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Driving Oregon’s Elkhorn Scenic Byway part 1 of 3
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View from atop Flagstaff Hill, six miles east of downtown Baker City, Oregon
Nothing says summer vacation like a good old-fashioned road trip. And if a journey filled with ghost towns, gold mining history, and gorgeous scenery sounds like fun, the Elkhorn Scenic Byway (Route 7) in eastern Oregon can’t be beat. The 106-mile paved loop route winds through the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and Elkhorn Mountains, passes beautiful lakes and rivers, and leads directly to an abundance of gold mining ghost towns, abandoned homesteads, and historic sites. Photographers and history buffs alike will be delighted with the diversity along the route. Ready to hit the road? Gas up the buggy, grab your camera and gold pan, and head over to the Elkhorn Scenic Byway!
Baker City
Most drivers choose to begin and end the Elkhorn Scenic Byway loop in Baker City. Whet your appetite for the area’s golden history with a walking tour of the downtown area, officially recognized as a National Historic District. Many turn-of-the century Victorian buildings have been carefully restored, including City Hall and the famous Geiser Grand Hotel. The city’s gold rush heyday was in the 1860s, so don’t miss the interesting collection of nuggets at the US Bank on Main Street. The whopping 80.4-ounce “Armstrong Nugget” unearthed in 1913 by George Armstrong is on display during regular banking hours. You can also visit the Chinese Cemetery on the edge of town and learn just how important this group was in the building of railroads and gold mines in Baker County.
Flagstaff Hill
Westward Ho! Between 1841 and 1850, nearly 100,000 pioneers outfitted their covered wagons and set out over the Oregon Trail—the mightiest westward migration in American history. The summit of Flagstaff Hill, six miles east of downtown Baker City, overlooks a well-preserved segment of the Oregon Trail where modern-day pioneers can trek in the original wagon wheel ruts. Talk about walking in someone else’s footsteps! The dust and sagebrush are real enough, but listen closely and you just might hear braying oxen and creaking wagons (or is that just the wind?!). The outdoor wagon encampment and mining site, as well as the extremely realistic dioramas inside the Interpretive Center, bring trail scenes to life. The Interpretive Center also houses a large theater for live performances depicting days gone by. You’ll leave the Center with a better understanding and appreciation of the hardships and triumphs experienced by the Oregon Trail emigrants.
Golden Boomtowns
When prospectors first discovered gold near the Powder River in 1861, the gold rush of eastern Oregon was on! Boomtowns like Sumpter, Bourne, and Granite sprang up almost instantly. In fact, about 10,000 mining claims were filed in Baker County during the gold rush. Many private claims still exist, but recreational gold panners can still try their luck in certain rivers and streams along the Byway. Check with the Oregon Bureau of Land Management to determine which streams and rivers are open to the public.
Read part 2 and part 3… this summer vacation road trip is just beginning to roll!
• The 106-mile Elkhorn Scenic Byway starts and ends in Baker City, Oregon.
• Drive the route clockwise, taking SR 7 south out of Baker City and follow along the beautiful Powder River.
• After about 10 miles, SR 7 swings and goes west.
• At Granite, take Forest Road 73 north.
• After about 10 miles, the Elkhorn Drive Connects with the Blue Mt. Scenic byway at the North Fork of the John Day Campground. FR 73 will run east for about 30 miles.
• Take SR 30 south to get back to Baker City.
Driving Directions - route 2:
• Start on SR 53, also named the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway. At the junction with SR 73, turn and go southeast several miles to the town of Granite.
• Drive through Granite. Continue east and through the town of Sumpter until the byway leaves the National Forest and turns north.
• Drive through Baker City on US 30, passing through Haines until you reach North Powder.
• Drive west along SR 53 until you return to your starting point at the junction with SR 73.
For questions on camping, boating, or other recreation, call the Baker Ranger District at 541-523-4476.
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