Oregon Bicycle Ride XXIII
Itinerary

August 9 - 15, 2009

Saturday, August 8 - Arrive in Heppner
 - Registration & Orientation

Heppner, the "Gateway to the Blue Mountains", is nestled in a small valley surrounded by wheat and cattle ranches and about an hour's drive from Pendleton. Over 100 years ago this sleepy little community was ravaged by a flash flood that took out every thing in its path. While there, take a walking tour of the historic buildings, check out the Agricultural and Heritage Museums, or cool off at the local water park. On the last day of the ride, spend a little time at the Morrow County Fair which will be in full force

Sunday, August 9 - Heppner to Monument
 - 76 miles and 6,890' CEG

Today's route takes us through high plateau wheat country of North Central Oregon. You will encounter two ghost towns during the first half of the day, Ruggs and Hardman. Hardman, formerly known as Dogtown, was once a thriving freight center along the Oregon Trail. You may want to take a break and check out the old businesses and homes that are still standing. You will enter The Umatilla National Forest for the first of several times during the week. Kimberly is an oasis along the John Day River with its many acres of orchards. Stop off and enjoy some of the fresh fruit that should be available. Monument, once a thriving sheep ranch area is just one of many small communities that dot the Northeastern area of Oregon.

Monday, August 10 - Monument to John Day
 - 58 miles and 4,965' CEG

You will wind your way through rolling hills which were formed by slow moving landslides and glaciers. The area is sprinkled with pine and juniper trees and open ranchland. About mid-day you will enter the dense forest of the Malheur NF. Old homesteads, pockets of thick forest, the John Day River, Cottonwood and Aspens trees, line the route for the last part of the day.

Tuesday, August 11 - John Day to John Day (layover day)
 - 74 miles and 4,883' CEG

There are numerous choices today. If you choose not to ride, you will have an opportunity to visit the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument where a new paleontology center has been built. You won't want to miss a visit to the Kam Wah Chung Museum in John Day and the historic Canyon City a short distance away. The brew pub and wine tasting are sure to be a big hit. The route follows quiet forest service roads lined with a mix of lush thick forest and open meadows looping the Strawberry Mountains.

Wednesday, August 12 - John Day to Unity
 - 75 miles and 5,450' CEG

Quiet roads lined with wild flowers, cattle ranches, gentle climbs and thick forests are the order of the early part of the day. There is a substantial climb and descent about mid-day. You will then drop out into the arid high desert with vistas of pillar rock formations and wide open spaces. Unity is another small community in the middle of ranching country.

Thursday, August 13 - Unity to Sumpter
 - 58 miles and 4,148' CEG

Start the day in the true spirit of Oregon cattle country with wide open rolling grasslands that meet the big beautiful blue sky. Leaving the Burnt River behind, the route takes you over Dooley Mountain and back into the thick green forest before descending to the Powder River. Before arriving in Sumpter, you will notice the dredge tailings from the gold mining days that took place many years ago. Sumpter has a long history from the gold mining days. A visit to the old Dredge and Cracker Creek Museum of Mining will take you back to those bustling days of the early 19th century.

Friday, August 14 - Sumpter to Ukiah
 - 65 miles and 4,980' CEG

As you travel through the heart of the Blue Mountains, imagine the activity and community that once occupied this area. Try to imagine, if you will, how difficult it must have been to get food and supplies to the people before roads were built. A few miles up the road from Sumpter is another mining town. Granite, originally named Independence, is probably the best known "ghost town" in Oregon. Because of its unique status, more and more people have been moving here. Watch for remnants of old gold mine shafts built into the sides of the mountains along the route. As you break out of the forest you will enjoy great vistas of the valleys below.

Saturday, August 15 - Ukiah to Heppner
 - 48 miles and 3,232' CEG

Descending into Heppner along Willow Creek, one can only envision what a 40' wall of water heading towards the valley floor might have been like. This cataclysmic event took place on a balmy June day in 1903. Just more than a hundred years later you can enjoy the calm placid creek with fertile green pastures and wild flowers lining the route on your return to Heppner where you began your adventure.

Total miles 454 with Long Option on Layover Day
Total CEG 34,548' with Long Option on Layover Day

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