Page 629 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - USA

OREGON  627

m Wallowa
Mountains
Elkhorn Drive National Scenic Byway:
(for 106 miles/171 km), starting at
Baker City.
The Wallowa Mountains form
a 10,000-ft- (3,050-m-) high,
40-mile- (64-km-) long wall of
granite in northeastern Oregon.
Driving through the region
Formations at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument’s Sheep Rock unit takes in some of the finest
scenery in the state.
of the most recent Ice Age. The Pendleton Underground The best way to explore the
The monument’s 22 sq miles Tours begin in a subterranean Wallowa Mountains is to take
(57 sq km) comprise three units labyrinth of opium dens, the Elkhorn Drive National
– Sheep Rock, Painted Hills, and gaming rooms, and Prohibition- Scenic Byway, a two-lane paved
Clarno. At all three, trails provide era drinking establishments road, which begins from Baker
opportunities for the close-up and include stops at a City. Nestled between the
observation of the fossil beds. bordello and the cramped Wallowa Mountains and the
Painted Hills presents the most 19th-century living quarters Elkhorn Range, the town has
dramatic landscapes – volcanic of Chinese laborers. some lovely downtown blocks
rock formations in vivid hues The Tamástslikt Cultural and fine Victorian houses.
of red, pink, bronze, tan, and Institute commemorates local Farther north, the National
black. Clarno contains some of history by displaying Historic Oregon Trail
the oldest formations, dating re-creations of Interpretive Center
back 54 million years and historic structures, displays replicas of
including some of the finest exhibits of war pioneer scenes.
fossil plant remains on earth. At bonnets, and Surrounded by
Sheep Rock, the visitor center other artifacts. dense wilderness,
displays many important finds the sleepy town of
from the beds. E Round-Up Hall Joseph lies to the
of Fame Wallowa Lake east of the Wallowa
1114 SW Court Ave. Mountains. Named
n Pendleton Tel (541) 278-0815. Open May–Sep: after Chief Joseph, leader of
10am–4pm Mon–Sat; Oct–Apr:
* 17,000. n 501 S Main St, (541) 10am–4pm Sat. Closed public hols. the Nez Percé peoples, Joseph
276-7411, (800) 547-8911. ∑ pendletonroundup.com is a popular destination for
∑ pendletonchamber.com recreation enthusiasts and
P Pendleton Woolen Mills artisans. One of Joseph’s main
Pendleton’s outsized reputation 1307 SE Court Pl. Tel (541) 276-6911. attractions is the Wallowa
for raucous cowboys and lawless Salesroom: Open 8am–5pm Mon–Sat, County Museum, which is
cattle rustlers is matched by the 11am–3pm Sun. Closed Jan 1, devoted to Chief Joseph’s famous
fact that it is eastern Oregon’s Thanksgiving, Dec 25. 8 9am, retreat, and to the history of both
largest town. But visitors may 11am, 1:30pm, 3pm Mon–Fri. = Native Americans and settlers
be disappointed to learn that ∑ pendleton-usa.com of the area.
these colorful days belong to The crystal-clear waters of
the past. However, cowboy lore the Wallowa Lake sparkle at
comes alive during the the foot of the Wallowa Moun-
Pendleton Round-Up each tains. The Wallowa Lake Lodge,
September, when rodeo stunt a log building dating from
performers and some 50,000 the 1920s, still provides
spectators crowd into town. accommodations and meals.
Previous rodeos are honored The popular Wallowa Lake
at the entertaining Round-Up Tramway whisks riders up to
Hall of Fame. the summit of Mount Howard,
The town’s biggest business, to enjoy spectacular views of
the Pendleton Woolen Mills, the sparkling lake below and
is known for its warm clothing majestic peaks rising up.
and blankets, particularly its
“legendary” blankets, whose E Wallowa County Museum
designs are a tribute to Native 110 S Main St, Joseph.
American tribes. The mill wove Tel (541) 432-6095. Open Memorial
its first Native American trade A rodeo rider at the popular Day–late Sep: 10am–4pm daily.
blanket in 1895. Pendleton Round-Up ∑ co.wallowa.or.us

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