Driving Across Oregon
 

On June 18 or 19 we will drive from west to east across Oregon on Highway 20 or Highway 26 and we want to know which of these roads offers the best high desert scenery.

I drove one of these highways 25 or 30 years ago. I thought it was 26, but I also remember spending a night in Burns, which is on 20.

Help please, HTTY

Dang: Once more lost a post trying to retreive a web page.

For the most part - and I have pretty much driven about everywhere in Oregon (grew up there - in Klamath Falls) - "high desert scenery" is about all the same. Flat and boring.

The best sight is if you leave at Oh Dark Thirty - you seen a magnificent sunrise. :)

Route 26 I believe goes by Mt. Hood? - but Burns - much as I admire small towns - is right out in the middle of nowhere - although it's great Elk and Mule Deer country around there and in the John Day area to the north.

Where are you coming from in western Oregon, and where are you going? That would make a difference, I would think. Hwy 26 passes close to Mt Hood, but Highway 20 goes through the cute town of Sisters and also Bend and has some stunning views of the surrounding peaks. You can go to Google Earth and zoom in to follow both routes and decide what looks best.

HTTY--I think 26 is more scenic. Once you get east of Bend, on hwy 20 there are just a few buttes, but on 26 the scenery varies much more and so to me, is more interesting. Enjoy the trip!

Thanks. We will definitely drive on Highway 26 from Sisters to John Day. I the stretch of 26 from Prairie City to Austin particularly scenic?

HTTY

Make sure you have a full tank of gas when you leave Redmond.
I remember spending a night in my car in John Day since I didn't have enough gas to make it to Burns and the only gas station opened at 9AM. The John Day hospital parking lot had 3 cars in it that night. In John Day visit Kim Wah Chung which is the oldest building in town.
Are you bound for Hells Canyon or Boise?

John Day is pretty amazing part of the country- are you going to the Fossil Beds or painted hills area? I was there last fall and loved it- the paleontology center is wonderful and there are several hikes/walks that are ranger led and very interesting.

If you have time for any side trips- Smith Rock ( not far from Redmond)- is an interesting place- world famous for rock climbing- there are several nice hiking/walking trails along the river and you can watch the climbers- or take a class if you are brave.

Thanks everybody.

We are on our way to Hood River via a route we haven't driven before. From John Day we plan to drive 395 to Ukiah, 53 to Heppner, and 74 to I-84. Is this a good plan, or is there a better way to go?

We will check out the Fossil Beds, but we won't have time for amazing Smith Rock on this trip.

HTTY

Have you been over Rt. 19 through Spray? The Sheep Rock Unit of the J.D. Fossil Beds is just north of US 26 along 19.
Unless ypu were planning on spending a night in John Day just plan on driving Rt. 19 all the way to I-84 at Arlington.
The road from Ukaih may be a Forest Service road.

The ranger led walk at Blue Basin ( not far from the paleontology center) is short and very interesting with a variety of fossils and examples of the critters who lived in the area- if the time of the walk does not work for you- 10:30 am- its easy to do by yourself, just not as interesting.

Thanks for the Blue Basin tip.

About the drive: the road out of Ukiah is a Forest Service road.

A few years ago we took a drive south on one of the north-south roads as far as a "ghost town" where there was a restaurant. I think it was on Highway 19, but I'm not certain.

We like to explore. What about this routing: 395 to Long Creek, 402 to Kimberly, 19 to 207, 207 to Heppner, and 74 to I-84?

HTTY

You might be thinking of Shaniko as the ghost town- we did not make it that far as I was traveling with some people who were wimpy travelers and did not want to make the drive. Looks interesting- can't advise on the rest of your route- we drove over to Condon - we were staying at Service Creek- but not much happening there. Had heard there was an old restored hotel but was not open when we were there.

I've been through Shaniko twice in the last month. It is still alive. Here is a picture of the Shaniko Fire Department: http://www.flickr.com/photos/davidgn/6033234750/
Shaniko is also home to Oregon's oldest active fire hydrant which was installed in 1900. The fire hydrant was made in Portland.