Page 119 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Pacific Northwest

OREGON  117

b Joseph
Tips for Drivers Road map 1 C3. * 1,100. n 201
E 2nd St, (541) 426-5546.
Tour length: 83 miles (134 km).
Starting point: Baker City. Joseph is named for Chief
When to go: Summer and Joseph, leader of the Nez Perce
autumn. Snow often forces road people (see p31). In 1877, he
closures until July. led his tribe on a 1,800-mile
Stopping-off points: Baker City’s (2,880-km) flight to resist
Geiser Grand Hotel (see p287) resettlement from their lands
makes a fine dining stop. There in the Wallowas; they were
are also several picnic sites along
the route. apprehended near the Canadian
border and relocated to a Motorboat moored on the blue waters
reservation in Washington State. of Wallowa Lake
The brick storefronts, snow-
capped Wallowa Mountains, n Wallowa Lake
and outlying grasslands lend Road map 1 C3.
Joseph a frontier-town air still.
These days, though, recreation The crystal-clear waters of this
enthusiasts outnumber ranchers, long glacial lake sparkle at
La Grande and artisans, particularly the foot of the Wallowa
1 National Historic Oregon sculptors, have established Mountains, which form a
Trail Interpretive Center galleries. Housed in the historic 10,000-ft- (3,050-m-) high,
Haines Here, replicas of pioneer former location of a 40-mile- (64-km-) long wall
scenes, accompanied by newspaper office, of granite. Though the lake
the sounds of jangling hospital, and became a popular tourist
oxen, re-create life on bank built in retreat in the early
the Oregon Trail. 1888, the 20th century, the
Wallowa forested shore line
County is remarkably
Wallowa Mountains
Museum, unspoiled. Much
devoted to of it falls with in
Chief Joseph’s Bronze horse sculpture in Joseph the boundaries of
famous retreat, is national forest lands
here. Chief Joseph Days, held in and Wallowa Lake State Park.
July, feature a rodeo and carnival. One of the few commercial
Hells Canyon Other festivals include the structures on the lake is
Baker City Annual Arts Festival and the Wallowa Lake Lodge, a
Wallowa Mountain Quilt Show, beautifully restored log building
both in June. dating from the 1920s. It still
provides accommodation and
E Wallowa County Museum meals. The popular Wallowa
2 Baker City 110 S Main St. Tel (541) 432-6095. Lake Tramway whisks riders
Some rather grand Open Memorial Day–3rd weekend up 3,700 ft (1,100 m) to the
downtown blocks Sep: 10am–5pm daily. & summit of Mount Howard,
and fine Victorian ∑ co.wallowa.or.us/museum where spectacular views of the
residences are lake below and the Wallowa
reminders of the fame Mountains can be enjoyed.
and prosperity that Deep wilderness is only a
gold mining once short hike or pack trip away
brought to this now from the lake in the Eagle Cap
quiet ranching town. Wilderness, which climbs and
dips over mountainous terrain
to the west of the lake.
Y Wallowa Lake State Park
3 Sumpter Valley Railway 6 miles (10 km) S of Joseph off Hwy
A narrow-gauge steam train 82. Tel (541) 432-4185. Open dawn–
once again chugs along a dusk daily. ∑ oregonstateparks.org
historic route originally built J Wallowa Lake Tramway
to haul lumber and gold. 59919 Wallowa Lake Hwy, Joseph.
Hawks and other wildlife Tel (541) 432-5331.
usually provide an escort. Restored historic corner building in Open mid-May–Sep. &
Joseph, Oregon ∑ wallowalaketramway.com
For hotels and restaurants see pp286–8 and pp296–8

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