|
Eastern Oregon:
Elkhorn Scenic Byway
Hoffer
Lake |
Length:
106 miles / 169.6 km
Time to Allow: 5-7 hours
Fees: A few museums charge fees. So do some campgrounds.
Driving
Directions
From Bend, take State Highway 372 (Century Drive) east for 4.5 miles to
the boundary of the Deschutes National Forest where the Byway begins.
The Byway comes to an end as Forest Route 46 meets State Highway 58.
Description
This 106-mile loop takes you through the Elkhorn Mountains, gold-mining
ghost-towns, and along elegant lakes and rivers. You can learn a lot of
history here, and also hunt, fish, camp, boat, ski, and hike.
Points
of Interest
Anthony
Lake is much bigger than Grande Ronde Lake, but it's just as serene.
Angell Peak staggers above (and on the reflection of) this crystal-clear
lake. A breeze always whispers-it's up so high-which makes the easy, lake-circumscribing
trail even easier. The campground is open from July to late Sept. Camping
does cost a fee. Day-use does not.
 Baker
City Historic District - Of the 110 buildings in the Historic District,
60 have been restored to their original elegance. Some are now banks,
bed and breakfasts, and museums, etc. Restorations are continuing; the
tall and white 1927 Baker Hotel, (the site of political conventions,)
is being redone at the time of this writing (summer 2000).
Baker City
was known as the 'Queen City of the Mines,' and by 1900, its population
was larger than Boise's (at the time.) An excerpt from the Walking Tour
Guide: 'Restarants in fine hotels served superb cuisine…the opera house
was frequently filled to capacity…The 1800 block on the east side of Main
had five saloons and several brothels. Children and ladies avoided the
block, but the Salvation Army band played there nightly, hoping to rescue
fallen souls.'
Eastern
Oregon Museum - Often called 'Grandma's attic,' this museum boasts
over 10,000 items; an outstanding collection of household, farming, mining,
and pioneer artifacts. The old Union Pacific depot is on the grounds;
it was donated when the railroad discontinued stops at Haines in 1962.
There is also a century-old poplar tree from Washington Gulch; a scythe
has grown into the tree where a forgetful harvester hung it before the
turn of the century. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 15 to Oct. 15.
Groups by appointment (call 541.856.3233) There are no fees, but donations
are accepted.
Source:
© National Scenic Byways / U.S. Department of Transportation
|
