Grande Ronde and the Blue Mountains

For the Oregon Trail Pioneers, crossing the Grande Ronde and the Blue Mountains was near the end of their journey. The Grande Ronde (great round valley) was easy and gentle compared to the last two thousand miles of sage and desert sand. On a wet year, like this spring the Grand Ronde is lush green. The pioneers never saw it like this because they were on the trail all summer. By the time they got here, it was typically September and all the spring growth turned brown. To them, it was just easier than fighting with sagebrush.

Assuming that you don’t count the previous two thousand miles on foot, the Blue Mountains was the most difficult part of the journey. Compared to the steep, densely wooded terrain of the Blue Mountains, the rest of the Oregon Trail is flat. The Oregon Trail tried to avoid mountain crossings. For us, even though it was still (almost) winter, it was a delight.

This spring we left Boise and crossed the northeast corner of Oregon following the Oregon Trail. Overall, we have spent lots of time exploring Oregon during our almost five-year journey. In fact, looking back, I was surprised at how much time we have spent in Oregon. Here is a link to some other stories. Oregon Stories

The Astor Overland Trail

Before being known as the Oregon Trail, this route was used and explored by the Pacific Fur Company. The trail went from Saint Louis all the way to the Pacific Ocean. Only a few years earlier Lewis and Clark explored the northern route to the Pacific Ocean, through Montana. Lewis and Clark went all the way to the mouth of the Columbia River (1804-1807).

In 1810 John Jacob Astor (wealthy New York owner of the American Fur Trading company) decided to try to expand to the west. One objective was to create a wagon road to the west. Later, much of that wagon road was renamed the Oregon Trail.

After crossing the Grande Ronde and the Blue Mountains the Oregon Trail would then follow the Columbia River westbound. In terms of difficulty, the Blue Mountains were the last and biggest obstacle on the entire Oregon Trail. Above all, you didn’t want to cross them in the winter, especially if you are on foot, as was the Astor party, or as a pioneer on the Oregon Trail.

Interstate 84

For us, Interstate 84 made for an easy drive, although the clouds threatened rain the entire way. When we stopped outside of Baker City, at Elkhorn Lavender Farms, the rain started.

The Baker Valley is twenty miles south of Grande Ronde and the Blue Mountains. Baker Valley and Grand Ronde are surrounded by mountains. To the southwest is the Elkhorn mountains to the northeast is the Wallow mountain range. To the north is the Blue Mountains.

Even if you went around the Wallowa Mountains to the east, you still have to cross the Blue Mountains. There are ways that don’t include these mountains across Oregon from east to west. The problem with these routes is a lack of dependable water. We used these different routes in 2018 and 2020 and covered them in these stories. More Cattle than People and Halfway between Boise and Bend Oregon

Elkhorn Peak Lavender

This lavender farm is just outside of Baker City. The “farm” tucked is in against the Elkhorn Mountains. At the farm, they grow, harvest, and then process the lavender to make lavender oil. The Elkhorn Peak Lavender Farm is a host member of Harvest Hosts and we had a great campsite between the Lavender fields and a pasture.

The pasture is the home to a family of “pack” goats. Pack goats are used similar to horses when packing camping gear up into the mountains. They carry lighter loads than horses and most importantly will eat nearly anything meaning other than finding a place to camp with water, they are happy (food-wise) nearly everywhere.

Harvest Host

Staying at a Harvest Host location is so much better than staying at an RV park. Especially compared to our previous RV park in Boise. I have outlined the program before. Typically the host will be on a farm or some location like that and part of the deal is that as a guest on the property you agree to make a purchase. This time, since it was a lavender farm we got some lavender spices.

Emigrant Springs

As we descended the Blue Mountains northbound we stopped at Emigrant Springs. The Oregon Trail Pioneers camped there and so did we. The pioneers camped here because of the spring water. We camped here because it was along the road further north. Emigrant Springs is about ten miles to the east of Pendelton. Pendelton is a very interesting town. Here is a link to a great story about Pendelton. Pendleton, Shirts, Tunnels, and Boarding Houses

Overall we didn’t really like camping at Emigrant Springs. The good part is that it was inexpensive due to my Oregon State Park Special Access pass. I described this in my post about the pass here. Special Access Pass. The bad thing about Emigrant Springs is that it is located only a few feet from Interstate 84.

Destination Washingon

We chose our route across the corner of Oregon and ended it in south-central Washington. After that, we turned back east to get back to Idaho. We could have taken a more northern, more direct, much harder road than Interstate 84. Instead of following the interstate, we could have winded our way north along the Snake River. Overall our route was much easier because travel in the mountains saves miles, but doesn’t save time because the roads are much more difficult.

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