Three Day Road Trip to Northeastern Oregon

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B]Day 1:[/B]



Just got back from a three day road trip to northeastern Oregon. The weather was near perfect and I was able to explore a few roads that I had not been on before.

The one disappointment was that the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway on Forest Service Road 39 was still closed due to flood damage about 39 miles south of the northern starting point of FR 39. But still it was an enjoyable journey.

I departed Ellensburg on Saturday and proceeded east on the Vantage Highway. This way I was able to avoid I90.

MY first stop was the Wildhorse Windfarm located 14 miles east of Ellensburg. I wanted to see if Mt Rainier and Mt Adams were viewable from the Visitor Center.





Those wind turbines sure are big!


View from Visitor Center-unfortunately it was a little to hazy to get a good view of Mt Adams.





My next two stops along the Vantage Highway were the Ginkgo Petrified Forest Park and the Columbia River at Vantage.

Ginkgo Park


Vantage Boat Launch on the Columbia River


After Vantage I crossed the Columbia River on the I90 Bridge and proceeded eastbound to Othello on Highway 26.



After Othello I turned south on Hwy 17 past the Scooteney Reservoir and again turned east after Connell on Hwy 260. Hwy 260 takes you through the Washtucna Coulee as it winds its way to the town of Kahlotus.

Kahlotus is a dying town none of the stores there are operating-but the town is fun to photograph-sort of a living ghost town----but..

City Hall


Jail


Wall Art


Local Brands


From Hwy 260 I picked up Hwy 261 which takes you to the town of Starbuck. Before getting to Starbuck you cross the Snake River at Lyon Ferry. This is a very interesting area. First there is a big railroad bridge that crosses the Snake and there is a State Park, and a Marina/RV Park as well.



After Lyons Ferry is the town of Starbuck. Here are some pictures from downtown Starbuck. The town has fuel and cafe.







After Starbuck I worked my way north to Colfax were I wanted to spend the night but the town was having its fall Fair and all rooms were full.

I ended up going down to Clarkston were I got a room and spent the night.

The next day would be a great ride on Hwy 129/Hwy 3 down to Enterprise Oregon.

End Day 1.

MkD

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Day 2 Clarkston to Enterprise.

I traveled down SR 129 to OR SR 3. This is a fantastic road-near the Grand Ronde River Canyon the road gets so twisty you could swear its going to tie itself into a knot.

Swallow Park south of Clarkston on the Clearwater River


Southbound on SR 129 the Nez Perce Trail


Tumble Weeds


One of Many Old Barns Along this Route


Joseph Canyon Overlook




Entering Oregon




Lake Wallowa


Nice Old Barn in the Wallowa Valley


End of Day 2

[cookie]

Beautiful country! I haven't been near the big river in years.
Great PICS! Thank you

[Bruce_H]

Great stuff, wich road was closed? I am thinking it is the one from Joseph over Hells Canyon to the bottom and Oxbow Park.

waiting for the rest... Thanks for shareing.

[BACKROAD.ADV]

Great stuff, wich road was closed? I am thinking it is the one from Joseph over Hells Canyon to the bottom and Oxbow Park.

waiting for the rest... Thanks for shareing.

It's Forest Service Road 39 its closed 42 miles in. But you can ride to the Hells Canyon Overlook on the north end. You cannot finish the last 22 or so miles to to Halfway. But if you wanted to you could enter from the north and then come out ride around to Halfway and finish the remaining miles ……….



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Day 3

Got up early and had breakfast in Enterprise at the Friendly Cafe. The only place open at 6am in town and the food was good and too much for me to eat. I especially enjoyed the homemade blackberry jam.

This was a nice early morning shot of the Wallowas enroute to the town of Joseph



Finally got to the sign confirming that FR 39 was still closed and was not passable to Halfway.



FR 39 can be a bit twisty



Signs of Fall



Getting closer to the end



Hells Canyon Overlook



Forest Fire From Overlook



The Imnaha River





Joseph Oregon







Lostine Oregon



Field Burning in the Walla Walla Valley



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[RINTY]

I've been thinking about a return trip to Joseph, (my wife hasn't been there) but will wait until FR 39 is re-opened.