Historic Columbia River Highway Detour

[SewCrates]

I've never been on Alex Barr or Palmar Mill rd. Which is less scary for 700x25 tires? Is taking I-84 East from Corbett a reasonable possibility?
Thanks
-Sew

[jeff]

S-C, rode one of those (going up) about a decade ago, don't recall which, on 32c & it involved considerable walking - which may say more about my cycling skills/fitness than the quality of the unpaved road, but there you have it. Both are extremely steep & i find it hard to think either would be navigable on 25c in either direction -

[SewCrates]

Just a little update to anyone who might be interested. I was out on the HCRH last weekend, and while construction was still ongoing at Crown Point, the road is open. Immediately after some single-lane be-prepared-to-stop business at Crown Point the smooth nice repaved surface begins and carries you through all those crazy switchbacks most of the way to Latourell Falls.

[Champs]

I've descended Alex Barr (via Larch Mt. & Haines) on 23s. It's doable, and there's a spooky abandoned(?) house along the way, but I wouldn't recommend it to anyone. For comparison, I consider Saltzman (the one in the West Hills) just fine, if muddy.

I have looked into Palmer Mill, but was not able to find it from the highway or Larch Mountain. It might be a myth.

Update: thanks to this Strava Multiple Ride Mapper, it looks like I turned around just shy of Palmer Mill on Brower Road, right where it makes a final turn east (and into gravel).