1 The Lowlands
Set out from the Byway's western portal at
Heppner Junction - and Hermiston - and prepare for a history lesson. Willow Creek, near
the town of Cecil, was a popular stopping place along the Oregon Trail. Oregon Route 74
continues southeast along the creek, through wheat and canola fields and ranches, to the
agricultural communities of Ione and Lexington. These towns, which began as sheep
stations, still maintain classic examples of frontier architecture.
2 Heppner to the Highlands.
Nine miles beyond Lexington, Heppner is a commercial and
recreational gateway to the Blue Mountains. Visit the Morrow County Museum to learn about
the settlement days and the flood of 1903. A historic walking tour features a number of
turn-of-the-century buildings, including the blue-stone courthouse. Willow Creek Lake
offers boating and fishing about a one-mile walk from downtown.
3 See the Forest for the Trees
From Heppner, the Byway follows Willow Creek Road, then
Forest Service Road 53 as it climbs into the Umatilla National Forest. Within its 1.4
million acres of pine and fir trees, the forest has plenty to offer hikers and horseback
riders. As you travel, notice how the forest is recovering from a wildfire and an insect
epidemic. Just north of Cutsforth Park, a popular camping and picnic spot, the Coalmine
Hill day-use area provides access to several hiking and horseback trails. Farther along
the Byway, Potamus Point provides a dramatic view of the "Wild and Scenic" North
Fork John Day River.
4 Unique Ukiah
The Byway emerges from the forest and descends into an
ancient lake basin that - according to Indian legend - was permanently emptied by an
earthquake many moons ago. The basin is where you'll find Ukiah, a little town surrounded
by bright blue camas flowers in the spring.
5 Farther into the Forest
After crossing U.S. Route 395 and the Camas River, the Byway continues
southeast, climbing quickly into the forest again. Soon, you'll come to the Bridge Creek
Wildlife Area, a habitat for a variety of animals, including a herd of more than 16,000
Rocky Mountain elk. About nine miles east of here, the North Fork John Day Overlook
presents a spectacular view of the John Day Wilderness to the north and the Strawberry
Mountains to the south. Also along this portion of the route are an abundance of
campgrounds and great fishing sites for steelhead and Chinook salmon on the North Fork
John Day and Camas rivers.
6 Finishing Touches
The Byway's east portal is located at the North Fork John Day
Campground, another popular fishing spot. From here, the Byway overlaps with the Elkhorn
Drive Scenic Byway to provide a relaxing alternative to traveling I-84. Take Forest
Service Road 73 east through Anthony Lakes to Haines, or south through the mining towns of
Granite and Sumpter toward Baker City. You may also return to I-84 by heading north on
Forest Service Road 51 and following the Grande Ronde River to LaGrande.
