Traveling by way of Highway 95 and connecting roads
will allow you to see all the small
farming/agricultural and timber communities that
make up the heartland of Idaho. You will also see a
few historical ranches, Native American landmarks,
and come across parts of the Lewis and Clark
expedition. As you get closer to Highway 71, which
takes you to the Hells Canyon National Recreation
Area you will enter into the town of Council and
Cambridge if coming from the North. If time allows,
we suggest you stop and visit the museums in Council
and Cambridge. You will learn about what it takes to
live in rural Idaho. Once traveling on Highway 71,
you will travel over the Brownlee Summit (great
photo opportunity) where you will see the Hells
Canyon Rim Country which includes parts of the
Wallowa Mountains, Eagle Caps, and the west face of
Cuddy Mountain. As you get farther down Highway 71,
you will eventually start traveling along the
shorelines of the Brownlee Reservoir, Oxbow
Reservoir and Hells Canyon Reservoir. Once you reach
Oxbow you will start traveling on the Hells Canyon
Scenic Byway. Idaho is a beautiful state. Give
yourself extra travel time so you can stop and view
all the amazing scenery you come upon.
We
recommend you take the Hells Canyon Scenic Byway,
one of America’s premier scenic routes. The Hells
Canyon Scenic Byway includes the Grande Ronde Valley
to Wallowa Valley, Wallowa Mountain Loop and the
Pine Valley to Baker Valley. For more details be
sure and look at the brochure included in your
packet of information. Never travel on the same road
twice while traveling through Oregon. We would hate
for you to miss all the amazing historical landmarks
and fantastic scenery.
If you travel the Wallowa Mountain Loop, you will
experience small town hospitality in Wallowa, Enterprise, and
Joseph. Each town has cute shops to visit. Take a ride on the
Wallowa Lake Tramway. The view is spectacular. Overall the food
and lodging is great in that area. While traveling on USFS Road
39 be sure and stop at the Hells Canyon Overlook.
If traveling Highway 86 from Historic Baker City,
you will want to visit the refurbished turn of the century
buildings in town. They have a variety of coffee shops,
sandwich shops, and many great places to stay for an evening.
Definitely allow time to visit the Oregon Trail Interpretative
Center located approximately 8 miles from Historic Baker City.
Halfway, Oregon (the first .com town) is just off Highway 86 on
your way to or from Hells Canyon. There are some antique shops,
a nice quilting store, and restaurants located there.
If time allows, be sure and visit Sumpter and
Granite. Sumpter and Granite are mining communities located 30
minutes west of Baker City. In Sumpter you will find the
Sumpter Dredge, which is now a mining museum. You can also take
a ride on the Narrow Gage Steam Locomotives.
