The Wallowas, Reminiscent of the Swiss Alps
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ortheastern Oregon preserves the past in small- Onward to Joseph, you’ll be enthralled by the jagged peaks of the Wallowas, reminiscent of the Swiss Alps. Six miles south In the Wallowas, you can look down from an alpine Ntown life, endless vistas and Oregon Trail sites of town, glacially–formed Wallowa Lake features a lodge and Great Events Wallowa Lake summit and see the high desert of Indian country frozen in time. Many notable spots can be seen along a state park with yurts, cabins and tent sites. Hells Canyon Junior Rodeo Tramway takes you to the summit of Mt. Howard, where 2 Halfway – 4th weekend of June roll out before you, then turn the other direction the stunning 208-mile loop of the Hells Canyon miles of easy trails lead to viewpoints. If you’re up for an and gaze past Hells Canyon into the next state. Scenic Byway. This tour can begin from any part of adventure, Winding Waters Rafting is unmatched. Elgin Stampede Rodeo Elgin – 2nd weekend in July the loop—just don’t miss a single mile. The picturesque town of Joseph tempts visitors with galleries, Home to snowcapped mountain ranges, glacier- bronze foundries, outfitters and artisan chocolate makers— Pioneer Wagon Encampment carved lakes, the state’s largest wilderness area there’s even a craft distillery. at the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center Baker City to Halfway Baker City – Labor Day Weekend and America’s deepest river gorge, the area The Byway winds through the craggy, 8,000 foot depths Enterprise - Elgin - La Grande Taste of Baker and Baker City surrounding the Wallowa Mountains claims some of Hells Canyon and along the 10,000 foot peaks of the West of the Wallowas, the bountiful Grande Ronde Valley Wallowas. Gear up in Baker City, one of Rand McNally’s 6 Artist Studio Tour unfolds and is rich in native American history. Enterprise st of the most dramatic scenery in the country. There most beautiful small towns in America and home of Barley offers an array of shops and accommodations, as well as the Baker City – 1 weekend in October are fields of fauna, working ranches, abundant wide Browns award-winning brew pub. Late 19th century Victorian cozy creekside Terminal Gravity Brewery. You’ll continue architecture dominates the city’s downtown, including the through Lostine and Wallowa, home of the Nez Perce Scenic Hiking Trails open spaces—even a few ghost towns. Once you famous Geiser Grand Hotel. Before leaving town, immerse Interpretive Center. experience them for yourself, it’s easy to see why yourself in pioneer history at the National Historic Oregon Two Pan Trail: Follow the valley floor lush with Trail Interpretive Center. Following the beautiful Wallowa River, you’ll soon reach Elgin, wildflowers and clear streams ideal for fishing, plus the Wallowas are one of the 7 Wonders of Oregon. and the elegantly restored 1912 Elgin Opera House. Elgin is views of Eagle Cap Peak. 17 miles south of Lostine. also home base for the Eagle Cap Excursion Train, which Halfway to Joseph Hurricane Creek: The jumping off point to access the runs 63 miles along the Grande Ronde and Wallowa Rivers. Early pioneers first traveled portions of this route on their way Eagle Cap Wilderness and high alpine lakes. Take in to the Willamette Valley in the early 1840s. Today, the area is La Grande views of Sacajawea, Matterhorn and Eagle Cap Peaks. a mecca for backpacking, fishing, white water rafting and Jet 6 miles south of Joseph. Your Byway adventure ends in La Grande. Once a rest stop Boat Trips with Hells Canyon Adventures on the West Fork of the Wallowa River: One of the three main Snake River. along the historic Oregon Trail, this town offers year-round cultural events, a preserved commercial Historic District, trails for exploring the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Located at the south end of Wallowa Lake. Near Halfway, stay at Cornucopia Lodge and enjoy the and is home to Eastern Oregon University, the only four year surrounding Eagle Cap Wilderness by horseback (excursions university in Eastern Oregon. Mt. Emily Recreation Area: Miles of beautiful trails just available for all level riders). For a truly unique trekking 2 miles from downtown La Grande can be enjoyed by experience, venture out on a llama pack trip with Wallowa foot, mountain bike or horseback. Llamas tours. For more trip ideas and planning resources check out: Catherine Creek State Park: A great basecamp for VisitEasternOregon.com Heading out of Halfway, take a short detour to the Hells exploring the region, the park provides a peaceful Canyon Overlook, with outstanding views of McGraw Creek, For more on Hells Canyon Scenic Byway visit: setting along the crystal-clear water for camping, hiking Hells Canyon, and the Seven Devils Mountains, which stand HellsCanyonByway.com and fishing. 8 miles from Union. at the Idaho border. The Wallowas – Top 20 W ASHINGTON Hells Canyon Scenic Byway: Take a Wallowa Lake Tramway: Glide through the er iv R 1 breathtaking 208-mile driving tour of the 11 evergreens to the top of Mt. Howard for a Milton-Freewater n Eagle Cap Wilderness, the Snake River and the jaw-dropping view of the Eagle Cap Wilderness’s o er m iv l deepest river gorge in America. 10,000-foot peaks. R R nde on de a ra S Grande Tour Scenic Bikeway: Crystal Zumwalt Prairie & Buckhorn Overlook: G 2 clear streams and serene farmlands mark 12 Experience magnificent views of Buckhorn this scenic, 134-mile figure-8 loop. wildflowers, the Nez Perce homelands and 33,000 Overlook acres of the only native bunch grass prairie 7 Eagle Cap Excursion Train: Journey 12 remaining in the United States. 3 along the Wild & Scenic Wallowa River k e Arlington past wildlife, timbered ridges and rugged cliffs.re Hells Canyon Adventures: C r e 13 Make new memories with a thrilling jet t Blue Banana Coffee Shop: Fuel up witht a d u R boat ride along the Wild River section of the n r 4 frozen chai or espresso drink in this Bkitschy o h k Hells Canyon Snake River. c roadside landmark (don’t forget the camera)! u To Pendleton 1 B National - Imnaha Cornucopia Lodge: Wa lt Unplug from the hustle Elgin llow a Recreation Area Lostine Tavern: Everything local is “on a w W Wallowa m 14 and bustle and take in the magnificent R u 5 tap” at this farm to table gathering spot. i Z i 3 v l e l views of the Wallowa Mountains. r o w Dine on locally sourced wild salmon, grass fed beef burgers, brews and more. Halfway Whimsical Local Artists 4 5 Hat Point C r r 2 Lostine e Lookout Cottonwood ee 15 Co-op: A definite stop for treasure hunters, v k Terminal Gravity: A mecca for craft beer i Canyon with art, decor and furniture made from recycled 6 R lovers, taste some of the Pacific Northwest’s Mt Emily State Park 6 objects. a Recreation Enterprise h r best IPAs alongside tasty pub food in a cozy, . e d a R v Area i k n creekside setting. Oregon Trail Interpretive Center: Walk in e Joseph e R 2 Two Pan r m C e La Grande Trail Head I W e 9 10 k 16 actual wagon ruts of the Oregon Trail and n 17 miles south a Rim Rock Inn: a Sleep in an authentic tepee c A of Lostine i n rr learn about the heroic journey of these pioneers. u S 7 overlooking spectacular Joseph Canyon. L H 8 L Hells J O Wallowa 13 o Baker City: The charming downtown Cove Hurricane Creek Canyon h Chief Joseph Gravesite: Pay homage to W Trail Head Lake n 17 district of Historic Baker City makes for a A Dam the Nez Perce tribe and their revered 8 11 D great home base while exploring the areas Old 20 Eagle Cap Wilder ness West Fork leader who inhabited these lands and rose Union Trail Head Seasonal Road a 19 This portion of the Byway y West culture. M . R up against settlers. O U d is under construction R N T i A n v I N in 2015. Please consult Barley Brown’s Brew Pub: One of Oregon’s S Hells o e Arrowhead Chocolates: Every hike y hellscanyonbyway. r n most award-winning breweries also serves S Canyon a com for schedule and 18 N C 9 needs chocolate: pack up award-winning I Overlook 1 A ls detour route information T l home cooked meals in this beautiful 1870’s town. U N e huckleberry truffles, habanero caramels and B L U E M O H and appropriate vehicle Lonerock considerations. Mayville more for your adventure. Buffalo Peak Golfr Course:th 18 holes with No For Wallowology & Josephy Center 19 gorgeous views of the Grandek Joh nRonde Valley and surrounding Wallowa and Blue Da North Powder 10 for Arts & Culture: The perfect y R IDAHO Mountains near the historic town of Union. iv Medical Kinzua introduction to the area’s stunning natural and Dale er Oxbow Springs 14 Seasonal cultural environments. Ladd Marsh Wildlife Area: Home to an 2 20 ongoing flow of migrating ducks, geese Haines Po w and nesting shorebirds. E d Road L e K r R 15 H O ive R r Halfway M N J o iddle Granite M h Fo O U N 2.8 pt n Monument rk TA IN S 16 1 J 18 17 Brownlee Res. oh McEwen Baker D er n D Richland ay Riv Twickenham a Sumpter City Richmond Hamilton y Hewitt-Holcomb R iver Recreation Area Long Creek 20 Greenhorn Waterman Bates 245 To Hereford Boise, ID River To John Day Journey Through Time Scenic Byway Joh ay Antone n D and the Painted Hills Unity Hells Canyon Scenic Byway illow Creek Grande Tour Scenic Bikeway Canyon City W Seasonal Road Crooked River Deer Flat NWR 20 22 Seasonal Road Klamath Marsh NWR Malheur NWR 21 Upper Klamath NWR Rocky Point Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge Lower Klamath NWR Bear Valley NWR 161 Sheldon NWR Tulelake 139.