About Steel Bridge to The Valley of The Giants
The Valley of the Giants is a 51 acre natural area that contains a stand of old-growth Douglas Firs and Western Hemlocks, many of which are over 200 feet tall and 400 to 500 years old. This out-and-back route begins in at The Steel Bridge and takes The Old Railroad Grade to Valsetz. From there, it takes the Siletz River Road before heading north on Road 500 to the destination. The route is 49 miles, with 3350' of climbing, and is 100% unpaved. If you are interested in a shorter version of this route, see Valsetz to The Valley of the Giants (23 miles). If you'd like a longer version, see Hoskins to The Valley of the Giants (59 miles).
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: 49 miles, +3350'; 100% unpaved
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.
Before visiting the Valley of the Giants, I recommend that you call the Salem office of the BLM at 503-375-5646. Hancock Forests controls the gate at the south end of the Old Railroad Grade and I believe they may control the Road 500 Gate (near the confluence of the North and South Forks of the Siletz River). The number of their office in Independence is 503-838-1610.
More information: I published this route on the MTB Project: Ft. Hoskins to Valsetz (mile 5 to mile 18.6); Siletz River Road (mile 22 to mile 16); and Valley of the Giants Road.
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).
The Valley of the Giants is a 51 acre natural area that contains a stand of old-growth Douglas Firs and Western Hemlocks, many of which are over 200 feet tall and 400 to 500 years old. It is owned by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). It is in a very remote part of the Coast Range about 35 miles northwest of Corvallis as the crow flies.
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
Related or similar routes
From Falls City
Falls City to The Valley of the Giants: 55 miles; +5300'; 97% unpaved
From Fort Hoskins
Fort Hoskins to the Old Railroad Grade: 26 miles; +1130'; 68% unpaved
Fort Hoskins to Valsetz: 36 miles; +1724'; 76% unpaved
Fort Hoskins to The Valley of the Giants: 59 miles; +3540'; 86% unpaved
From The Steel Bridge
Steel Bridge to The Old Railroad Grade: 16 miles, +900'; 100% unpaved
Steel Bridge to Valsetz: 36 miles; +2150'; 100% unpaved
From Valsetz
Valsetz to The Valley of the Giants: 23 miles, +1900'; 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.