The Steel Bridge to Valsetz

About The Steel Bridge to Valsetz  

Valsetz was a timber company town that was established in 1919 and had a population of over 1000 in the mid-20th century. It was decommissioned by the company and destroyed in 1984. Today, you can still see some of the towns streets, the foundations of buildings and houses, and the remains of a large reservoir known as Lake Valsetz. 

This route follows The Old Railroad Grade (which was the route of a railroad that once traveled from the Willamette Valley to Valsetz) and completes a lollipop shaped loop. The route is 36 miles, with 2150' of climbing, and is 100% unpaved.

Essential information

Starting location: The Steel Bridge (see location). This is a classic steel truss bridge located 5 miles northwest of Fort Hoskins. There is room for several cars to park on the north side of the bridge. 

Distance & drive time (from downtown Corvallis) (see route): 24 miles; 33 minutes

RWGPS route map: 36 miles; +2150'; 100% unpaved

More information: I published this route on the MTB Project in four parts, each of which include photos: Ft. Hoskins to Valsetz (all of it); Valsetz Lake Road (mile 0 to mile 1.6); Sunshine Road (all of it); and Rock Creek Road (mile 6.2 to mile 10.9). View a Relive video of the route below. 

Limitations on public access

This route uses private timber company roads that are subject to limits on public access and fire season restrictions and closures. This area is most likely to be open between Mid-September and early July. Non-motorized travel and passenger vehicles are allowed 1 hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunrise. The following activities or vehicles are prohibited: Camping; fires; electric bikes; motorcycles; ATVs; target shooting; trapping. 

Places on the route

The Old Railroad Grade: The Valley & Siletz Railroad operated from roughly 1920 to 1980 between the towns of Independence and Valsetz. Valsetz was a timber company town that was established in 1919 and was decommissioned and destroyed in 1984.

The Steel Bridge: This is a classic steel truss bridge located 5 miles northwest of Fort Hoskins (see location).  

Valsetz was a timber company town that was established in 1919 and had a population of over 1000 in the mid-20th century. It was decommissioned by the company and destroyed in 1984. Today, you can still see some of the towns streets, the foundations of buildings and houses, and the remains of a large reservoir known as Lake Valsetz.

Ride with GPS route map

Additional route options

The following three routes are variations on the above route:

Out-and-back to Valsetz: RWGPS route map (courtesy of MVBC): 26 miles, +1400'; 100% unpaved

• This is an out-and-back route on the Old Railroad Grade.

Around Lake Valsetz: RWGPS route map (courtesy of MVBC): 31 miles, +1700'; 100% unpaved 

• This route loops back around the lake and returns via The Old Railroad Grade. See the route I published on the MTB Project for Valsetz Lake Road. 

Siletz River Road large lollipop: RWGPS route map (courtesy of MVBC): 46 miles, +3600'; 100% unpaved

• This route continues west of Valsetz along the Siletz River Road and completes a larger lollipop. See the route I published on the MTB Project for Siletz River Road.

Related or similar routes

From Fort Hoskins

• Fort Hoskins to the Old Railroad Grade: 26 miles; +1130'; 68% unpaved    

• Fort Hoskins to Valsetz: 36 miles; +1724'; 76% unpaved  

From The Steel Bridge

• Steel Bridge to The Old Railroad Grade: 16 miles, +900'; 100% unpaved

Other considerations  

Active logging operations: These areas are subject to active logging operations, which means you could encounter log trucks. Such activity typically occurs during the work week, and less so on weekends, particularly on Sundays. If you hear a log truck approaching, get off the road and wait for it to pass. This is for your own safety and in recognition that you are a guest on private property.  

Log truck gravel: Most of these roads have reasonable sized gravel much of the time. For that, I recommend a minimum recommended tire width of 40mm. However, these roads are subject to being freshly graveled with big and loose gravel from time to time. For this kind of gravel, you likely will be happier on tires that are at least 2" (~50mm) wide. 

Relive video