Trip Report: Up the Crooked River, Jun 21st

[Jerry]

Up the Crooked River
June 21, 2008

Participants:
Rich & Jan from Aloha
Jerry & Evelyn from Yakima

Met in Prineville, left at 9:15 AM, drove out of town on paved Paulina Highway. Passed turnoff to popular Prineville Reservoir and continued into Crooked River Valley. Crooked River was, indeed, crooked - slow flowing, reflecting sky, bushes, trees; zigged and zagged; split into multiple streams. Neat rock formations, territorial views.

Stopped at Post, general store, neat people, geographical center of Oregon, plaque re: same about 300 feet from store. Twisty road, still paved. Several intriguing roads heading off both sides, would be neat to explore someday. Stopped at Paulina, general store, church, big community (small town), several motorcycle riders, got some drinks, more neat people, helpful. Continued over paved road through Suplee (pronounced soup-plee), nothing there, once a community, all gone now, just an intersection, then to Izee, small community of homes, no businesses.

Drove more twisty roads, now in Malheur National Forest, still paved, to a place called Logdell, only an intersection. Headed north on FS21, dense forest, one-lane paved road, some gravel, stopped several times to let our dogs out. Big Dummy, Mo (our male boxer), had some sort of anxiety problems - felt sorry for him, but what a pain. Reached crest of Aldrich Mountains and could see into John Day River Valley and Hwy 26 to north. Stopped for lunch on side road. Too much traffic otherwise. Reached Hwy 26 and drove into John Day.

Checked out the Kam Wa Chung Museum, closed except for guided tours, didn't want to wait so gassed up and headed south on Hwy 395. Crossed Star Ridge Summit and turned west on Izee Road, then south on FR31. Many intersections with interesting looking dirt roads, thank goodness for direction signs and GPS. Single lane paved road and some gravel, terrible potholes in pavement, bone jarring. There were soooo many interesting side roads. The road ended near the Idlewild Summit on Hwy 395 and from there a short drive into Burns.

Checked into our motels, met for dinner and celebrated Evelyn's birthday. Manager of restaurant even made a balloon animal for her! Good food and delicious chocolate birthday cake. Stuffed! Made plans for next day and hit the sack early.

Left Burns at 7:30 AM via the Hines Logging Road, once private, now public two-lane paved. Drove short distance, Big Dummy Mo had another attack, stopped to let him out. Drove to an overlook of Pine Springs Basin, site of a huge forest fire, big burn, nice view. Followed FR41, nice drive, single-lane paved, some gravel, mostly paved. Stopped for dogs again. Passed Delintment Lake, pretty, several vehicles, people on public fishing pier, let dogs out up the road away from people. Mo was really bad and Ev and I decided this would be the last trip taking the dogs, discussed cutting the trip short because of him.

Soon reached the Paulina Highway intersection at Suplee and made another stop for Mo. Decided to scratch the last part of FS roads and take the @#%$ dog home! Drove into Prineville, had lunch together and headed our separate ways.

Thanks to Rich & Jan for putting up with our animals and changed itinerary, hopefully that will be the last time. Overall had a good time with good friends.


Jerry

[Steve]

Thanks for sharing Jerry. It sounds like a great place to visit in the future.

Steve

[RidgeRunner]

Nice report, Jerry. I've been over most of those roads and you described them well. Wish I could have been with you guys...well, minus the dog problems.

Mick