Eastern Oregon

[gman47]

We're planning a tour to eastern Oregon this summer, possibly spending 3-4 nights in Baker City. Looking for 2-3 day trips of 150-200 miles each, leaving and returning to Baker City each day. Would appreciate some leads to good roads, stops, eats, fuel, etc. Pm me and we can discuss details......... I have my maps out!!

[schoeney]

Hi Gman,

I have ridden or driven many of the areas. I am not sure I can remember any names of the eateries but there were many I really enjoyed. Lots of small towns and great scenery.

I am sure you are already planning the obvious trip up Hell Canyon (Hwy 71). The other great area is Joseph (lots of little shops) and Wallowa Lake(Hwy 82)...make sure you get all the way to the lake...don't just stop in Joseph.

You can make amazing time in the area because there is so little traffic. 350 mile days are nothing. Some nice rides are 95 to Orifino. Some great riding toward Spray/Heppner/Condon ...hwy's 19,207,19,74.

Be careful on HWY 74...amazing ride but doesn't get much travel so there is gravel on the sides of the roads due to graveling during the snowy season. Spectaculer scenery and cool towns.

It gets pretty darn hot after June in the area. You can make great time on HWY 84 but lacks scenery. If you ride the "Gorge" along the Columbia River just keep in mind that the wind kicks up pretty good in the afternoon. The Gorge scenery starts in Boardman all the way to Portland. Good milk shakes/burgers in Boardman at a little place just on the north side of the hwy (84).


Stay away from the Wild Horse Casino in Pendleton. Crappy food and service. I have been there 3 times hoping the next time it would get better...it didn't!

Do you know the dates yet?

I am sure many of the locals in Baker City can point you in the right direction. It hosts alot of bikers.


I do remember one great place to eat in Waisburg, WA. Southern (New Orleans style) food. Here is the link;

http://www.whoopemuphollowcafe.com/

Have a great trip!

P.S. Don't expect to see alot of greenery....most of the green is on the west side of the Cascades.

[gman47]

Good info, schoeney. Yes, I have briefly checked out some of the roads you mentioned. I noticed those "little green dots" along some of the roads, indicating a scenic byway. From your description, scenic may be in the eye of the beholder but this area for a tour is preferrable to So. Cal., IMHO. I'll be checking for further replys so if you want to add anything, I'll certainly put it into the hopper for consideration. The heads up on the Gorge and wind is right on. We did the Gorge from The Dalles west to the coast about 2 years ago. Thanks.

[Netnorske]

Originally Posted by gman47

Good info, schoeney. Yes, I have briefly checked out some of the roads you mentioned. I noticed those "little green dots" along some of the roads, indicating a scenic byway. From your description, scenic may be in the eye of the beholder but this area for a tour is preferrable to So. Cal., IMHO. I'll be checking for further replys so if you want to add anything, I'll certainly put it into the hopper for consideration. The heads up on the Gorge and wind is right on. We did the Gorge from The Dalles west to the coast about 2 years ago. Thanks.

Gman,
Last year I did a three day ride to Hells Canyon. We stayed in Enterprise, then rode through Joseph where we took a short ride east on 350 then turned south on Wallowa Mt. Rd. down through the Hells Canyon Rec Area. It is paved the entire way and will take you through some amazing wilderness. It will eventually turn into Nat Forest Dev Rd. 39 and then into N. Pine Rd. That was the coolest road of the whole trip!

Going north to south like we did, the first couple miles are pretty potholed, but then the road gets better for the whole rest of the way. It's about 50-60 miles through total wilderness to Hwy 86, where you can go east to Oxbow Dam or back west again. Looking at a map....the roads through the rec area look like spaghetti, but they are really not. Just stay on the paved road and you will end up at Hwy 86.

The road winds up and down and all over the place and the scenery is fabulous...but don't ride the road too fast as there are deer and elk everywhere up there! Near the top of the pass there is a lookout point that is about a mile off the main road that has a killer view overlooking Hells Canyon. It is well marked and you can't miss it. My lower right sig pic was taken at that lookout point, with Hell's Canyon in the background!

We went over Oxbow Dam then south before cutting back east into Idaho and heading north up through Grangeville , then 13 to Kooskia, then 12 to Orofino. That whole area is great riding, but I would for sure find a way to include that Wallawa Mt. Rd. ride through Hells Canyon Rec Area into your plans....it is well worth it... ;) !

[buck]

GMan,

Lots of good rides in the area. Agree with Netnorske the Wallowa Mountain Loop (Rt 39) out of Joseph is a great ride. You can follow it to Hwy 86 which follows the Powder River back to Baker City. Another really cool ride is Rt 3 north out of Enterprise to Brogan's Oasis on the Grande Ronde then continue on Rt 129 (same hwy, new number in Washington) up rattlesnake grade which is very twisty and very scenic. It is actually a prettier ride going from north to south because you get to see the Wallowas on the Oregon side. Also, if you are in Joseph, head up to Imnaha for a cold beer. Lots to see in that part of the country. Fossil has a great 4th of July classic car show if your in the area around the 4th. Ukiah to Heppner on the Blue Mountain Scenic Hwy is nice as well. Have fun. jb

[gman47]

thanks to all for the tips. I'll be gettin' serious in the next couple of weeks creating a route for our trip. I know not everyone checks the message boards everyday so I will "thank in advance" any and all that respond to my post. I knew I could count on a few folks having knowledge of this area of Oregon. Our trip is planned for the week after the Hells Canyon Rally ..... maybe not a bad thing!!!! :) :)

[schoeney]

Gman,

Yes. Please let us know the dates. I wouldn't mind taking a ride that way to say hello and have lunch!

[hammer]

Four of my friends rode south from Lewiston Idaho taking Hwy 129 (WA) onto Hwy 3 (OR) to Enterprise, OR. We stayed at the Ponderosa Motel, very biker friendly town. The road south goes through the Rattlesnake Canyon. Phenomenal riding and I would do it again and again.

Joseph a little farther south is an artsy community with neat watering holes. Aslo biker friendly and the gateway to the Hells Canyon area. I think the road through Hells Canyon is FSR 39 and is also an incredible ride. As Chris mentioned so is the screaming bank and scrape ride from the Coppefield area to the Hells Canyon Dam. From Baker City you can reach that using 86 east.

If you do a search for the Bronze Bike Rally it is held annually in Joseph and has some excellent links to riding and staying in the area.

There are a lot of great rides west of the Baker City area too looping up to La Grande and back down using the National scenic parkway routes. The ones we took were all freshly paved. I highly recommend you check with Odot for there chip seal schedule. It's no fun if you hit the gravel stuff before the seal part. They gave us their schedule by e-mail which was great service.

If you are interested I would be happy to send a few links. PM me with an e-mail addy if you want.