When reading this week’s issue of the Wallowa County Chieftain, I felt Kathleen’s entire Biz Buzz column might be of interest to byway travelers. So, we thank the Chieftain for allowing us to post the column in Byway News. If all of this doesn’t get you excited about visiting Wallowa County, then, well…you haven’t been to...Continue Reading
ELGIN, OREGON__The Eagle Cap Excursion Train normally kicks off the new season with the popular Mother’s Day Brunch. In 2018, May 5th just happens to fall on a Saturday, so they are beginning the season early and offering the opportunity for passengers to celebrate the Mexican Holiday on the train. Cinco De Mayo Restaurant, of...Continue Reading
RE: From Maxville to Vanport: A Community-Guided Music and Video Project coming to Baker City in April of 2018 Supported by a grant from the Oregon Community Foundation’s Creative Heights program, the Portland Jazz Composers Ensemble is producing a new concert of original songs and video inspired by the stories of the multi-cultural populations of...Continue Reading
Jacob and Esther of Local Adventurer have a unique way of approaching travel. As bloggers on travel and lifestyle, they found they could best get to know a city and destination by actually moving there for one year. In 2017, their focus was on Portland and Oregon. We were fortunate to have Eastern Oregon as...Continue Reading
The busy summer season has passed, but there is no shortage of fun and worthwhile activities happening in Wallowa County and throughout the byway over the next few days. From pumpkin patches to Halloween costume parties at favorite watering holes to a lively musical version of The Addams Family, playing at the Elgin Opera House,...Continue Reading
Removal of stoplogs from Hells Canyon Dam will reduce traffic over the dam to one lane and cause periodic delays over the next two weeks. OXBOW, Oregon, Sept. 21, 2017 — Traffic over Hells Canyon Dam will be restricted Monday and Tuesday next week and during the following week while crews use heavy equipment to...Continue Reading
BAKER CITY, OR__In support of its goal to serve the American family, the Bureau of Land Management’s National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center will host a re-enactment of an Oregon Trail pioneer wagon encampment over Labor Day weekend on Saturday, September 2 and Sunday, September 3, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Located outdoors in...Continue Reading
Two of the byway’s most popular outdoor recreation providers have announced their schedules for the upcoming weekend and solar eclipse event. Take a ride to the top of the Wallowas and enjoy spectacular views in every direction, or challenge the rapids of the Snake River, down in the depths of Hells Canyon. Wallowa Lake Tramway:...Continue Reading
News Release from Oregon Parks and Recreation Dept. Posted on FlashAlert: August 16th, 2017 2:30 PM Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) is prohibiting all campfires and open flames in Oregon State Parks and other properties owned and managed by the department beginning Aug. 16 until further notice. These restrictions extend to all Oregon beaches....Continue Reading
OXBOW, Oregon, Aug. 4, 2017 — The road over Hells Canyon Dam will be closed to all traffic from 7 a.m.–4:30 p.m. MDT on Monday, Aug. 7, through Thursday, Aug. 10. A crane being used to move stop-logs from one of the dam’s outlet gates will require the road to be closed. Flaggers at the...Continue Reading
Baker City, Ore. – Trail Tenders is sponsoring a special free evening concert by western singer and entertainer Mary Kaye on Friday July 28. The concert starts at 6:30 in the outdoor amphitheater at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center. Mary Kaye is an award winning western singer and songwriter. With a mix of...Continue Reading
Arrive early, stay put, leave late; don’t let your vehicle start a wildfire. The August 21 Solar Eclipse is certain to be memorable. With this worldwide event heading to Oregon during the peak of fire season, ODOT and the Oregon Department of Forestry want to make sure YOUR memories don’t include starting a wildfire. In...Continue Reading
Byway travelers hungry for fresh produce won’t have any trouble finding it as they travel the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway, July through September. Weekly Farmers’ Markets can be found in La Grande, Wallowa, and Baker City, as well as some of the smaller communities. And, many farms offer fresh fruit and produce through self-serve farm...Continue Reading
As is typical in byway country during the heart of summer, there are lots of ways to spend the weekend, soaking up the sun or cooling off in a watery wonderland. In Baker City, it’s time for Minor’s Jubilee – a celebration of the region’s gold mining history and a great excuse for lining up...Continue Reading
BAKER CITY, Oregon__The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is hosting several special interpretive programs throughout July for visitors at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, providing lots of opportunities for visitors and families to enjoy the outdoors and learn about the old west during their summer vacations. With these presentations, the BLM invites visitors...Continue Reading
The Wallowa Whitman National Forest announces Forest Service Road 39, also known as the Wallowa Mountain Loop Road, is now open for the season and maintained. Routine maintenance will continue to be done on it throughout the travel season. This is the section of the byway that completes the loop from Wallowa County to the north with Halfway in...Continue Reading
BAKER CITY, Oregon__On Wednesday, June 14, the Bureau of Land Management is holding a Wild Horse educational event at the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Bureau of Land Management invites families, youth and visitors to learn how public lands connect them to America’s natural and cultural heritage...Continue Reading
The Hells Canyon Scenic Byway is a thriving this Memorial Day Weekend. Check out the following activities, then go to the Wallowa County, Union County and Baker County websites for even more happenings. Have a safe, fun and meaningful Memorial holiday weekend. Saturday, May 27th Eagle Cap Excursion Train / Two River Bonus, 10:00 am...Continue Reading
ELGIN, OREGON__The 2017 season of the Eagle Cap Excursion Train launches Sunday, May 14, with the annual Mother’s Day Brunch, then settles in for an active season that includes sixteen trips. Ed Spaulding, volunteer engineer and President of the Friends of the Joseph Branch, the non-profit organization that manages the excursion train, expects a busy...Continue Reading
BAKER CITY, OREGON__The Geiser Grand Hotel in historic Baker City, is excited to announce, the hotel has secured two space scientists as guests for the Solar Eclipse, August 19-21. Jayne Aubele and Larry S. Crumpler will provide context and understanding for the amazing eclipse! Jayne is the Adult Programs/Educator/Geologist and Larry is the Curator for the...Continue Reading
Baker City, Oregon__The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Trail Tenders invite the public to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, Thursday, May 25, from 9:00 a.m. to noon. The event is open to the public and free of charge! Opening remarks will come from former Oregon Governor Barbara Roberts,...Continue Reading
SUMMERVILLE, ORE__Lyndall Shick fell in love with horses, and with the Wallowa Mountains, when she was six years old. Each summer, her family took a camping trip to Wallowa Lake, where they rented horses and rode into the high lakes. She was enchanted with the big, powerful, beautiful animals that let her sit on their...Continue Reading
JOSEPH, OREGON__What could be more spectacular than colorful boats, loaded with enthusiastic teams of rowers, racing across the waters of Wallowa Lake, with the peaks of the magnificent Wallowa Mountains towering above? It happened last August and is going to happen again August 26-27, 2017! In the meantime, residents of Wallowa County and the surrounding...Continue Reading
JOSEPH, OR__After years of dreaming and months of development, research and paperwork, organizers are excited and proud to launch Prairie Mountain Folk School, a non-profit center for traditional skills in Joseph, Oregon. The center’s mission is to inspire and educate by presenting a wide range of craft courses to both locals and visitors from our campus in Wallowa...Continue Reading
Baker City, Ore.__The National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is offering special activities for families during Spring Break, March 27 to 30! Ninety minute workshops start at 10 a.m. each day. The daily themes include: Monday, March 27: Pioneer for a Day – Dress up in pioneer clothing and work with other kids in an...Continue Reading
If you love outdoor music festivals and you’re looking for the best in Oregon, you’ll find it right here in Baker County. The Oregon Festival and Events Association recently named PineFest in Halfway Oregon their Best Music Festival in Oregon. Always the Friday and Saturday after Labor Day weekend, this two day festival packs in...Continue Reading
JOSEPH, OREGON__The Smithsonian Institution opened its newest museum, the National Museum of African American History and Culture Sept. 24, 2016. The celebration continues and reaches far beyond Washington, D.C., to several locations across Eastern Oregon as museums and art centers present A Place for All People: Introducing the National Museum of African American History and...Continue Reading
Idaho Power announced today,visitors considering a trip to Hells Canyon can now check the status of the road between Oxbow and Hells Canyon Dam by calling 541-785-7251. A recorded message will provide road closure updates. We encourage folks to use it before heading that way. The road was closed on Monday, February 6, due to...Continue Reading
The last few weeks have brought the kind of winter weather we have not seen for a few years. Heavy snowfall, frigid temperatures and wind have caused occasional road closures on Interstate 84 and many of the state highways and county roads in the area. We are thrilled to have the snow piling up in...Continue Reading
North Powder, OR__After much anticipation and patience, Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort is excited to announce Opening Day is set for Saturday, December 10, 2016. The wait is over! With more snow in the forecast this week, Anthony Lakes is ready to open for the 2016/2017 Winter Season. Groomed runs will include Broadway, Variety, Vista, and...Continue Reading
