Dave
Well-known member
So yesterday after church and lunch I just was sitting around. I did a few chores but it was about 40 out and drizzling. About 4:00 I asked the wife if she want to go for a Sunday drive. She did so off we went. We went to the Southeast to the Farewell Bend area where the Oregon Trail left the Snake River. At the river I knew there was a road that followed the river North. I had never been on that road. It turned out to be mostly gravel, fairly narrow, plenty of curves, straight up on one side, straight down on the other, and no guard rail. Lots of beautiful scenery but I had to keep both eyes on the road. It is the beginning of He77's Canyon. Rock formations, cliffs, the river, and cows out grazing on hills too steep to walk on in my estimation. If I remember correctly it was 48 miles to Richland. Most of it at about 25 MPH. From Richland we turned West up the Powder River to Baker City another 40+ miles. At Baker we turned back Southeast to get home. Took us a little over 4 hours of driving. Basically a triangle that is between 45 and 50 miles to each side. And there is no short cut through that area. Just a few two rut ranch roads that would still be impassable for a month or two.