line is what I was thinking of. Perfect. I'll have to pick up some info at a bike shop. I have maps for the Portland Metro area, to find my way around but not for the Couv.

Thanks for everyone's help. I'm going to jump on my whip and take a test ride today.