Eastern Oregon - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 683

Eastern Oregon
Why Go?
Eastern Oregon is sure to amaze. Among its extensive farmlands and desert plateaus are
stunning attractions: the gorgeous snowy peaks of the Wallowa Mountains; Hells Canyon,
which dips deeper than the Grand Canyon; the John Day Fossil Beds, with their eerily col-
orful hills and rock formations; and the incredible glacier-carved valleys of the Steens
Mountain range.
This slice of Oregon was the last arduous passage the pioneers traversed on their jour-
ney west; in some places you can see where their wagon ruts carved out the Oregon Trail.
Gold was discovered in the region in the 1860s - making and breaking dozens of towns
and cities - and there's also rich Native American history in towns like Joseph.
With a rodeo in every town and the Old West still palpable in spots, visiting eastern
Oregon is like a trip back in time - but forget the covered wagons and bring the digital
camera instead.
When to Go
Jul-Oct Drive the stunning Steens Mountain Loop or hike in high Wallowas.