Now is an amazing time to enjoy the scenery along the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway All-American Road. The hillsides are many shades of green and wildflowers are in full bloom. There is still snow on the high peaks, adding depth and character to your photos.

Please take the road slowly and watch for hazards such as speeding vehicles and larger vehicles taking wide corners. Although it is a paved, two-lane highway, it is a backroad through a forested area, and anything can happen at any time. Always use caution and be aware that cell phone service is often not available, so getting assistance can be daunting. Be prepared – fill your tank before setting out (Joseph and Halfway have fuel stations) and carry drinking water, snacks and jackets for changes in the weather. Forest Service campgrounds are open and serviced by mid-June.
To experience the canyon from the bottom looking up at the dramatic basalt cliffs, go to Copperfield and cross the bridge to the Idaho side, then follow the Snake River downstream to the Hells Canyon Dam (24 miles of paved highway) and the Hells Canyon Dam Interpretive Center. This is in the heart of the canyon and the scenery is spectacular. Then backtrack toward Halfway to where the FS Road 39 leads into the forest for the section that offers grand views from the top, looking down into canyon country from the Hells Canyon Overlook. (Don’t miss the turn-off to the 2-mile drive to the overlook!)

AS mentioned elsewhere, there are highway construction projects in a couple of places along the byway’s state highways. In our region, highway officials must cram a lot of work into a few months of good weather. You may have to wait for up to 20 minutes in some situations, or you may just experience a slow-down through sections where one lane is closed during weekdays. Please use caution – we all appreciate the work it takes to keep our highways safe.
One last note: be sure to also watch for livestock along all sections of the byway. Ranchers are turning their cattle out to summer grazing and cattle have the right-of-way in Oregon, so may be on the road in remote places that aren’t fenced or where fences haven’t yet been fixed after the impacts of winter. Cattle drives take place on byway roads, as well. When encountering a cattle drive, please slow down. Cattle, calves, horses and dogs can be very unpredictable around vehicles, especially when stressed. Honking the horn won’t help and can cause an accident. Watch for signals from people tending the livestock, as they will help you navigate through the herd, whether you are traveling with or against the flow of animals. We appreciate your patience and hope you will enjoy this enduring and necessary spectacle of the West.

ENTERPRISE, OR__On the morning of June 11, at 6:00 a.m., NW Team 7 transitioned management of the fire back to local agencies. Northwest Team 7 would like to thank the entire Wallowa County community for their support as well as firefighters for all their hard work throughout this incident. Local agencies will continue to monitor conditions and will remain ready in the event there are changes to the current status.

Joseph Canyon Fire –   Start Date: June 4, 2021     Cause: Lightning     Size: 7,610 acres     Containment: 95%  Location: The Joseph Canyon Fire is located in steep rugged terrain of Joseph Canyon area of northern Wallowa County, Oregon.

Status: Weather patterns continued to provide favorable conditions for suppression actions due to cooler temperatures and scattered showers in the fire area yesterday. Minimal fire behavior occurred due to higher fine fuel moisture.

Dry Creek Fire – Start Date: June 3-4, 2021     Cause: Lightning     Size: 1,585 acres     Containment: 95%
Location:  The Dry Creek Fire is located in a remote and rugged part of Hells Canyon, northeast of Joseph, OR.

Status: Weather patterns continued to provide favorable conditions yesterday for suppression efforts due to cooler temperatures and scattered showers in the fire area. Minimal fire behavior occurred due to higher fine fuel moisture and precipitation.

Weather: Cloudy skies are expected, with a slight chance for afternoon showers. South winds of 5-10 mph.

Evacuations: There are currently no evacuation orders associated with the Joseph Canyon and Dry Creek fires.

Closures: The Nez Perce Tribe has temporarily closed the Precious Lands Wildlife Management Area in Northeastern Oregon: https://inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/article/7513/59633/

Fire Season Declared: Oregon Department of Forestry’s Northeast Oregon District proclaimed fire season began Wednesday, June 9, at 12:01 a.m. They have new fire restriction signs located throughout the district, with a Fire Prevention information line; (541) 975-3027 and a QR code which will take you to www.bmidc.org, for current information on fire restrictions.

Prevention Message: Whether we are out in nature or home in our backyards, remember that it’s our role to protect the lands we love by preventing wildfires and recreating responsibly.

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The Wallowa-Whitman National Forest issued the following press release, June 5, 2021. Please be extra cautious when traveling and recreating throughout Eastern Oregon, as fire danger is high early this season, due to drought conditions and low humidity.

JOSEPH, OREGON__Lightning activity from thunderstorms passing through the area Thursday night and Friday morning ignited multiple wildfires in the northeast corner of the state. Responding resources have successfully contained some of the ignitions, however others remain active and uncontained.
The Joseph Canyon Fire, initially reported Friday morning by Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR), is burning in steep rugged terrain in the Joseph Canyon area of northern Wallowa County, Oregon. Low humidity, warm temperatures, and breezy winds hampered firefighting efforts Friday and the fire rapidly spread through the grassy vegetation within the canyon and crossed over the state line into Washington. The fire continued to burn actively overnight in the flashy fuels and is estimated to be approximately 2,000 acres.
The fire is burning on lands protected by the Oregon Department of Forestry and Bureau of Land Management. A local interagency Type 3 team will shadow firefighters today and transition management of the fire to the team at 6 p.m. tonight.
A second fire, Dry Creek, is burning just to the east of the Joseph Canyon Fire. It is estimated to be 328 acres and is located solely on Wallowa-Whitman National Forest land.
All jurisdictions involved share common objectives in managing these fires, which is to fight the fires aggressively while maximizing the safety of the public and all fire staff involved. Due to the remote location and steep rugged terrain, the fires are mostly being fought by air attack. Rappelers, smoke jumpers and air tankers were brought in for initial suppression efforts. Three large airtankers dropped retardant along the perimeter of the Joseph Canyon Fire Friday to slow the fire growth. In addition to firefighter delivery, three Type 2 helicopters were used to drop water on hot spots. These aerial resources will continue to support firefighters on the ground today, as well as the addition of Single Engine Air Tankers. Active fire behavior is expected today with low humidity and increasing winds as a cold front passes through.

CONTACTS: Sara Bethscheider (541-426-5585) or Christie Shaw (541-263-0661)

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From Wallowa-Whitman National Forest: Wallowa Mountain Loop not currently open to wheeled vehicles for public safety

More information: Peter Fargo, Public Affairs Officer, 541-519-2809 or  peter.fargo@usda.gov

BAKER CITY, OR (March 12, 2021)__This winter, local authorities have assisted with multiple search and rescue efforts along the Wallowa Mountain Loop Road after cars and trucks became stuck in the snow.  To reduce this risk, the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest is reminding drivers that actively groomed snowmobile routes are not legal for wheeled vehicle travel under Oregon law (ORS 821.295).  This applies to the Wallowa Mountain Loop Road between Highway 86 junction near Halfway and the Salt Creek Summit Snow Park near Joseph.  The law also applies to the 39 Road from its intersection with the Imnaha River Road just south of the Imnaha Fish Weir.

The Wallowa Mountain Loop Road, also known as the 39 Road or North Pine Road, passes through the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area.  It is a groomed snowmobile route during the winter and will remain open to snowmobiles and individuals accessing private property.  Reflective barricades are in place on the south end of the road to deter wheeled vehicles from driving onto the groomed snowmobile route.  While the barricades are painted bright orange and reflective, all vehicle operators are advised to avoid a collision by noting the location of the barriers and nearby landmarks.  Please be extra cautious in low-light conditions.

“We plan to accommodate spring recreators and hunters by moving the barricades up the mountain as the snow recedes,” said Dan Story, Whitman District Road Engineer.  “This is a popular destination during all seasons, and especially for summer motorists, so we will be removing the barricades as soon as we can clear the road of down trees, boulders, and other obstacles.”

Mountain driving always has its risks.  Snow-covered roads may appear drivable until the vehicle reaches an obstacle, such as a tree or snow drift, and the driver is forced to stop, reverse, or turn around.  Many vehicles become stuck when the driver attempts to turn around and loses traction in the softer margins of the road.  Also, many on-board navigation systems are not up to date with seasonal conditions, especially in remote and rural areas.  Across the western US, there is a growing trend of these devices directing drivers to take backcountry routes that are not passable in winter.  It is best to check local information sources and know before you go.

Tips for a safer mountain driving experience during the winter and early spring:

• Use snow tires or chains as snow, ice, and water can create dangerously slippery roads.
• Be prepared to spend the night in your vehicle.
• Bring extra layers, handwarmers, sleeping bags, food, water, flashlights, extra batteries, and a kit to start a fire if necessary.
• Bring a satellite-based phone or emergency beacon in case you are out of cell range.
• Most importantly, make a plan and tell somebody else where you are going, your travel route, when you plan to return, and when you will check back in with them.
• Expect snowpack conditions to change as roads change in elevation and know that conditions at high elevations may remain impassable into July. Barricades are still in place at the junction of the Wallowa Mountain Loop Road and Highway 86 near Halfway, Oregon.

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From ODOT: Bridge repair work starts near Elgin March 29; Plan for delays

More information: Tom Strandberg, 541-663-6261 or thomas.m.strandberg@odot.state.or.us

ELGIN, OR (March 18, 2021)__Starting March 29, the Oregon Department of Transportation will be repairing the Grande Ronde River (South Elgin) Bridge along OR 82. The structure is located at milepost 19.2, less than a mile southwest of Elgin. Traffic impacts starting April 1 will include single lane travel across the bridge with traffic controlled by flaggers for the first day or two, as crews install temporary barriers down the middle of the bridge and temporary traffic signals at both ends of the bridge. Expect up to 20-minute delays.

Once the traffic signals are operational, wait times will be shorter, depending on traffic volumes. The temporary signals, lane closures and construction delays will continue 24/7 through the summer months.

Please be patient and plan extra travel time along this route. Obey flaggers and traffic signals at all times to keep everyone safe. Construction crews are working to repair deteriorating bridge conditions and improve safety for motorist, bicyclists and pedestrians.

Work includes removing and replacing the existing concrete overlay and bridge rail, and replacing the deck joints. All work is scheduled to be completed and lane restrictions removed by July15, 2021. Remember, traffic fines double in work zones.

We greatly appreciate your support and patience for this and all highway construction projects.

For more information check out the OR 82: Grande Ronde (South Elgin) Bridge Repairs project information page at www.tinyurl.com/odot5 .

In Northeast Oregon, summer and fall are packed with special events that celebrate the personality and history of each community. Special interest groups gather for car shows, motorcycle rallies, cycling events, rodeos and star-gazing. Go to the site’s Visitor Resources page and check out the calendars of events for each of the chambers of commerce. You are certain to find events that appeal to your interests.

The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center near Baker City offers entertainment and events of its own throughout the year. Coming to the center June 26 through 29 is musical duo Bill Boycott and Joanne Orr, who perform as Buffalo Bill and Dr. Jo.  This Lander, Wyoming, couple tours around the west, sharing the legacy of traditional and folk music, as well as original compositions and stories about the west – pioneers, cowboys, Native Americans, and the railroads. The couple uses vocals, guitar, banjo, mandolin, and fiddle. Their performance titled “Along the Oregon Trail” includes multi-media, as well as a program on Indian Sign Language. Known for their outstanding vocal harmonies, they won a Western Music Association Harmony Duo Award. Bill has also won awards for his traditional western style yodeling.

Buffalo Bill & Dr. Jo perform each day at 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 2 p.m., through Saturday, June 29.

While snow is still falling in the surrounding Wallowa and Elkhorn Ridge of the Blue Mountains, the valleys along the route are bright green with new grass, trees along the river banks are budding and pussy willows have spouted their soft kitty paws of seeds. Bright yellow forsythia bushes and a few pink and white flowering fruit trees add color to yards and garden patches of ranch houses.

For those of us who love animals, it is hard to beat the sight of frisky young calves in meadow after meadow – this is cattle country and there are thousands of cows getting anxious to take their babies from the winter feeding and calving grounds in the valleys to the fresh grass in spring and summer pastures in the hills. We noticed a lot of ranches were beehives of activity, as ranchers were taking advantage of the cloudy but dry weather to brand and vaccinate their herds in preparation of turning them out on the range. Brightly colored ear tags help match mother and calf, in case they get separated or need doctored. The family brand ensures a lost cow or calf can be returned to its owner or prevented from being sold by a cattle rustler – still the cause of economic loss across the west.

The spring scenery is truly spectacular! The mountains always look their bluest and tallest when tipped in white and partially shrouded by low hanging clouds. The rivers, streams and ditches are full and overflowing, giving the ground a good soaking that will keep fields green for several months. Flat-bed pickups, carrying black and white border collies and towing silver stock trailers, are ubiquitous on the country roads. Riders on horseback, mud-splattered ATVs and side-by-sides are everywhere, their people busy fixing fences, herding cattle and delivering minerals to tubs and feeders scattered across the fields.

We worked up an appetite just viewing it all and were pleased with the opportunity to try out The Main Place in Halfway. The restaurant and the building in which it is housed were given a complete renovation a couple of years ago, and the transformation is amazing. The historic building looks wonderful, inside and out, with a fine dining room, café and bar dividing the space in the ground floor and hotel rooms upstairs. A new patio and grassy enclosed lawn will be the perfect spot for outdoor dining and relaxing with a drink, once the weather warms. In our casual clothes, we opted for the café and each enjoyed a great meal that featured locally raised meat and fresh, flavorful side dishes. The staff was friendly, efficient and brushed away our apologies for the mud on our barn boots. We were assured that ranchers mix easily and often with visitors from urban areas and the café and town foster that exchange of cultures.

We didn’t travel the extra 14 miles to Oxbow Dam and the Snake River this time, but, will our next visit to the lovely Pine and Eagle Valleys. If not sooner, there is always our annual trip to Eagle Creek Orchard at New Bridge (near Richland, Oregon), where the organic peaches, pears and grapes are always sweet and delicious and well worth the scenic drive to seek them out. Jetboat rides, rafting, boating and fishing on the Snake River and Brownlee Reservoir bring lots of visitors to Halfway and Richland in summer and the winding roads through the rugged landscape are favorites for touring cyclists and motorcycle riders.

But don’t wait for summer! Now is the time for that scenic drive that only spring can offer.

Spring is finally in the air in Northeast Oregon. It’s been a long winter and we are pleased the season brought lots of snow to the high country and valleys. The deep snow means the FS 39 road that connects the Pine Valley with the Wallowa Valley will almost certainly remain closed to vehicles through May. We will post on this site when we hear from the Wallowa Whitman National Forest that the route is passable. In the meantime, you can explore the rest of the byway and all of the communities along the route and know that you will be enjoying beautiful scenery and a warm welcome from businesses.

Skillets for Cooks & Art Lovers

When Peter Clark discovered his roots included an ancestor who was the blacksmith on the Lewis & Clark Corps of Discovery, it wasn’t a total surprise. Peter had already chosen the same career. He has turned his skills toward making hand spun carbon steel skillets and hand forged utensils that are as pleasing to the eye as a pleasure to cook with.

The Art of Chocolate

The fine art of making chocolate delicacies seems right at home when sharing a retail space with fine art. Peterson Gallery & Chocolatier is a treat for the senses. Sip on rich drinking chocolate or let an artfully decorated truffle melt in your mouth, while viewing paintings and sculptures from area artists.

A Little Wine, Please

Whether made from grapes growing in the unique cobblestones of the Rocks District AVA, on the rolling hills near historic Echo or in the Keating Valley near Baker City, wine from Eastern Oregon has distinct characteristics that are worth discovering and sharing. Copper Belt Winery, located on a former cattle ranch that has been in the family for over a century, has a tasting room on Main Street in Historic Downtown Baker City. Pick up a bottle of their popular Rancher’s Red and sample the amazing selection of cheeses from around the world at the co-located Cheese Fairy, operated by the winemaker’s sister. Find a list of Eastern Oregon wineries, breweries and distilleries and start tasting.

Locally Grown, Created and Made

Two Mercantile establishments in Union County offer unique gifts from local artisan makers and growers. At Community Merchants in downtown La Grande, shop for high quality locally raised pork, beef and poultry, packaged for your holiday meals. Or, browse the wide selection of handmade jewelry, pottery and decorative items from artists who call this beautiful area home. Cat’s Paw Farm Mercantile is located on the north end of Union. Here, the proprietor is the maker of an amazing variety of soaps, lotions and potions, as well as jars of fresh small-batch mustards, soups and tea. The tiny shop is packed with great finds, but, if you want more selection, be sure to go to the website to complete your shopping. Many of ingredients that add fragrance and flavor come from the owner’s adjacent farm and garden.

Making Memories

Stir up memories, or curiosity, and consider the gift of a train ride that includes wine and chocolates or a robbery by mounted bandits. Or a tramway trip to the top of a mountain, where views are nothing short of breathtaking. Get a jump start on winter fun! Find more by ideas by exploring Visit Eastern Oregon.

Sixty years have passed, and Lyndall, a retired teacher and counselor, now shares her country property in the Grande Ronde Valley with two dogs, two cats, nine chickens and four horses – and with guests to her bed and breakfast inn. Now in its third year of business, Willow Creek Horse B & B is located near Summerville, a productive and scenic farming area north of La Grande, Oregon.

With horse facilities and ample parking for trailers, Lyndall invites her guests to bring their own horses and enjoy the easy access to trails into the mountains and quiet country roads. The restored historic home is beautifully furnished and filled with books. Friendly conversation about travels and life experiences is common around the breakfast table, where the meal often includes fresh produce from the La Grande Farmer’s Market.

“I’ve recently discovered how healthy I feel, and look, on a whole foods, plant-based diet,” said Lyndall. “So breakfast starts with fresh fruit and oatmeal with all the extras. If you want sausage, farm-fresh eggs and cinnamon rolls, we can do that, too.”

With grandchildren performing in theatrical and musical productions at both the historic Elgin Opera House and through Eastern Oregon University’s theater and music department, Lyndall says she will arrange for tickets for her guests and invites them to enjoy the high quality productions at both venues.

“I welcome my guests as friends, rather than customers,” said Lyndall, “and so far it’s working out well!”

Visit the website for photos and more information or
contact Lyndall, 541.534.4780 or lyndall.shick@gmail.com

Baker City, Oregon__The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center (NHOTIC) and Trail Tenders are hosting a variety of activities for visitors during “Family Fun Day,” the day after Thanksgiving, Friday, November 25, 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Family fun day offers a chance to learn more about the frontier and natural history of the region and to foster inter-generational connections. Visitors will be able to make rag dolls and dip candles. Other activities include a pioneer costume photo booth, a wildlife “skulls, scat and fur” table, as well as a variety of Junior Explorer workbooks.

Folk Musician Hank Cramer will perform in the Leo Adler Theater at 11:00 and 12:30. Wildlife-themed films will also be shown in the theater throughout the day. 

Operated by the BLM, the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is located five miles east of Baker City, Oregon, on Highway 86. Take Exit 302 from I-84. Exhibits include life-size dioramas of life on the Trail, hands-on activities such as packing your wagon, videos and interpretation. The Center is currently open from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Admission for adults is $5 and $3.50 for seniors; children 15 and under are admitted for free. Federal passes are also accepted.

Call (541) 523-1843 for updates on programs and events.

Bureau of Land Management – The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land, the most of any Federal agency. This land, known as the National System of Public Lands, is primarily located in 12 Western states, including Alaska. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. The BLM’s mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations. In Fiscal Year 2015, the BLM generated $4.1 billion in receipts from activities occurring on public lands.