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Wallowa Mountain Rambler
Set your heart free in big sky country
MEETING DAY: Arrive in Baker City. Come early and visit the Oregon Trail Interpretative Center or take a leisurely stroll through the historic downtown. For your first night you will be staying in the Geiser Grand Hotel in the heart of Baker City. We’ll provide contact info for a bike shop where you can ship your bike if you prefer not to fly with it. We will meet at 7:00 pm for a brief orientation and then head off to dinner (included).
DAY 1: We leave Baker City along the Medical Springs Highway. The landscape will dramatically change from sage brush and tumbleweeds to forested hills as we climb onto the western flank of the Wallowa Mountains. We’ll take a break in the historic hamlet of Pondosa. At this stop you will be at the geographical center of the United States of America, at least that’s what was reported back in the 1950’s. The actual center is near Belle Fourche, South Dakota. From Pondosa we ride through Medical Springs on our way to Catherine Creek. When the medicinal powers of hot springs were being touted the folks in the Medical Springs built a spa surrounding the local hot spring. Although the spa is no longer open its remnants are still visible. We will be camping in a forested campground along the shores of this cascading stream. Today’s mileage will be 36 miles.
DAY 2: Today we pass through the quiet western town of Union on our way to the Grande Ronde Valley. We ride along vast fields of grain through this fertile valley. We leave the Grande Ronde Valley as we climb onto a northern flank of the Wallowa Mountains. You’ll be rewarded with expansive views in all directions. From here we descend to our campsite nestled along the shore of the Wallowa River. Bring your swim suit and try one of the great swimming holes in the river. Today’s mileage will be 60 miles.
DAY 3: Today we follow the Wallowa River to its headwaters. Panoramic views of the snow capped Wallowa Mountains dominate the southern skyline. After passing through Joseph, Oregon we climb over an ancient glacial moraine to the headwaters of the Wallowa River at Wallowa Lake. The view from here is spectacular! The South shore of this glacially formed lake will be our home for the next two days. Wallowa Lake is nestled in a deep valley of the Wallowa Mountains. Enjoy a swim in the lake while we put out appetizers. Today’s mileage was 46 miles.
DAY 4: Today is a rest day. If you're feeling adventurous, take a hike to an alpine lake in the Wallowa Mountains or explore nearby Joseph. Looking for a less energetic option? Take a gondola to the top of Mount Howard (8,256 ft) then hike down, or grab your book and head to the beach for a relaxing day of reading. The campground includes hot showers and laundry facilities.
DAY 5: We leave Wallowa Lake for some of the wildest country in Oregon. We cross two mountain passes today on the eastern flank of the Wallowa Mountains as we ride to our campsite along the rushing waters of the Imnaha River. We are now a short distance from the rim of Hells Canyon. Today’s mileage is 44 miles.
DAY 6: After a hearty breakfast we ride to the rim of Hells Canyon. From this overlook you gain an appreciation of the incredible magnitude of this Canyon which forms the border between Oregon and Idaho. Hells Canyon plunges more than a mile from the rim on the Oregon side and over 8,000 ft. from the lofty Seven Devils Mountains on the Idaho side. After a little more climbing we begin a long, long decent. After this long downhill we have a little climbing to get to our campsite in Richland. We are now on the south side of the Wallowa Mountains. Today’s mileage is 46 miles.
DAY 7: On the final day of this spectacular tour we follow the Powder River through narrow canyons and wide open pastures as we ride back to Baker City. Today’s mileage is 42 miles.
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Details:
Duration: 7 days
Total Distance: 274 miles
2008 Tour Dates: Jun 29 – Jul 5; Jul 20 – Jul 26; Aug 17 – Aug 23; Sep 1 – Sep 7
Lodging Type: Tent Camping with the first night in the Geiser Grand Hotel
Guides / Participants: 2 Guides / 8 Participants (maximum)
What's Included: All meals, guiding, campground fees, Geiser Grand Hotel, route maps, and use of Burley Nomad Trailer. Lightweight tents and sleeping bags are available for rent.
Price: US $1,195; Single room occupancy adder is US $65.
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“What was your favorite lunch? First Day sandwiches were fantastic!”
Vivek C. – Pleasant Hill, CA
“What was your best experience? Being with Ben & Celia, seeing Oregon agriculture, laughing, and outstanding food.”
Sonda D – Onancock, VA
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