Byway Visitor Information

Visitors should learn of Salem District Office Tillamook Resource Area road conditions, the 1717 Fabry Road SE 6615 Officer's Row location of services, safety Salem, Oregon 97306 Tillamook, Oregon 97141 considerations and (503) 375-4546 (503) 842-7546 seasonal restrictions Eugene District Office before touring a Byway. P.O. Box 10226 The BLM office that Eugene, Oregon 97440 administers the Byway has (503) 683-6600 that information. Coos Bay District Office 1300 Airport Lane Remember the following North Bend, Oregon 97459-2000 tips while enjoying the (503) 756-0100 BLM's Back Country Roseburg District Office Byways: 777 NW Garden Valley Blvd. Roseburg, Oregon 97470 • Respect private property. (503) 672-4491 If you plan to leave the Byway obtain land status Medford District Office 3040 Biddle Road maps from a BLM office. Medford, Oregon 97504 (503) 770-2200 • Be sure your vehicle is suitable for the road Prineville District Office surface. 185 E. Fourth Street P.O. Box 550 Prineville, Oregon 97754 • Be careful near livestock, (503) 447-4115 and always close gates behind you. Lakeview District Office 1000 S. 9th Street • Travelers may encounter P.O. Box 151 Lakeview, Oregon 97630 logging trucks or other (503) 947-2177 heavy equipment. Burns District Office • Respect wildlife by viewing HC 74-12533 Hwy 20 West from a distance. Hines, Oregon 97738 (503) 573-5241 • Do not disturb archeo- Vale District Office logical or historical sites. 100 Oregon Street Vale, Oregon 97918 • Report vandalism or (503) 473-3144 suspicious activities. Spokane District Office Baker Resource Area East 4217 Main P.O. Box 987 Spokane, Washington 99202 Baker City, Oregon 97814 (509) 353-2570 (503) 523-6391

Bureau of Bureau of Land Management Land Management Oregon State Office P.O. Box 2965 Portland, Oregon 97208 (503) 280-7001

Bureau of Land Management

OREGON National Back Country Byways Nestucca River South Fork Alsea River Grave Creek to Marial Galice/Helgate Lower Deschutes River Covers 48 miles of paved and gravel roads Covers 11 miles of paved and gravel Covers 33 miles of paved and gravel Covers 39 miles of paved roads, provid­ Covers 39 miles of paved and gravel roads I following northwest Oregon's scenic 2 road tracing the scenic South Fork Alsea 3road through the rugged mountains of 4 ing visitors the opportunity to explore 5 adjacent to the Deschutes Wild and Scenic Nestucca River. River in northwest Oregon. the Rogue River Canyon, providing access to the Rogue River country of southwest Oregon. River in central Oregon. the Rogue Wild and Scenic River. OREGON Follow this Byway to the heart of Oregon's Down this Byway, lose yourself in a sea of Along the Byway, re-live Oregon's history You can almost hear the lingering whistle old growth forest, where the 200 foot tall wildflowers, from the delicate pink of fox­ Enter this gateway to the backcountry, by hiking the Rogue River Trail, first de­ of the steam engine blowing as you follow cathedral of Douglas firs is interspersed glove to the vibrant red of columbine or where you'll feel the cool mist surround­ veloped by the Takelma Indians, and later the abandoned grade of the Deschutes Rail­ Back Country Byways with the vibrant red of vine maples in the the regal purple of larkspur. Stopping for ing thundering Rainie Falls. Then, chal­ traveled by miners. road line. Traveling along the solitary summer and fall. Among trees more than a hike, you'll find the trail ornamented lenge yourself with a strenuous hike along Experience the "gold fever" that first stretches of this Back Country Byway, you'll 400 years old, you can almost hear the with star flowers, fireweed, or even an the historic Rogue River or the Mule brought settlers to southwest Oregon. You feel a part of the early 1900"s race to con­ Nearly half of all Americans regard whispers of centuries past. Oregon lily. Creek Canyon Trails. might even try your luck panning for gold nect rail lines between the Columbia River and California. driving for pleasure as their favorite The rapids and pools of the Nestucca boast Spend some time picnicking near the river, When you're ready to return to civiliza­ in the river. recreation activity. To provide new coho and chinook salmon as well as steel- and while you're fishing for steelhead, you tion, visit BLM's historic Rogue River Gold is just one treasure you may discover To glimpse the area's prehistory, watch head and trout enough to challenge any may share this old growth Douglas fir for­ Ranch, and enter the world of Oregon's here: other riches include world-famous Native Americans continue a centuries-old early settlers, who ran placer mining oper­ opportunities to meet this demand, fisherman. Linger awhile at the area's est with deer or Roosevelt elk. For the Whitewater rafting, and fishing for steel- tradition, dipnetting salmon at Sherar's Falls. ations and planted their fields with hay four recreation sites for a picnic or a hike ultimate natural high, stand at the base of head and salmon. Several developed Take on the challenge of Whitewater rapids, the U. S. Bureau of Land Manage­ and wheat. and an afternoon you'll long remember. Alsea Falls and be mesmerized by the campgrounds and lodges along the Rogue or spend a quiet afternoon observing wildlife ment created its National Back Salem District rushing of the water. Camp at Tucker Flat campground near the invite you to relax, and stay awhile. while fishing for trout, steelhead, and Country Byway program. Tillamook Resource Area Salem District Rogue River Ranch, or, for a little more Medford District salmon. comfort, stay at a nearby lodge (reserva­ Prineville District tions required). The Byways will enhance your Medford District recreational adventure. They show Lower Crooked River South Fork John Day River Christmas Valley Lakeview to Steens -^ f\ Steens Mountain travelers the rich mosaic of plants, Covers 43 miles of paved and gravel Covers 50 miles of oiled, gravel, and dirt Covers 102 miles of paved and gravel Covers 91 miles of paved and gravel II I Covers M) miles of mostly gravel roads, 6 roads, providing access through the 7 roads paralleling the wild and scenic 8 roads (portions of which require high- 9 road which traverses a broad expanse of Xvf providing access to a spectacular animals, historic sites, ancient rugged Crooked River Canyon and the high South Fork of the John Day River. clearance vehicles) providing access through eastern Oregon s high desert country. alpine area of southeastern Oregon's high the high desert landscapes of south-central desert country. landscapes, minerals and scenic desert landscapes of central Oregon. In terrain ranging from old growth pon- Like the plains of southern Africa, the Oregon. vistas that comprise America's Wander down the wild and scenic Crooked derosa pine to sagebrush to willow trees lakes and sand dunes of the Warner Valley The ice-carved features of this landscape River, into nature's cathedral, the Palisades, and hardwood, you'll discover an equal Travel through time as the geologic fea­ fluctuate dramatically between drought dramatically display the power of the National Public Lands. where towering, reddish basalt canyon diversity of birds: chukar partridges scur­ tures of this rugged terrain take you back and abundant water, providing habitat for glaciers that formed them centuries ago. walls form a dramatic backdrop for deer ry in the brush, golden eagles wheel in the to a vastly different environment that herons, white pellicans, Canada geese and Reaching an altitude of nearly 10,000 feet, and the mighty bald eagle. Fishing for broad expanse of sky, and waterfowl such existed here thousands of years ago. Fossil sandhill cranes. Travel down this Byway the Byway provides an opportunity to view native rainbow trout, you'll drink in the as the Canada goose or the wood duck nest Lake, all that remains of a vast lake that magnificent glaciated canyons, lakes, and In Oregon, BLM has identified 13 quiet solace of this place, or share it with for a safari and enjoy bird watching, hunt­ once covered the entire basin, was home to hanging valleys. others in the many camping or picnicking in the reeds. ing, fishing, and photography. byways stretching over 750 miles. flamingos and mammoth. Nearby, the areas you'll discover. The Byway takes you near the Murderer's The Byway also passes near Hart Moun­ Whether you're here to photograph spring Lost Forest is the last trace of a much They traverse much of the 15 million Creek area, home to a herd of 100 wild tain, a national antelope refuge, where you wildflowers or autumn aspen color displays, Continuing down the Byway, you'll see the larger ancient pine forest. may continue your safari, spotting prong- acres of National Public Lands in landscape change dramatically as you enter horses, as well as mule deer, Rocky Moun­ you'll enjoy the quiet of campgrounds close You'll find evidence of volcanic activity in horns, bighorn sheep, antelopes, golden to trout fishing along the Donner und the expanse of sagebrush in Oregon's high tain elk and coyotes. Oregon under BLM's jurisdiction. bizarre features such as the Devil's Gar­ eagles, and prairie falcons. Blitzen Wild and Scenic River. The area's desert. Enjoy "roughing it" at BLM's primitive den, surrounded by a smooth pahoehoe Lakeview and Burns Districts big game species include mule deer, Rocky The Byways vary from narrow, Prineville District campground upstream from Dayville, lava flow, or the vast Crack-in-the-Ground, where trout fishing could be the highlight Mountain elk, bighorn sheep, and antelope. graded roads passable only during a nearly 2 miles long and 40 feet deep. of your trip. Burns District Lakeview District few months of the year to two-lane, Prineville District paved highways providing year- Diamond Loop -^ ^^ Leslie Gulch/Succor Creek •^ /^ Snake River/Morman Basin Adventures awaiting you include the round access. Covers 75 miles of paved and gravel W Covers 52 miles of gravel and grad- •^k Covers 130 miles of paved and grav- chance to see historic and present-day Uroads in the Steens, part of the high JCchm ed dirt roads (portions of which " %. * el roads providing access to some of gold mining, ranching communities, and a desert country of southeastern Oregon. require high-clearance vehicles), providing the diverse landscapes of northeastern Oregon. railroad town. Relive pioneer 1 fe on the Each byway exposes the diversity of Travel to wild horse country, where you access to the rugged geography of eastern Travel along winding river canyons, historic Oregon Trail at Flagstaff Hill, Oregon. landscapes and attractions that may see Kiger mustangs running fast as through aspen-lined meadows and basins where you'll gain a new understanding of the wind across the rangeland near Riddle Visit eastern Oregon's geologic artistry filled with wildflowers. Take along your the hardships faced by Oregon's early contributes to Oregon's reputation as Mountain. The Byway provides access to created by ancient volcanic activity more binoculars or a camera, and when you're settlers. a place of scenic wonder. a viewing area where you may see one of than 15 million years ago. Major features done taking in the view, wet your line in the most pure herds of Spanish mustangs include Three Fingers Rock, Owyhee one of the best warm water fisheries in the in the wild today. Ridge, and the Leslie Gulch Tuff forma­ west. tions, as well as honeycombed, steep- In Peter French's Round Bam, built in the walled canyons. Rock hounds will delight late 1870's, you'll see a monument to the in finding petrified wood and the agate- cattle baron era in Oregon history. The filled thunderegg, Oregon's state rock. round bam was used to break horses dur­ ing the winter months. Hiking, you will feel the vastness and stark beauty of this landscape. Watch The Byway also traverses a national Along the way... closely, and you may see prong- wildlife refuge on the Pacific Flyway, horn antelope, mule deer, coy­ where migratory birds include pelicans, otes, and the elusive Calif­ Back Country Byways will show you the best egrets, and sandhill cranes. ornia bighorn sheep. Oregon has to offer, from the breathtaking Burns District thunder of waterfalls, to geology sculpted by Vale District ancient volcanoes, glaciers, and rivers. Associated with the Byways is BLM's "Adventures in the Past" program which provides you opportunities to experience first hand the exciting legacy of our nation's cultural heritage. Countless adventures await you: panning for gold near the old placer mines of southwestern Oregon; tracing an abandoned railroad line, or trekking through a landscape similar to the plains of southern Africa. Live in harmony with the land as the Native Americans taught us. Soak up the solitude of wild and scenic rivers and towering old growth forests. Oregon's Back Country Byways are gateways to other worlds you will remember for years to come.

Leslie Gulch