Eastern Oregon Tour V3.0

I guess we're not all that scientific about it. You can't swing a dead beaver in this state without running into something spectacular. As was suggested, get yourself a Benchmark Map and just ride.

Northeastern corner, Joseph, the Wallowa Mountains, Hell's Canyon. Must see.
Southeastern corner, Frenchglen, Steens Mountain Loop, the Alvord Desert on the other side of the mountain. Amazing.
Central, Bend, Mt. Bachelor, Cascade Lakes Scenic Loop. Mmmmm.
Northern border, Hood River, the Gorge. Beyond comparison
Coastal. All good, but the farther south the better, IMO
Central/Eastern. John Day, a few different John Day Fossil Beds if you're into that kind of thing
South/Central, Lakeview, Hart Mountain Antelope Refuge, Hart Mountain Hot springs: remote, amazingly quiet, excellent stargazing

Throw a dart and just go.

Thanks, Z. Couldn't have said it better!

Last summer I guided my brother and nephew on a nice little trip from the southwest corner of the state (Crescent City, Ca, actually) to the northeast corner. Lots of great roads and sights along the way. A rather lame ride report can be viewed here.

I'm in! And maybe incorporate some of the destinations of this tour.... http://oregonairporttour.org/about.html

I've seen the map of airports and many are way out east in remote locations.

Can you bring a map or list of airports to a meet up?

That is classified information ! You gotta sign up for the program then you get your very own list and map of Airports. If your too cheap for that you could just hang out by the local airport of your choice. When you see a plane take off just follow it...they are all going to another airport, eventually you will find all the other airports and you won't need no stinking map....

I'll gladly be classified as too cheap to spend $25 on something I may or may not use...

Thinking about something different from the last two years...

See http://ridewithgps.com/routes/2209672 for a possible route for this year's tour.



Starts and ends in Springfield, covers about 1300 miles and hits the following highlights:

• Painted Hils
• Sumpter Gold Dredge
• Succor Creek and Leslie Gulch
• Silver City, Id. (why not?)
• Cliffs/Pillars of Rome
• Pete French Round Barn

The last one depends on availability of fuel in Frenchglen -- any news on that from anyone?

We can also swing by at least three of those airports, Rideabout. And don't forget the hot springs, including one near the bottom of Leslie Gulch. It's about four miles upstream, is usally accessible only by boat, but if the resevoir is low enough to ride along the shore...

I've tried to build in some variety and some stretches of gravel each day.
As usual, all this is not set in stone -- just one set of options. Other ideas?

Reservoir will be full in May. There are other Hot Springs on your route though.

Yah, I wondered about that. I've only been there in late September...

Silver City will more than likely be snowed in that early, but if not.... it's a neat place to visit!

Yep, may be an issue. I did, however, check the elevation, and it's no higher than places I've camped in the Blue Mtns at the same time of year. I'm gonna guess its a crap shoot... We'll see when we get there.

bumpy roads?

Out of the 1200 or so miles I've got in mind, prolly 200 or more of it is on gravel, most of which is occasionally groomed.

A couple people have suggested some alternate routes into the Succor Creek/Leslie Gulch area. It could get interesting.

This is still on with one major adjustment: four days instead of five.
Now May 16-19, Thursday thru Sunday.

Itinerary to include a night each in the Blue Mountains, Leslie Gulch, and Hart Mountain.
Still plan on a fair amount of gravel...

Hmmm... Other thoughts as I think them...

Hey, those dates are looking a little better.

Where are you guys departing from on the 16th? Still looking at sub 300 mile days?

Departure remains Springfield, but we can meet up elsewhere along the way... Redmond, Prineville, ?

I haven't worked out a detailed itinerary yet so exact mileage is still unknown.
Details to follow, but assume maximum mileage/day will be in the neighborhood of 300.

I put the time up on the work Calendar. I have a new boss as of Yesterday, we'll see how that goes over. SWMBO gave me a "Hall Pass" for that weekend also.

Who's in on this deal so far?

Leaving from Springfield works, I could run down there the night before after work, just gotta find a place to camp where I won't get shived in the middle of the night.

I still have it on the calendar as well. Work is uh...lets just say challenging right now. So I'm either going to make a week of it and meet you guys along the way or I won't be able to do it at all.

A proposed route may be viewed here.


Approximate mileage/day:

1. 235
2. 290
3. 255
4. 325

Route includes fuel at no more than 190 miles between stations.

Expect dry camping and the need to buy/carry water.
Bring a few sticks of firewood, if you can.

Meals are on your own, unless a chef steps up.

More as I think of it...

Looks like a great route to me. I haven't toured around southern Oregon at all, so it's all new to me. I do hunt around Silver Lake area, and Thompson Reservoir, but been decades since I've been east of there.

Mountain House works for me, plus the normal stops to support the local economies. I tend to over pack a bit, so not sure I can realistically carry much wood.