“Three Counties” is a serene new video from Ian J. Whitmore that captures the sights and sounds of a solo bikepacking escape around Western Oregon. Ride along on Ian’s unpaved journey through Yamhill, Washington, and Tillamook counties here…

Words, photos, and video by Ian J. Whitmore

In June, I cycled from Yamhill, Oregon, into the Tillamook State Forest for an overnight bikepacking trip, solo camping by the Trask River. The route was scouted ahead of time and is well-documented, featuring 89 percent gravel and unpaved roads that take riders into the backroads of Yamhill, Washington, and Tillamook counties, around the Barney Reservoir, and up to some incredible ridgelines revealing a variety of beautiful views (even in logging country).

  • Three Counties: Bikepacking Western Oregon
  • Three Counties: Bikepacking Western Oregon
  • Three Counties: Bikepacking Western Oregon

I nearly bumped into a Mountain Lion, did a little bit of off-trail exploration in the hopes of connecting some trails (which didn’t work out), and probably spent about 45 to 60 minutes total pushing the bike on some steep parts. 

Three Counties: Bikepacking Western Oregon
  • Three Counties: Bikepacking Western Oregon
  • Three Counties: Bikepacking Western Oregon

This is a trip I have been planning for a while now, and I hope to submit this route to BIKEPACKING.com’s Local Overnighter Project soon! A big thank you to the folks at Cycle Yamhill County for helping me find a safe place to park and generally offering their support. They are doing good things throughout the area.

Further Reading

Make sure to dig into these related articles for more info...

FILED IN (CATEGORIES & TAGS)

Dispatch

Please keep the conversation civil, constructive, and inclusive, or your comment will be removed.