Rooster Rock, conditions on May 22nd.

I rode my bike out to RR again...
The water levels are up about two feet since i went last week, making it difficult to find a spot to perch or set up camp, a th ebest spot that were there last week are now underwater, wet and/or muddy.
There ws almost no breeze, so I found myself having to stand up in order to feel any breeze, as it seemed to only be blowing about three feet above the ground level.
I did nto go swmming myself, but a few guys who did told me that it was really bold and you could feel a current in the lagoon area.
Over the winter several trees and bushes have fallen over and accross the main
trail, but it is not tha big of a deal unless you carry a lot in and
out. I informed the rangers about it on the way out last week, but it doesn't look like anything has been done aobut it yet.
I also
inquired as to parking rates for this year.. It is still $5 for the day
or you can buy an annual pass for $30, or a two year pass for $50. If
you pay for a day pass you can use it to get $5 off an annual pass if
you do so within five days. If there is nobody in the booth, you cna go
to the ranger office, which is th eguilding with the flag pole outside,
and buy annual or two year passes there. Annual and two year passes
are good at all other Oregon State Parks where there is a fee for
parking, so if you do a lot of day hikes it is more economical in the
long run.

The route I took for riding my bike is the same as I did last year...
From 162nd & Glisan I head East of Glisan to 223rd.
I turn left on 223rd to Halsey.
I
turn right on Halsey and at to whee the road curves south a bit and
across the bridge over the Sandy River to the Old Scenic Highway, and
Turn left.
I then procede to the I-84 freeway entrance near Lewis and Clark Park, and take the onramp.
I
exit off the freeway at the Corbett exit and take water at the top and
rest for a couple fo minutes and then head back down the on ramp back
onto the freeway. This is th esafest way to hand this off ramp and o
nramp.
The next exit is Rooster Rock State Park. The clothign
optional area is to the far right east end) of the parkign lot. The
trail tha tlead to the clothign otional are is to the left of the
restrooms. There are no bike racks.
As a different starting point you may take the MAX to either Gateway or 181st and head North to Halsey and turn right (east).
If you remember, on your way oiut, stop at the ranger station and ask for
bike racks. Once they finish construction on the I-84 bridge over the
sandy river there is supposed to be a new bike path crossing, which will
make biking out there easier.
The
return trip is similar, but after getting the on I-84 from Rooster Rock
before th Corbett exit there is a viewpoint. It is safer to take the
exit and renter the freeway at the other side. Also headign West the
biek path on Glisan seems to disappear at times, so I take Halsey all
the way back to 162nd.. A note of caution. Last year I came upon a
storm drain grate, heading West on halsey that was not flush with the
street and had a wide enough gap that my front tire dropped in and my
bike flipped. I was not hurt, but I don't ride that fast either.
One
nice thing, is that on I-84, there is a lot less debri8s on the
shoulders than there was last year. I have puncture resistant tires and
tubes on my bike, and for anyone riding out of the transit area, I'd
suggest you upgrade your tires as well, so you are nto likely to end up
with a flat away from resources to get back home.

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