Wednesday, August 8, 2012

BAKER CITY TO JOHN DAY via OREGON HIGHWAY 7 and U.S. HIGHWAY 26




 Historic downtown Baker City, with the Geyser Grand Hotel in the center









 Philips Reservoir at Social Security Point


 There is not much left at McEwen, but it still gets a sign!

 Dredge tailings and pond

 Elkhorn Mountains near Sumpter

 Sumpter main street

 Gold Dredge at State Park in Sumpter



 Inside the dredge

 Inside the dredge



 Looking west from Huckleberry Summit

 Heading toward Whitney on Oregon 7

 Highway 7 near Whitney.  You can see Whitney in this picture.  A few people still live there, but it is considered a ghost town.

 West of Whitney on Oregon 7.

 Sign near Tipton Mountain summit

 Dixie Butte as seen from Oregon 7 near Bates

 Dixie Butte near Bates

 Oregon Highway 7 ends at US Highway 26 at Austin

 Austin House cafe and country store

 From viewpoint above Prairie City

 Strawberry Mountains from viewpoint above Prairie City

 Covered wagon information display at viewpoint above Prairie City

 At bottom of hill, looking toward Strawberry Mountain

 Prairie City

 Prairie City main street





Downtown John Day


MAGONE LAKE

Magone Lake is a mountain gem located north of John Day and Prairie City.  I got there from John Day by driving west on US 26 to Mount Vernon, turning right on US 395, and heading north 10 miles before turning right onto East Beech Creek Road.  

 Some nice country along East Beech Creek road.  The road is good gravel but is only one lane wide.  Drive with care, look for turn-outs that have been provided.

 Nice pine forest en route to Magone Lake.

 Entrance to Magone Lake recreation area.

 Information about the lake.

 Magone Lake.

 Magone Lake.




 There are ample campsites and places to picnic at the lake.

 There were lots of people fishing and boating at the lake today.

The route toward Prairie City is paved all the way.  The first three miles is paved and is one-lane road with turnouts.  There are a lot of beautiful Ponderosa pines along the way.

 Junction.  When you get to this intersection, turn right to go to Prairie City.





Strawberry Mountain from Keeney Forks road, about one mile from US 26.