Skamakowa To Ranier

Head east out of Skamakowa on highway 4 until you reach the turn south onto Main street at Cathalmet. You can stop for coffee in town or continue south along 409 until you reach the ferry landing. The ferry runs hourly to the town of Wesport in Oregon.

There is a nice park at the ferry landing where you can stop to enjoy the laid back lifestyle of this Columbia river island community

From Westport, follow highway 30 east to the town of Clatskanie. You can continue on 30 to Ranier, but I prefer the more scenic route along Beaver falls road. In Clatskanie, turn left at the main signal onto N Nehalem street. In a couple blocks, you will cross the Clatskanie river and turn left onto NW 5th Street. As the road climbs and bends to the right, it becomes Beaver falls road

This is a lovely rise with a nice view of the farms below. Continue along Beaver falls road. Just after Kallio road drops off to your left, you reach a cunfusing intersection. In order to stay on Beaver falls road, you need to turn right at the intersection. The road then gently climbs alongside the river to the town of Delena

You have to get on highway 30 for less than a mile before taking a right on the old Ranier road. You will do more climbing but are rewarded with an awesome descent down a sinuous wooded highway into the town of Ranier

Once you reach the bottom at highway 30, turn right and head to the transit center in Ranier and catch the Columbia County Rider back to Portland

Optional extension

A delightful, and completely level, figure eight ride of Puget Island can be made by immediately turning right after crossing the Julia Butler Hansen Bridge. Follow Little Island Road counter clockwise around the circumfernece of the island before linking again to highway 409 where you left it at the end of the bridge. Head south to the next island

Once you cross over to the next, and larger island, you can do a much larger loop. I have done the whole loop or shortened it into smaller loops. It really depends on how much extra riding you want to tack on before the grueling climb to Ranier