First off, here's my trusty steed, saddled up and ready to go:
I've done this trip on a mountain bike before, and I think it's easier. Though it is possible on a touring bike with large tires (40c), it's easier on a mountain bike with larger tires (2 inches). Just a more comfortable ride. On the other hand, this is the bike that I had available, and the drop bars came in handy for the occasional headwind.
I got a headwind and no rain, the entire ride upstream.
I once climbed up to the rim of the canyon, and came back down by these power lines. They're abandoned now, and I wondered when they were put in, and what it was like to be on the crew putting them in.
I found a nice spot to camp. While my dinner was readying itself (I love home made boil in a bag meals!), I took photos of the sun setting on clouds around the canyon. While it's a beautiful canyon with big views, the fact that the best sun of the day only hits the top of the canyon rim (often obscured by irregularities in the canyon walls), while the rest of the canyon walls are in near darkness, makes it hard to photograph to its greatest potential. The answer is to be along one of the high ridges at that time of day. Simply requires doing.
There were several nice wildflower displays. Here's one of small pinkish flowers:
And the ever popular lupine:
On the way back to my car, I saw rain clouds and heard thunder. I hightailed it (well, not really all that fast, but I tried) to Colorado camp, where I sheltered under the outdoor awning of a concrete pit toilet. No point getting wet if you don't have to!
Dramatic clouds at the mouth of the canyon. Stacker Butte in the distance:
After arriving at my car, I decided to take a scenic drive around the canyon. Up Fulton Canyon Road, up gravel and dirt farm roads, down state route 216 to Sherars Bridge, and up US 197 back to The Dalles. There exists, in variations on this route, a terrific touring potential. The only problems are few sources of water and few campsites. It is possible to do the route, though. Another option would be to simply ride around on the plateau above the Deschutes. Either the east or west side of the uplands would be nice, though the east side is more open, and there seems to be more mileage of gravel roads. A trip for strong riders, that's for sure. Here's a taste. It's almost Iowa like.
Hope you enjoyed!
One could also ride up the canyon, portage, ride up the BLM road, then climb up 216 (grueling and no shoulder- I'm really not sure this would be a great idea), ride across the plain, and descend via Fulton Canyon Road. The trip, in the opposite direction would be much more safe- even though the Fulton Canyon road is steep and shoulderless, and may have more traffic, it's a good bit shorter, and dumps you onto gravel much sooner. One could possibly stay in the campground or hotel of one of the small towns up on the plains.
ReplyDeleteHere's a loop on the east side, using the canyon:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.mapmyride.com/route/us/or/wasco/925127429941251498
Beautiful shots, as always; especially nice to see MSH in snow! Any chance of getting a copy of that concert hall poster? I remember your mentioning it last month. It looks like a very good picture of you. Who took the rehearsal shot of the brass section?
ReplyDeleteDad