Rieth to Echo |
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The canyons, rolling Palouse and winding waterways in addition to the Indigenous and Oregon Trail histories, make the area around Pendleton, Oregon worth exploring. A picturesque 44-mile out and back pedal on Rieth Road, along the Umatilla River, is one such cultural and scenic gem. The route starts in Pendleton and then pauses in the historically rich town of Echo.
Summer is the perfect time to get out and enjoy the sunshine as well as the sensation of flying down the road on a road bike.
After a long spring and wild winter, the west side of the Blue Mountains offers a tempting advance on the warm weather to come. The canyons, rolling Palouse and winding waterways in addition to the Indigenous and Oregon Trail histories, make the area around Pendleton, Oregon worth exploring. A picturesque 44-mile out and back pedal on Rieth Road, along the Umatilla River, is one such cultural and scenic gem. The route starts in Pendleton and then pauses in the historically rich town of Echo.
Begin this adventure where a once thriving Marshall and Swift’s Station offered supplies to pioneers that had survived crossing the Blue Mountains by taking exit 207 off Interstate 84. There is an Oregon Trail Marker where Westgate and Murietta Road intersect that addresses the Upper Crossing and other historical references. This would be a perfect place to start a cycling adventure except, it is laden with no parking signs. Instead, follow Murietta or Rieth Road to the south side of the freeway and locate a place to park, we chose the upper Blue Mountain Lumber Products parking lot.
When the Oregon Trail was in full swing, Pioneers frequently spent a couple of nights in this area, close to the Umatilla River and Middletown. They would then cross the river at the Upper Crossing or tackle the high and dry stretch on the way to the Lower Crossing located in the present day Echo, Oregon. Middletown was later renamed Pendleton, after an Ohio presidential hopeful, in 1868 when the town really started to boom.
This route does not follow the Oregon Trail, though there are several spots where they meet. The pioneers instead chose to pit themselves against the hot and dry area the current Interstate 84 cuts through instead of the basalt cliffs, boggy marshes and dense vegetation that accompany Rieth Road. As the adventure begins, enjoy the view down onto the Umatilla River and the remnants of an old wigwam burner. The burner is missing its spark catching mesh and was most likely decommissioned in the early 1970’s. The town of Rieth is a short mile into the ride. The tiny town, named after a successful couple of sheep farmers based in Lord’s Valley, is built on a hillside and the streets are prone to hosting erosion debris. Carefully climb out of Rieth and marvel at the huge white barn that was once the epicenter of Eugene and Louis Rieth’s sheep operation.
Feel like an elite athlete on the ride to Echo. Though there are multiple uphill stretches, they are brief and never go over a 5% grade as the road follows the riverbed down to Echo. This infrequently traveled paved road does show signs of the passage of time and the instability of the bordering cliffs and canyons. Potholes and debris make it important to pay attention, but the lack of traffic gives the rider plenty of room to maneuver around any obstacles: rocks, turtles, birds of prey, etc. that might be found. A little over halfway to Echo, the railroad crosses the river on an iconic Warren Through Truss Bridge. The 1907 steel railroad bridge brought continued prosperity to the area by ensuring the transfer of goods from the Cunningham Sheep Ranch in Nolin.
The Cunningham Sheep Ranch, founded and nurtured by an Irish immigrant turned United States Navel Veteran, was considered one of the largest sheep operations in the area. The ranch continues to supply wool and mutton to the United States. They currently specialize in the Rambouillet breed. Rambouillet or French Merino stock, are noted for both their wool and succulence. Their wool, prized for its lengthy uniform fibers, allow smoother and less itchy wool fabrics to be manufactured. For eating, they are considered almost a mutton breed, making them a very versatile animal for human usage. I personally like their horns which when allowed to grow, curl about their ears like ringlets: or if you wish: egg noodles.
Glide into Echo for more Oregon Trail culture. Turn off Rieth Road onto West Main Street and cross the train tracks to find the hub of downtown. This once booming town still holds a high level of appeal with its lovingly refurbished downtown and beautiful parks. Those wishing to expand their minds should visit Fort Henrietta Park, The Chinese House and the Echo Bank Building and Museum. Those wishing to explore the local agricultural triumphs should visit the Sno-Road Winery Tasting Room. The tasting room is freshly remodeled having been a bowling alley, a fiberglass factory and later abandoned. Individuals that do not want to dine and dash should revel in camping in the same location as the pioneers, conveniently located next to downtown, at Fort Henrietta Park.
The return from Echo to Pendleton follows the same Rieth Road and gains 418 feet of elevation in the 22-miles of flowing fun. In the summer months, the Cliff Swallows greet cyclists and dine on all the annoying bugs that might otherwise make being right next to a river unpleasant. There is one historic site, Corral Springs, located around mile 26 on private property that you can hike to and see the wagon ruts. I suggest saving the hike for a nice winter day when all the Bromus tectorum is dormant.
Though there is a lot of visible water during this ride, I strongly suggest bringing sufficient water supplies, sunscreen, and to use the wonderful clothing technology has made available. I was reveling in the heat during this ride but am fully aware that the breeze created by my movement and the wicking of my cycling jersey made it an enjoyable experience. For those adventurers wanting a day without driving I suggest looking into the La Grande Arrow bus Schedule for a lift to and from Pendleton.