Eastern Oregon Extravaganza Loop

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La Grande, Joseph, Halfway, Baker City, Union, Elgin, OR, US

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Mountain Works Bicycles LLC

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274 mi.

16,137 ft.

A wondrous 5 day extravaganza of beautiful scenery and isolated roads in Eastern Oregon. The main highlight is the forested, seasonal, All American Road NFS 39. Each day faces 42 to 77-miles of travel, delightful elevation gain and loss and places to camp or nestle into a welcoming hotel.

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Route Details

**Eastern Oregon Extravaganza Loop**

As fall sends students back to school and cool nights sprinkle the forest with Larch needles, it is the perfect time to participate in a multi-day Eastern Oregon road bike-riding extravaganza.  This five-day journey covers 273 miles of incredible scenery and features a large portion of the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, a nationally recognized All American Road.  As sections of this route are highly trafficked by vacationers, it is important to schedule the cycling enjoyment of these areas to avoid time spans such as, Memorial, Independence and Labor Day weekends.

The five days of insurmountable cycling beauty are broken into the following chunks; Elgin to Joseph, Joseph to Halfway, Halfway to Baker City, Baker City to Union and Union to Elgin.  Each day faces 42 to 77-miles of travel, delightful elevation gain and loss and places to campout or nestle into a welcoming hotel.

@slice[**DAY ONE – ELGIN TO JOSEPH**](d,24.16,84825.95)

Don high visibility clothing and flashing taillights to enjoy Oregon Highway 82 traveling east from Elgin to Joseph.  This 52-mile cyclist dream of scenic grandeur starts in @poi[Elgin, Oregon](5374064).  Park at the Elgin Community Center and enjoy the adjacent Tom McDowell Park while getting ready for your journey.  Acknowledge the old passenger railcars waiting for the [Eagle Cap Excursion Train](http://eaglecaptrainrides.com) to arrive and the historic [Opera House](http://elginoperahouse.com) on the way out of Elgin to the east.  Just across the Grande Ronde River on Oregon Highway 82 otherwise known as the Wallowa Lake Highway, the most abrupt elevation gain of the day begins.

The two miles to the saddle of Power House Hill gives the feeling of arriving at a destination as the swells of Cricket Flat flow out in glorious pastoral splendor punctuated by an occasional pocket of Ponderosa and Fir tree stands.  Throughout these first 8.5 miles, it is possible to see the tail end of the Blue Mountains, Mount Harris, Mount Emily, Indian Valley and the Wallowa Whitman National Forest prior to arriving at the precipice of Minam Hill.

@photo[Minam Grade](3242125) is a stupendous decent.  Over 1,100 feet are lost in approximately four miles of smooth newly reconstructed road with wide shoulders to allow for optimal cornering.  The vista, should you tear your eyes away from the pavement, drops straight from towering ridges to Squaw Creek and the Minam River.  The descent ends where the highway crosses the Minam River.  Minam hosts lodging, a tiny store, a charming Oregon State Park, fishing, boating, and the start of a day trip for the [Joseph Branch Railriders](http://jbrailriders.com).

The next section of riding winds through the @photo[Wallowa River Canyon](3242126) next to the Wallowa River.  Wallowa, the Nez Pierce word for fish trap, is a good description of the area.  During the correct seasons there are multiple pullouts populated by anglers focused on Steelhead and Trout.  The road through the canyon is significantly narrower than Minam Grade.  Lack of width and increased traffic are the main reasons to wait until after the summer tourist season is over to enjoy this road.  Since the Wallowa River runs into the Minam from Wallowa Lake the next 40 miles have a slight uphill grade of 1-2% but the wildlife, river and small towns make the miles fly by.  There are at least three wayside rest areas to picnic, use the restroom and possibly restock on water in the canyon.

Upon entering the Wallowa Valley, the sequential thirty-miles are punctuated by little towns every ten or so miles.  At mile 23, turn south onto Lower Diamond Lane.  Lower Diamond Lane flows through field and ends in Wallowa.  Wallowa is a quiet little town that hosts a variety of small shops including a grocery and Little Bear Drive-In.   I suggest warming up with a delightful cup of coffee and possibly a delectable baked good at the Blonde Strawberry.

Continue on Highway 82.  A short nine –miles later, Lostine, home to the Blue Banana and a variety of shops welcomes you.  Following is the main center of commerce for the Wallowa Valley, Enterprise.  I suggest restocking whatever you might need here.  Upon leaving Enterprise, turn off Highway 82 onto South River Street which becomes Hurricane Creek and delivers you to Joseph.

@photo[Hurricane Creek Road](3254936) is worth every thought of effort as the Wallowa Mountains boom out of Alder Slope and the ground squirrels and baby horses keep you company.  The paved version of Hurricane Creek Road morphs into Airport Lane at the quaint Hurricane Creek Grange and rolls into Joseph just past the local airport.  Small unique planes that land well at high altitudes with a short landing strip, frequent the airport and offer a bit of eye candy.  Be sure to finish this splendid day at @poi[Wallowa Lake.](5409572)

@slice[**DAY TWO – JOSEPH TO HALFWAY**](d,84002.13,209489.78)

Start day two of this escapade in @photo[Joseph, Oregon](3241890).  This ex-mill town and home to Wallowa Lake, greets visitors with a picturesque downtown and Chief Joseph Mountain standing sentinel 5440 feet of elevation above the town.  Leave lovely Joseph by riding east on Oregon Highway 350:  the Imnaha Highway, toward Imnaha and Ferguson Ridge.  The bustle of Joseph is quickly forgotten as the back of the Wallowa Lake Moraine, Mount Howard, Bonneville Mountain and Chief Joseph Mountain frame @photo[antiquated barns](3242142), old farmsteads and hayfields.  Work out the kinks in your legs the first eight miles with a gradual incline that summits on Sheep Creek Hill before flowing down to Little Sheep Creek and turning south onto Wallowa Mountain Road, the beginning of NFS Road 39 to Salt Creek Summit and Halfway.

The remoteness, sweeping vista, steep hillsides and bubbling brooks that make this such a wonderful road to ride also make it prone to seasonal closures and nature’s destructive impulses.  NFS Road 39 is seasonally maintained and frequently closed due to wildfires and landslides during the spring and late summer.  Before leaving on this adventure, I highly recommend contacting the Wallowa Whitman Nation Forest managers to make sure the road is passable.

Begin the first of two substantial inclines with Salt Creek Summit.  This ten-mile climb gives the cyclist plenty of time to reflect on the idyllic cabins, open cattle range and backcountry skiing possibilities as it gains elevation at a steady rate briefly topping out at a 8.9% grade.  Enjoy 5 miles of easy gliding from Salt Creek Summit to Lick Creek Campground before puffing around Tyee and Nesbit Buttes.  At this point in the ride, the lack of civilization may have wormed its way into ones contentiousness.  Though isolated, there is a variety of campgrounds and springs that can supply one with restrooms and water.

Continue to skirt Nesbit Butte in the most splendid way possible, the flight to Gumboot Creek.  This jewel of cycling pleasure goes through mature Ponderosa Pines that fill the air with their sweet vanilla smell, red igneous rocks that frame the wild sunflowers and the iconic Cercocarpus ledifolius.  The Mountain Mahogany is a plant very indicative of Hells Canyon in that it is inconspicuous but has a wealth of history and uses.

Historically, the Nez Perce and Shoshone tribes that roamed Hells Canyon loved the native plant for its scrappy limbs and medicinal leaves.  Wildlife treasure it for shade and a few nibbles of sustenance.  This flowing glissade ends as the Imnaha River gains strength through the additions of Gumboot, Blackhorse and Dry Creeks.

Shortly after passing the beautiful Ollokot Camp Ground start the second major grade of the day. This 13-mile stretch will make use of all your gears as at one point it registers a brief 9.8% slope.  The most important part of this section is to not miss the turn onto NFS Road 490 that weaves out to the @poi[Hells Canyon Overlook](5409571).  This three-mile out and back snotty addition brings the adventurer to 5573 feet of elevation and provides the chance to gaze down on the Snake River approximately 4370 feet below.   The overlook has a variety of kiosks that discuss the formation of the 652,488 acre Hells Canyon National Recreation Area on display below with acts of congress and the classification of the Snake River as a wild and scenic.  For lovers of geology there is also the discussion of tropical sea floors being thrust out of place to create the glowing limestone cliffs into being, plate tectonics, active and dormant volcanoes and epic lava flows.  The overlook is a step back into civilization with tour guides speaking multiple languages and tourist from around the world snapping pictures.

Swoop back to NFS Road 39 and continue to lumber on before cresting onto a south facing rocky hillside.  The beginning of this 18 miles of gravity assisted riding has more rock fall and deteriorated riding surface than the rest of the route but the lack of cars give cyclist plenty of room to maneuver.  Soon the technical riding of the first few miles are forgotten in the smooth pavement resulting from the most recent washouts caused by the numerous small creeks in their haste to join the Imnaha River.  Road 39 morphs into North Pine Road and eventually butts into Highway 86.  Those wishing to camp might consider turning left and traveling a flowing six miles to stay at @poi[Copperfield Campground in Oxbow](5409570).  Travelers happy to stay in local lodgings should veer right toward Halfway.

[Halfway](http://visitbaker.com) is a cute little town that has a long history of extraction commerce.  The local Pine Valley Museum highlights a history of mining, logging and ranching.  Like all the towns on this route it is worth a little extra time to visit the museum, taste the local flavors and marvel at the view.  This day two of an epic Eastern Oregon road bike-riding extravaganza contains the longest mileage but does feature a descent long enough to run out of show tunes to whistle.  Many individuals bent on experiencing this magnificent All American Road tackle it from the Halfway side resulting in 18 plus miles of climbing.  I personally know which one I prefer, happy cycling.

@slice[**DAY THREE – HALFWAY TO BAKER CITY**](d,207536.01,295194.2)

Begin the day in the quaint, historic town of Halfway ready to enjoy 54 miles of distant peaks, sagebrush and rocky canyons starting in Pine Valley and then ending in Baker City.  The Cuddy, Hitt and Wallowa Mountains nestle Pine Valley with its rich history of mining, logging and farming, on its seasonally marshy bench.  Miners liberated at least 316,377 ounces of gold from the area’s Cornucopia Mining District in a short 60 years starting in 1870.  A number of hair-raising endeavors, including the highest single suspension tramline in the world, were used to harvest the bounty of the area.  For more information on their exploits and adventures I highly encourage visiting the local Pine Valley Museum, the local Forest Service Office or the site of the Old Ellingson Mill.

Wheel out of Halfway, cycling southeast, on Oregon State Highway 86, also known as the Baker-Copperfield Highway.    A short mile out of town you will see an old wigwam burner.  The @photo[wigwam](3242127) was an integral part of the Old Ellingson Mill and there are now kiosks with information on the sight.  The first climb of the day winds past Posy Valley and tops out by China Spring.  It is four miles long and gains 1,093 feet of elevation.  Most of the climb is gradual except the last half-mile where it kicks up to almost a 10% grade.  Relish the exhilarating five-mile plunge to Eagle Valley and the panoramic views of jagged mountaintops and wild grazing lands.  Those looking to add a few miles to the day, and a little water, should visit Harry M. Hewitt Memorial Park.  The park, where the Oregon record smallmouth bass was caught in 1978, rests on the Powder River section of the Brownlee Reservoir.  To get to the park turn southeast onto Robinette Road as the decent slows from China Spring and Richland looms.  Hewitt Park will add about four miles of mostly flat riding to the route. 
Swoop into Richland, home of the annual Panfish Tournament.  Eagle Valley is surprisingly low in elevation when compared to the surrounding areas.  The advantages of a longer growing season and the converging rivers led Richland to a strong supporting role during the lumber and mining booms.  Richland’s current claim to fame focuses around the Pomoxis, or Crappie, located in the Powder River just prior to it merging with the Snake River.  Brownlee Dam, erected in 1978, flooded the nearby town of Robinette and brought the art of lake fishing to the farming community.

Leave Richland continuing west, toward Baker City, with a short climb past Dance Hall Road.  The sequential 15-miles go up the Powder River at a fairly benign pitch.  Enumerable gulches and tributaries join the river and rocky basalt bluffs please the eye.  There is not a lot of shoulder on this portion of the ride and the many curves make it one of the sections of the Northeast Oregon Extravaganza best not traveled on a holiday weekend.  One unique focal point on the route is the Hole in the Wall Slide.  The fall of1984 was a very wet and the moisture saturated the different layers of the ground to the extent that over ten million cubic yards of rock and soil slid to cover the roadbed and dam up the Powder River.  After much angst, calculation and isolation the road was rerouted and the river worked its way through, over and around the debris.   Now it is a short little climb with an interesting view next to the Minnie May Mine.

As the road exits the canyon and opens up into the Lower Powder Valley, delight in the small farms filled with cattle, horses and all sorts of wildlife.  The final incline pushes into Virtue Flats and passes a multitude of old mining claims and sagebrush before intercepting the Oregon Trail.  The Oregon Trail was not so much a freeway as it was a collection of ruts and suggestions of a direction of travel.  The 2170-mile journey started in Missouri and ended at the Willamette Valley.  The more treacherous the terrain, the deeper the ruts from the wagons were and the more the area was journaled about.  On the west end of Virtue Flats, where the old Flaggstaff Gold Mine once uncovered $100,000 worth of gold ore, resides the [National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretative Center](http://trailtenders.org).
The Interpretative Center just celebrated its 25 anniversary and has a number of interesting exhibits.  There are also four miles of hiking trails and ruts left from the wagons.  It is always interesting to visit the center itself but for those feeling the call of Baker City there are a handful of kiosks and the lower end of the trails right next to Highway 86.

As you charge into Baker Valley, remember the pioneers with all their belongings squished into the wagons gazing at the arid beauty of the valley and wondering at the lone pine in the center offering a brief respite from the sun.  Turn off Highway 86 around mile 51 onto Atwood Road and weave your way onto Campbell Street and into Baker City’s breath taking downtown.   Baker City has a handful of hotel, bed and breakfast and camping options.  The downtown food and shopping is delightful but often sparse on Sunday.  A bike path runs along Powder River and there are various parks in which to relax.  I hope day three of the Northeast Oregon Extravaganza with 54 miles of beauty, 4150 feet of elevation gain and 3352 of elevation loss was worth a diary entry.

@slice[**DAY FOUR – BAKER CITY TO UNION**](d,296749.46,365862.86)

Day four follows a 46-mile section of [The Grande Tour Scenic Bikeway](https://traveloregon.com/things-to-do/outdoor-recreation/bicycling/road-biking/grande-tour-scenic-bikeway/).  The Grande Tour Scenic Bikeway is one of twelve routes in Oregon selected by State Parks for their natural, cultural and scenic excellence.   The complete Grande Tour contains 134 miles of scenic splendor with route directional signs going both ways.  It also contains kiosks sporting important information such as maps, amenities and intermodal connections.   There are kiosks in both Baker City and Union that might provide additional information.  The Baker City kiosk is located at the Baker City Visitors Center wedged between Interstate 84 and Campbell Street.

Leave Baker on Campbell Street heading north, following the Scenic Bikeway signs.   Enjoy a brief warm up session as you cross Missouri Flat.  Missouri Flat hosts the only section of this route without pavement.  The crushed granite stone of Lindley Road is lighter in color than expected and much smoother.  However, the newly paved West Airport Road to the west running along I-84 is a viable option for those with a thirst for pavement. 
The south end of Medical Springs Highway 203 starts approximately six miles north of Baker.  There is a mile long 3% grade exiting Missouri Flat but that possibly sweaty effort leads to the rolling plunge into Salt Creek and the Lower Powder Valley.  Cyclists get to witness a different kind of life as ground squirrels hide behind wildflowers and sagebrush from birds of prey. Breathtaking vistas into the Wallowa and Elkhorn mountain ranges as well as the Lower Powder and Baker valleys tease the rider with the chance of yet a better photo opportunity.

Leaving Lower Powder Valley is bittersweet, as the beauty does not leave but the downhill does.  The next section contains remote rolling drainages coupled with two 4% grade inclines, rocky rangeland and beautiful Ponderosa Pine stands.  The rocky terrain illustrates rancher ingenuity with the variety of fence designs and rock jacks.

@poi[Pondosa](5409574), once a booming lumber town but now a sleepy general store, nods to cyclist as they power up to tackle Catherine Creek Summit.  Fraiser Mountain at 5444 feet and Bald Hill at 5412 stand as sentinels to the Grande Ronde Valley as riders pass @photo[Catherine Creek Summit](3242143) at 4179.96 feet and swoop 15 miles into Union.  Union offers a number of interesting places to stop, eat, stretch and spend the night.

@slice[**DAY FIVE – UNION TO ELGIN**](d,367741,443627.44)

Day five of the Northeast Oregon Extravaganza Loop contains 47 miles of wandering through the Grande Ronde Valley, more elevation loss than gain and a flowing ribbon of road that never tops a 5% grade.  Begin the day on the far southeast side of the Grande Ronde Valley in @photo[Union, Oregon](3243376).  The one time county seat was historically a thriving mecca of commerce.  It retains many Victorian houses and buildings lovingly restored to their former splendor.  Begin the voyage north out of town by turning onto E. Bryan Street, then the Union/Cove Highway 237, following the signs toward Cove.  As you glide toward Cove, enjoy the dry rocky volcanic outcroppings to the east, left over from the ancient Columbia River Lava Flows, and the marshy lush Grande Ronde Valley to the west.  Swoop around the frequently windy Phy’s Point and begin the two mile gradual climb to Cove.

Cove, originally dubbed Forest Cove, is nestled up against Mount Fanny, the tallest of the surrounding mountains and a foothill of the Wallowa Mountain Range.  The area, once called Wiweeletitpe, “Many creeks flowing in that place,” by the Cayuse and Nez Pierce tribes has been a cultivated fruit basket since the mid to late 1800’s.  The combination of shelter from the wind and the various warm spring creeks that do not freeze in the winter made it an ideal place for crops such as cherries and plums.  The town grew quickly, catering to miners, loggers, flourmill workers and orchardists.

Unfortunately, fire struck Cove twice, resulting in the downtown historic buildings burning in their prime.  The majority of the remaining historic buildings are scattered around the outskirts of town.  Currently, Cove is a sleepy hamlet that hosts year round camps, a Cherry Fair and retains a picturesque example of @photo[Gothic Church](3242119) architecture built in 1876.

Exit Cove and persist north onto Lower Cove Road.  Enjoy the gradual rollers along the edge of the Grande Ronde Valley and the beautiful vistas of Grey Mountain, Mount Harris, Gasset Bluff, the valley and the Blue Mountains rising up on the other side.  Take time to note how many farms throughout this section of riding have a Century Farm or Ranch placket gracing their front posts.  Recognized Century Farms are those that have been continuously owned, and operated by members of the same family for a minimum of 100 years.  Union County has close to 40 farms that meet this description and at least 18 of which still use a number of the old buildings.  Enjoy the old barns, sheds, use of leftover steel and houses as you revel in the consistency of the pioneering families.

Lower Cove Road morphs into Market Lane just prior to crossing the Grande Ronde River and heading out of the shelter of the foothills to brave the marshy terrain and wind of the Grande Ronde Valley.  Just past the river is a little pocket park where the @poi[Lower Cove Schoolhouse](5409577) used to sit.  Currently there is a picnic table, tree and a water pump.  The pump works but the water has a mineral laden flavor best savored after a few hours of airing.

The Grande Ronde Valley is appropriately named, as it is big and round and has only one natural outlet.  The Valley is part of the Colombia River Plateau however; it has been trying to retreat as quickly as possible at a measurable .07-.18 mm per year, for the last nine million years.  The movement of the valley floor makes for interesting aerial photos of fence and hedge lines.  The sinking of the valley floor also allows for the presence of Artesian Wells.  Many of the deep wells in the center of the valley used for agricultural do not need a pump to get the water out of the ground.  The conical shape of the left over clay, gravel and basalt flows created a confined aquifer that in turn pushes the water to the surface when there is a breach in the sealed top layer.  To reach the top layer of such an aquifer, many equipment and man-hours are needed to reach depths of 3,000-4,000 feet below the ground surface.  The Grande Ronde Valley is home to a handful of these wells and the deepest well in Oregon.

Turn north onto Case Road around mile 23 noting the century farm on the corner.  Case Road butts into Alicel Lane.  Turn west toward Alicel.  Alicel houses a small community with grain elevators and access to the railroad.  Turn north onto the Wallowa Lake Highway 82 traveling toward Imbler.  The next four-mile stretch of road is one of the busiest on this ride and best-tackled midday when the surrounding bedroom communities are not hurrying to work.  The large buildings along this section are independently owned seed farms mostly used for drying, storing and packaging different wheat and grass seeds.  As you enter Imbler, there is a pioneer church with a variety of kiosks discussing some of the local families, farms and traditions.  The local market sells delicious deli sandwiches made to order and the park on Esther Avenue is an excellent place for lunch.  Old stories tell of the pioneers trying to harvest fruit in this fertile area but losing unacceptable amounts of product to the wind blowing it from the branches.  Mint and other ground crops that can remain planted over the winter for stabilization seem to do the best in this section of the valley.

Leave Imbler and the Wallowa Lake Highway on Summerville Road touring west.  Around mile 30.7 wave to the Summerville Cemetery, and its pioneer roots, before descending toward Summerville.  Just prior to entering Summerville with its notorious post office, general store, bar conglomerate, turn west on 4th street, which becomes McKenzie Lane.  Cycle up to the foothills of Huckleberry and Thimbleberry Mountains past birds of prey, wandering streams, @photo[beautiful barns](3242121) and frisky horses.  Continue west onto Hunter Road before turning east onto @photo[Dry Creek Lane](3242122) and returning to Summerville Road.  The view of the other end of the valley where you started the day is worth every pedal pump.

Trek north again rolling over Pumpkin Ridge before gliding down to Philips Creek and the Weston/Elgin Highway 204.  Turn east toward Elgin and prolong the three-mile slide next to Philips Creek into Elgin.  Enjoy the smell of fresh lumber at the Boise Cascade Elgin Stud Mill before entering yet another historic and beautiful downtown.  I hope throughout the past 5-day escapade that your adventure cup was filled with beautiful vistas, memorable evenings and delightful camaraderie.

Eastern Oregon Extravaganza Loop

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