Discover Wallowa County 2024

Wallowa County

Population: 7,391 (www.census.gov)

Elevation: 2,936 ft. Coordinates: 45°34’ 13’ N 117°31’ 43’ W (wikipedia.org)

Important phone numbers

Community Connection: 541-426-3840

Road conditions: 800-977-6368

State Police: 800-442-2068

Sheriff: 541-426-3131

U.S. Forest Service: 541-426-4978

Wallowa Memorial Hospital: 541-426-3111

Wallowa County Chieftain: 541-426-4567

Chamber of Commerce: 541-426-4622

Humane Society: 541-398-8586

Welcome

Need a little more awe in your next getaway? Wallowa County has you covered.

Hike some of the tallest peaks in Oregon and absorb breathtaking views. Raft through the deepest gorge in the United States – or take in the view from the top of Hells Canyon. Explore the crystal-blue waters of Wallowa Lake – or check out the lake during the raucous July 4 “Shake the Lake” celebration. Attend one of the county’s numerous art exhibits or festivals. Discover a one-of-a-kind restaurant or storefront. It’s all here for an experience filled with awe.

Contributing

Wallowa

WELCOME

www.wallowa.com

D iscover 82 things to do in in Wallowa County

The number 82 has a special meaning throughout Wallowa County: Oregon Highway 82 is the main thoroughfare that connects the county to the outside world. And that’s why this list contains 82 suggested things to do in Wallowa County.

In fact, Highway 82 – about 71 miles from start to finish – doesn’t even begin in Wallowa County: It starts in La Grande. Only about half of the route is in Wallowa County, but you can sense something special happening when you get to Minam and enter the county.

Of course, there’s a lot more to Wallowa County than just Highway 82. That’s why this list will frequently take you away from the highway – to give you a chance to explore unexpected parts of the county.

So consider the list as a starting point - kindling, if you will, to fire up your imagination and curiosity. Because 82 things is just scratching the surface of what you can do in Wallowa County.

Ready? Let’s start, because Minam is just ahead:

Entering Wallowa County at Minam

1. Float the Wallowa River

The Minam Store has your needs covered for floating the Wallowa River or casting a line for fish. The store offers guided rafting, fly fishing and upland bird hunting on the Wallowa and Grande Ronde river, the lower Salmon and the Snake River through Hells Canyon. At Minam, the Minam store operates a riverside fly shop and offers camping and rafting gear, ice cream, an espresso bar and a food truck. minamstore.com, 541-437-1111.

2. Pedal a railrider in Minam

Historic railroad tracks connect the main towns in Wallowa County and run to Minam, and since they aren’t currently used by typical trains, you can safely play on the rails thanks to Joseph Branch Railriders. A railrider is a small pedal-car that runs along the rails. There are two starting points in the county — one in Minam and one in Joseph (learn about Joseph later in this list). There are three trip options departing out of Minam ranging from three to four hours in length. Two of the trips follow along the Wallowa River to a quaint picnic spot on the river’s edge and one takes you all the way out to the Grande Ronde/Wallowa river confluence in Rondowa, which used to be an old logging town. There is an opportunity to see all sorts of wildlife including deer, elk, many kinds of birds and birds of prey, foxes, snakes, bears, and much more. Also look for signs of old settlements on the trip to Rondowa. A guide will accompany you on your trip and trips run from May to early October. Minam trips require advanced reservations at jbrailriders.com or learn more by calling 541-786-6149 for automated information.

3. Hike the Bear Creek Trail

It’s a bit off the beaten path — almost 20 miles off Highway 82 — but the climb to Standley Guard Station is scenic and relatively easy, just 4.8 miles with less than a quarter-mile of elevation change. To get to the trailhead, turn south off Highway 82 a mile east of Minam onto Big Canyon Road, or USFS Road 8270. Follow the road for 10 miles, then turn left on USFS Road 50 and drive 7 more miles to the trailhead. The Guard Station itself is an old cabin that was the site of range studies in the early 1900s. The cabin is in good condition, but it’s not for public use.

Wallowa/Lostine

4. Watch Wallowa’s 4th of July Parade

The county is full of Independence Day celebrations, and a great place to start the party is in Wallowa at the Fourth of July Parade. It’s an old-fashioned celebration that includes all your traditional parade favorites, including dozens of floats, marchers, horses, veterans, fire engines and more. The parade is a big deal in little Wallowa, as the whole town turns out for the event.

5. Visit the Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland Visitor Center

A good display of Nez Perce history can be found at the Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland Visitors Center. The Wallowa Band was the group led by Chief Joseph that retreated toward freedom in Canada. The Wallowa Band of Nez Perce inhabited the entire Wallowa Valley, within and beyond county lines. The Nez Perce people (comprised of more than a dozen bands) inhabited 14 million acres across modern-day Oregon, Washington and Idaho. Wallowa Band tribal members were dispersed to the Colville Reservation in Nespelem, Washington, the Nez Perce Reservation in Lapwai, Idaho and the Umatilla Reservation near Pendleton, although some tribal members live off-reservation as well. The visitors center includes displays about the Wallowa Band of Nez Perce, their lives in the Wallowas and the Nez Perce War in 1877. The center is located at 209 E. Second St. in Wallowa. The center is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. from the beginning of May to the end of September. Call 541-886-3101 or go to the website wallowanezperce.org.

6. Hike the Homeland trail to the top of Tick Hill

On the Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland grounds is a 4-mile trail that includes a summit to Tick Hill; on the top of the hill, you can take in a view of the entire valley. Interpretive markers are along the way. The Homeland is at 70956 Whiskey Creek Road in Wallowa.

7. Explore the Tamkaliks Pedestrian Bridge

Another element of the Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland in Wallowa is the Tamkaliks footbridge at the end of South Pine Street. This bridge crosses the Wallowa River and leads to the Homeland Project’s dance arbor and the rest of the Nez Perce Homeland site. Signs along the way explain Nez Perce history, customs, and the importance of culturally important species like salmon and lamprey.

8. Visit Tamkaliks

Take in more Native American culture and history at the annual Tamkaliks gathering, always held the third weekend in July. (July 19-21 in 2024.) This free event is three days of song and dance, culminating in a walasit service and a friendship feast. It’s an opportunity to learn about and meet members of the Joseph Band of Nez Perce. A fundraiser for Tamkaliks is scheduled for April 23, 2024 on the Homeland grounds and will feature a showing of a short documentary about Tamkaliks, fry bread and buffalo tacos. For more information about Tamkaliks, go to the website wallowanezperce.org/tamkaliks.

9. Try a huckleberry milkshake

Little Bear Drive-In is big on taste, especially with its burgers and shakes. Huckleberries are a summertime favorite and make exceptional milkshakes. Little Bear, which has been family owned and operated for decades, also builds tasty burgers made with homegrown beef at the nearby Baremore Ranch, and is known for the King Burger, a three-patty creation that will assuredly fill you up. It’s at 102 S. Madison St. in Wallowa. The phone number is 541-886-3161.

10. Hike to Maxwell Lake

The Maxwell Lake hike provides a climb into the mountain air right in the middle of the Wallowas. The trailhead is close to 18 miles south of Lostine on Upper Lostine Road. Be ready for a two-part adventure on this trek. The first 3 miles of this 4-mile hike are a cakewalk compared to the last mile, which may at times feel more like a climb than a hike as you reach the lake’s elevation of 7,749 feet. Be sure to be careful on the trip down! But the lake itself offers a great scenic view and good fishing if you bring your rod, reel and license.

11. Drop-camp at the Lakes Basin

Want to camp in the Wallowas, but don’t want to put in the effort of hauling your camping gear in and out? Make some arrangements to have it packed in for you. Both Del Sol Wilderness Adventures and Wallowa Mountain Outfitters are local packers who will haul your gear into camp and can give you a horse ride to and from your destination with a little planning. This service is provided at the Two Pan Trailhead, which is at the very end of the Upper Lostine Road. The main trail takes you just over seven miles into the Lakes Basin. Contact Del Sol at 541-3982088 or delsolwildernessadventures.com or Wallowa Mountain Outfitters at 503-750-2913 or wallowamountainoutfitters.com

12. Visit the Blue Banana

Take your picture in the blue banana outside The Blue Banana coffee shop, and when you order your beverage of choice, savor every drop while sitting inside the back end of the Volkswagen Beetle that “crashed” into the side of the building. You’ll find the Blue Banana at 143 Highway 82 in Lostine. The phone number is 541-569-2400.

Enterprise

13. Stop by the Wallowa County Chamber

Start your Wallowa County journey at the Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce, 101 W. Main St. in Enterprise. The chamber is your one-stop-shop for all the details you need about visiting the county. Step into the visitor center and access a wealth of information – whether you’re looking for a local restaurant recommendation, family-friendly activities, cultural attractions, hiking trail information, and so much more, the knowledgeable hamber staff is ready to help. Hours are Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The website is wallowacountychamber.com.

14. Winter ice skating

If you’re visiting Wallowa County in the winter, check out the Wallowa Valley Community Ice Rink at Enterprise City Park on Depot Street. The outdoor rink is free and open for adult hockey, and just about everyone who likes to have ice-skating fun. Weather permitting, the rink is open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day, except for adult hockey on Monday and Wednesday nights from 7 to 9 and Saturday mornings from 9 to 11.

15. Explore Sunrise Iron

Erl McLaughlin has spent almost four decades accumulating farming antiques, and they are all on display at Sunrise Iron, 65708 Sunrise Road just south of Enterprise. His display room has a range of tractors, plows, cultivators and more, and the collection includes steam-powered machinery, with some of the equipment dating back almost two centuries to the 1830s. He recently added a 9-feet-by-70-feet addition to the display room, which now measures 40-by-300. An artist, McLaughlin also has several pieces designed from old wheels and other farming implements. If you’re in the county on Saturday, Aug. 3, 2024, you can check out the museum because it’s open to the public on that day. If you can’t make it on Aug. 3, don’t despair: Call 541263-0755 or 541-426-4407 to set up an appointment.

16. Cycle through the county

For the best information on where to cycle in the county, visit the Chamber of Commerce at 101 W. Main St. in Enterprise to pick up a map of bike routes in and beyond Wallowa County. Want to hit the trails, but didn’t bring (or don’t have) a bike? Visit Outlaw Motor Sports, 504 NW First St., or call 541-426-3491. (The website is outlawmotorsportsinc.net.) The shop is not only a prime location for a new set of spokes, but also a good place to get a repair job done. For additional information, check out the Wallowa Mountains Bicycle Club at its Facebook page or growing website (wallowamountainsbicycleclub.com).

17. Tour a bronze foundry

While there is plenty of bronze to be found in Joseph (we’ll get to that in the Joseph section of “82 Things”), Enterprise is no slouch when it comes to the metal. Parks Bronze and TW Bronze, both on Golf Course Road in Enterprise, are highly respected bronze foundries. Parks Bronze Foundry, 331 Golf Course Road, is a fullservice bronze casting and molding foundry. Tours are available. Call 541-426-4595. TW Bronze Foundry, 202 Golf Course Road, is another full-service foundry with personalized tours of the gallery and foundry. Call 541-398-0380.

18. Fish at Marr Pond

This waterhole on the southwest edge of Enterprise is a great location to cast a line for stocked trout. For those who don’t want to fish but still want to take a walk without wandering into the Wallowa Mountains, the area also has plenty of trails. Marr Pond, once the site of a log pond and mill, now is an easy-to-access ecological refuge that is also a great place to introduce people to fishing. To get there, drive south on Depot Street in Enterprise. Turn west onto West Alamo Street and stay on the road until it turns into Marr Pond Lane. At the end of the lane, hop out of your car and take the short walk straight ahead to the pond.

19. Make your own glass sculptures and cups (at Moonshine)

Glassblowing is a lost art in many places, but not in Wallowa County. Moonshine Glass Art in Enterprise not only has a variety of gorgeous glass art and more traditional pieces but offers classes and other opportunities to let you make your own artisan glassware. Call 541-398-1108, or stop by 624 S. River St. The website is www. moonshineglassart.com.

20. Go antiquing

Enterprise has an antique shop with everything a person could imagine – Favorite Finds on Main Antiques, located at 300 W. Main St. Sondra Lozier has an impressive collection of traditional quality antiques, country collectibles, primitives, hand pieced quilts and vintage linen, and a large selection of books on the history of Wallowa County and the region. Follow on Facebook or call 541426-3229.

Enterprise also offers the Soroptimist Thrift Shop at 105 NE First St. in Enterprise.

If you’re in Lostine, check out Second Hand Antiques / Antique Store at 126 Highway 82 in Lostine.

21. Visit the Bookloft

Books. Coffee. Snacks. Chocolate. Everything a book lover could want is at the Bookloft at 107 N. Main St. in Enterprise. It’s the ideal bookstore, with books about the history of the county, natural history, foods, and fiction and nonfiction pieces that will satisfy any reader. The Bookloft also features a selection of used books. The Bookloft also features the Skylight Gallery, the oldest existing gallery in the county. The gallery features selections from local photographers, potters, glass blowers, fiber artists, jewelers, and others. 541-426-3351, or bookloft.org.

22. Golf

A nine-hole course just northwest of Enterprise, Alpine Meadows Golf Course has a pristine look and is a great escape for anyone wanting to get in a round. Take in the view of the Wallowas while you attempt to dodge sand traps and stay out of the water. Open from mid-April to mid-October. 66098 Golf Course Road. 541-4263246, golfalpinemeadows.com.

23. Visit a Carnegie public library Enterprise is home to one of the relics of the early 1900s, the Carnegie Library. The Enterprise Public Library has been restored in detail and is listed on the Register of National Historic Places. 101 NE First St., 541-426-3906.

24. Visit 6 Ranch’s LIza Jane’s Farmstand

It doesn’t get more local and fresh than 6 Ranch’s Liza Jane’s Farmstand. The stand contains garden-fresh produce, grassfed meats, baked goods, raw honey, eggs and much more. It all originates from the 6 Ranch, which has been in the county for 140 years and has been in the family that entire time. The family has done restoration work on the Wallowa River where it runs through the farm and focuses on producing healthy food and preserving Western culture and traditions. The farmstand is located at 87161 Highway 82, about two miles west of Enterprise. For more information, go to the website 6ranch.com/local#farmstands.

25. Check out (or get) an animal

Adopt (or just pet) a kitty and shop to support the Wallowa County Humane Society. The society’s ReTail Boutique, 119 E. Main St. in Enterprise, across from the Wallowa County Courthouse, includes an enclosure where you can meet cats and kittens available for adoptions, as well as high-end preowned clothing and many other items. Stop by and give the kitties some attention, and support the Humane Society, too.

26. Make prints from digital photos

So you captured a dazzling photo and don’t want to wait till you get home to make it a print? Swing by Central Copy at 110 S. River St. in Enterprise. The staff can print photos from your cellphone or digital camera in a snap or can turn those photos into large-form prints. You can also get documents printed there. 541-426-2679.

27. Visit a quilt shop

Quilters won’t leave Wallowa County disappointed. Prairie Creek Quilts carries a large selection of fabric and patterns. The “notion wall” carries sewing and quilting supplies and accessories you may have left at home or need to add to your collection. You can sign up for a class. The address is 107 NW Second St. in Enterprise. The phone number is 541-426-3900. The website is prairiecreekquilts.com.

28. Try an elk burger. Buffalo, perhaps? Beef?

You can only hunt elk in the fall but can bite into a scrumptious elk burger anytime in Wallowa County. Not into elk? How about buffalo? No? Want just a good burger? You’ll find what you’re looking for at Heavenly’s Restaurant in downtown Enterprise, at 500 W. North St. Buffalo and grass-fed burgers are also on the menu at Terminal Gravity Pub, 803 SE School St. in Enterprise.

29. “Walk with a Doc”

Most every Wednesday at 12:30 p.m., Dr. Emily Sheahan gathers a small group outside of Wallowa Memorial Hospital, 601 Medical Parkway in Enterprise and hosts a brief discussion on a health topic. Then everyone heads out on the half-mile walking path that surrounds the hospital campus. The walk is free and open to everyone and is a great way to get some exercise and meet new people.

30. Try a guided fishing tour

This is a great opportunity for new and advanced anglers alike. Veteran anglers can seek out a guide to help them find the best watering holes for hauling in fish. The newbies can learn the basics from a local pro. The Minam Store (541-437-1111, minamstore.com) offers guided fishing trips. If you’re interested in a guided trip along a 2-mile stretch of the Wallowa River that’s been restored for improved fish habitat, birds and wildlife, check out the tours offered by the 6 Ranch at 6ranch.com/outings.

31. See the Wallowas by air

The Wallowa Tramway (which shows up later in this list) offers perhaps the most well-known, up-close look at the Wallowas, but pilot Joe Spence can provide an unparalleled view from above with his flights over the Wallowa Mountains or over Hells Canyon. Want to camp in a highly remote, beautiful location? Spence can fly you in and back out. Contact Spence Air Service at 541-426-3288.

Joseph

32. Tour the bronze statues

Scattered throughout downtown Joseph are 18 iconic bronze statues representing the culture of Wallowa County. From Chief Joseph and other members of the Nez Perce Tribe to bucking bronc riders to animals (cougars and eagles among them) to women of the West, there is plenty to take in on a stroll through town.

33. Tour Valley Bronze

After you’ve seen all the statues, Valley Bronze of Oregon invites you to tour its production facility and see how an artist’s masterpiece is cast into metal. Tours are available once a day, Monday through Friday at 11 a.m. at 307 Alder St. in Joseph. Cost of the tour is $15 per person, with children 10 and under free. Reserve a spot ahead by calling 541-432-7551.

34. Shop the farmers market

Downtown Joseph comes alive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday for the farmers market. Farm-fresh food, crafts, meats, recipes and more are available for purchase. In addition, the market features handcrafted items, artisan ware, and music. The market is open from Memorial Day weekend to October.

35. Visit Josephy Center exhibits

The Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, 403 N. Main St., is the art center of Wallowa County. Named for World War II combat journalist Alvin Josephy, the center showcases regional artists and offers art classes for youth, adults and families. The center has a variety of displays and thematic art shows throughout the year. The museum features the work of local artists and artisans, and a large selection of books. Want to learn more about the Nez Perce Tribe? Wander upstairs to find a display about Chief Joseph’s band — Wal’ma nimiipuu — as well as the Josephy Library and a lending library about the tribe, its culture and its history. The website is josephy.org.

36. Take a Josephy Center class

If you feel inspired after seeing the art, photos and more on display in the Josephy Center, sign up for a class! The center offers classes on painting, drawing and photography. You can also learn printmaking, attempt to make a wood sculpture, or try out nightsky photography. For more details, visit josephy.org.

37. Explore the Wallowa County Museum

On the other end of Main Street in Joseph is the Wallowa County Museum (110 S. Main St.), which is rife with history on nature, the West, cowboy lore, and exhibits featuring the history of the Nez Perce and pioneers in the county. There is even animal history on site. The museum is open from the last weekend in May (Memorial Day weekend) through the end of September. The museum also offers private tours for groups and schoolchildren and also has a digital archive for family history research. The museum is closed during the winter, but visits can be arranged by emailing the curator at wallowacountymuseum@gmail.com. Admission is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors (65 and older) and $2 for students. Children 6 and under are free. 541-432-6095.

38. Visit Wallowology

It’s hard to say, but fun to explore. First off, it’s “wal-ow-OL-ogy.” It’s a natural history center for all ages featuring exhibits about animals, land, critters and more. Exhibits include information on salmon, lamprey, sturgeon, forests, geology and pollinators. There is also an activity room for children of all ages featuring microscopes, fossils, rocks, plants, bugs and more fun activities and things to see. Check out the center’s store, which has maps, books, magnifying glasses, nature-related toys and other items. The website is www.wallowology.org. The address is 508 N. Main St. in Joseph.

39. Go for a Discovery Walk

Among the features Wallowology provides are free Discovery Walks led by local nature experts by appointment. Other Discovery Walks will be scheduled throughout the year; keep an eye on wallowology.org for information about those. The website also will offer information about Outings, half-day adventures with scientists and science and culture presentations at Wallowology and the Wallowa Lake Lodge. The website wallowology.org has all the details, including dates and times.

40. Tour art galleries in Joseph

The Josephy Center is not the only center for art in Joseph. In fact, the town includes several art galleries, most of which feature work from well-known local and regional artists. The galleries include Valley Bronze (307 W. Alder St.), the Phinney Gallery of Fine Art (17 S. Main St.), Stewart Jones Design jewelry studio (hours by appointment; text 541-786-7159), Missy’s Uptown Art (13 S. Main St.), the Element Art Gallery (2 S. Main St.), Aspen Grove Gallery (602 N. Main St.) and others. Valley Bronze features bronze (and other) sculptures, paintings and photographs. Phinney’s display includes ceramic art, sculptures, and paintings, and much of the work was created by owner Malcolm Phinney. Aspen Grove’s walls are lined with oil paintings, watercolor paintings, sculptures and more. The art is primarily by owners Mark Kortnik and Carol M. Kortnik, though work by other artists is on display.

41. Visit Stein Distillery

Looking for a taste of adventure in town? Discover Stein Distillery, 604 Main St. in Joseph. For over a decade, Stein has been crafting spirits from grains grown exclusively on its farm in Wallowa County. Dive into its lineup of cordials—rhubarb, raspberry, blackberry, and elderberry—plus handcrafted cocktails. Stop by the visitors’ room for tastings of its pioneering bourbon whiskey, authentic rye whiskey, and smooth SteinShine moonshine. Tours available with advance notice. Call 541-432-2009 to plan your visit.

42. Pedal the rails in Joseph

There are several rail-bike trips out of the Joseph Branch Railriders’ location in Joseph, including a new “Golden Hour” evening trip offering great opportunities for amazing photos. There’s only a handful of the evening trips available, so if you want to be on one, snatch up a spot quickly. These trips are 75 minutes long.

Daytime trips include one about an hour long and one about two hours long. These trips offer views of the pristine Wallowa Mountains, dense pine forest, local wildlife, and much more. A guide will accompany you on your trip. A bonus of riding out of Joseph is the Railriders have electric assist, and there are also a couple of four-person cars available. Trips run from May to early October. Visit jbrailriders.com to learn more and book tickets, call 541-786-6149 for automated info.

43. Get the fishing scoop

Rainbows, steelhead, bull trout – the Joseph Fly Shoppe has the right fly for you. In business for more than 30 years, Rob has helped hundreds of people get started in the sport. Nobody knows the local streams and lakes better. Visit the shop seven days a week, May through December, at 203 N. Main St. in Joseph. Check out the store’s website, josephflyshoppe.com, or call 541-432-4343.

44. Corral the right gear

The Sports Corral, 401 N. Main St. in Joseph, is a must-stop for folks looking to get an authentic feel for Wallowa County. The store has an array of fishing gear, sporting gear, Western gear and clothing. It’s also the place to go for firearms and ammunition. Call 541-4324363 or visit sportscorral.com.

45. Go to Arrowhead Chocolates

If you are a chocolate fan, Arrowhead Chocolates is a must-stop location. The store has an array of handcrafted chocolates and has twice won the national Good Foods Award for its huckleberry and espresso truffles. Arrowhead carries milk chocolate, dark chocolate, and and interesting and unique flavors, like a habanerolime caramel truffle with lime fresca sea salt. It’s also a great place for a cup of coffee on the way to explore the town. Its location at 4 S. Main St. in Joseph has a laid-back feel. For more information, visit arrowheadchocolates.com.

46.

Get customized leather footwear

Established in 2011, Alkahest Leather is a homespun, one-man show specializing in custom-made leather footwear, hip and shoulder bags and other accessories. Each pair of shoes or boots is entirely customized, beginning with a tape-casting of the foot. You choose the colors, buttons, soles, designs and so forth. For footwear, it simply doesn’t get more personalized and healthful than this. The fit is more like a second skin, like a moccasin – molding to the feet and allowing them to move and behave and operate as they are meant to. For questions, call Dustin Lyons at 509-240-0603 or email alkahestleather@yahoo.com. You can also check out the website www.alkahestleather.com or come by the workshop at the foot of Chief Joseph Mountain (61111 Ski Run Road, Joseph).

47. Uncover hidden treasures – and take them home Strike it big on a unique minecart-inspired panning sluice at Minecart Panning, 501 W. Alder St. in Joseph at the foot of the glorious Wallowa Mountains. Tap into your inner rockhound, paleontologist, or prospector as you pan for raw gemstones, fossils, petrified wood, gold and more. Panning is a fun, memorable, and educational experience that keeps you coming back for more. You’re guaranteed to find amazing treasures, and you get to take home everything you uncover so there’s keepsakes for everyone. Panning isn’t just for the kids; adults find the activity soothing and rewarding. Who doesn’t like finding hidden treasures? Minecart Panning is affordable, fun for all ages, and is wheelchair friendly. Operating from May to October. Visit minecartpanning.com for the schedule and more information.

At Wallowa Lake

48. Keep an eye out for Wally

Wally is the region’s version of the Loch Ness Monster, nestled somewhere in the depths of Wallowa Lake. Tales of sightings of the mythical creature date back more than 130 years — with a story in one of the earliest editions of the Chieftain detailing an encounter. According to legend, the Nez Perce Tribe avoided venturing out on the lake after it caused the death of their chief’s daughter. There have been strange viewings reported off and on in the years since. Is he out there? And can you find him?

49. Paddle Wallowa Lake in a clear kayak

Joseph Oregon Paddle (JO Paddle) offers an opportunity to kayak on Wallowa Lake while seeing everything above, around, and even below you while riding in clear-bottomed hybrid kayaks (partly canoe, partly kayak). Stand-up paddle boards also are available. These can be rented and delivered ready to launch on the north end of Wallowa Lake. These transparent watercrafts, made of polycarbonate, give you the chance to not only take in the scenic Wallowa Mountains directly around the lake, but to peer through the kayak into the depths below. The Glacier Clear guided nighttime tours are available Thursday through Sunday and a guided morning tour is available on scheduled days. Reservations for tours or daily rentals can be made four days a week, Thursday through Sunday. Visit jopaddle.com for more details. Or visit Joseph Oregon Paddles’ storefront at 9A South Main St. In Joseph. You can also call them directly for reservations or questions at 541886-0086.

50. Take a gondola trip to the mountaintop

For more than half a century, the Wallowa Lake Tramway has been offering an easy way to feel like you are on top of the world — or, at least, near the top of the Wallowa Mountains — without the strain of hiking there. The tramway provides a quick trip to the top of Mount Howard in a gondola. Hop in at the south end of Wallowa Lake, and in a matter of minutes you’ll be transported 3,700 feet to the summit of Mount Howard, taking in the breathtaking views of the lake below and the mountains surrounding you. The Summit Grill — at an elevation of roughly 8,150 feet — numerous hiking trails and the crisp, thin air of the mountains await once you reach the top of the peak. Couples have even exchanged their vows at the top of Mount Howard. The season runs from mid-May through September. Visit wallowalaketramway.com for more details or for tickets.

51. Horseback rides

Want a different way — other than by foot or by air — to explore the Wallowa Mountains? How about on horseback? Or want the use of a pack mule to do the heavy lifting while you take in the scenery?

The Wallowa Lake Pack Station offers rides for all ages and skill levels, including rides around the property, mountain trail rides and half-day and all-day rides to Aneroid Lake. The company also offers gear drops and deluxe camping adventures. For more information, including prices and locations, visit https://www.wallowalakepackstation.com. The phone number is 541-432-7433 (RIDE).

52. Visit shops at Wallowa Lake Village

Coffee, gifts, souvenirs, snacks, ice cream and even dinner are available throughout the village, and all the shops are within walking distance of the campground and vacation locations.

53. Rent a kayak, paddle boat, or paddleboard

If you can’t resist getting out on the water, paddleboards, kayaks and paddle boats can be rented at the Wallowa Lake Marina to get you on the crystal-blue accents of Wallowa Lake. For reservations or for more information, call the marina office at 541-432-9115 or visit wallowalakemarina.com. You’ll find the marina on the south shore of the lake, in Wallowa Lake State Park.

54. Photograph the lake and its surroundings

Whether you’re a professional looking for that next award-winning photo, or an amateur looking for that next profile picture, Wallowa Lake — and really, most locations throughout the county — provide views of the region’s breathtaking beauty that should be appealing to any photographer’s eye. The north end of the lake is among the best spots, with the lake and the peaks of the Wallowa Mountains in the background as your canvas.

55. Play disc golf at Wallowa Lake State Park

A nine-hole disc golf course was installed in 2019 at Wallowa Lake State Park at the south end of the lake between the campground and the Wallowa River. It’s a short course — the longest hole is 280 feet and the entire course is just 2,000 feet, according to pdga.com. You can bring your own discs or get some provided by the park.

56. Hike Iwetemlaykin

The “Place by the Lake” or “at the edge of the lake,” as the Nez Perce word translates to, is a state heritage site that, according to the Oregon State Parks website, was part of the Nez Perce Tribe’s homeland and is a sacred place for the Nez Perce and other area tribes. During the summer and fall they harvested sockeye salmon as they made their annual return to the lake. The trails lead to and beyond nearby ponds, and, if you are careful, quiet and fortunate, could provide an opportunity to spot wildlife.

57. Mini-golf

The area around Wallowa Lake includes mini-golf courses, including Eagle Cap Chalets at 59879 Wallowa Lake Highway and Mountain Pines Adventure Golf in the Matterhorn Village, 59950 Wallowa Lake Highway. There’s also a mini-golf course at Wallowa Valley Karts at Wallowa Lake. Each course offers its own fun challenges.

58. Fish

World-record kokanee and mackinaws have been harvested at Wallowa Lake. In fact, the Wallowa County resident who holds the record for the largest mackinaw — a 36.5-pound behemoth — hooked multiple 30-plus pounders recently. Fishing is a way of life in Wallowa County, and while a lot of the attention focuses on the lake, that’s just one of countless water sources in the county where individuals can cast a line. Fishing gear and boats are available for rent at the Wallowa Lake Marina on the south end of the lake, as are fishing licenses for purchase. If you don’t have the needed tackle and gear — or your fishing license — make a stop there before you head out on the water.

59. Go-karts

Rev it up at the go-kart track at Wallowa Valley Karts at Wallowa Lake. Single-rider and double-rider go-karts are available. Also, minigolf, ping-pong, horseshoes, basketball and volleyball. 541-432-9285.

60. Swim in Wallowa Lake

During the heat of the summer, Wallowa Lake has safe places to take a brisk swim and cool off. On the north end, visit the Wallowa Lake Park outside Joseph, and on the south end, go to Wallowa Lake State Park. A word to the wise: The lake is fed by mountain water, and even in the summer it will be colder than your typical swim.

61. Visit Old Chief Joseph’s grave

Old Joseph (Tiwi-teqis) was the father of the famed Chief Joseph of Nez Perce War repute. He died in January 1871 — six years before his son led the Nez Perce people in their fight against the U.S. Army forces — and is buried along the northwest side of the lake at Nez Perce National Historic Park. His bones were exhumed in August 1926 and a month later were reburied at their current location. An interpretive sign tells more about the man who led the Wallowa Nez Perce before you take the short trail to where he is interred.

62. Attend “Shake the Lake”

If you are in Wallowa County on Independence Day, the “Shake the Lake” firework show is a must. The entire county turns out for this annual fireworks extravaganza and party, so get to Wallowa Lake early, find a good spot to park and enjoy the festivities. The fireworks, which start at dark, are set off from a barge located at the north end of the lake. (Increasingly, attendees are bringing their own fireworks and igniting them on the shores of the lake in what amounts to an opening act.) The dazzling show not only lights up the night sky, but also booms off the surrounding Wallowa Mountains.

63. Check out a rodeo

As you can read elsewhere in this issue, rodeo culture runs deep in Wallowa County; in fact, the biggest single event each year in the county is Joseph’s Chief Joseph Days, which brings thousands of folks to town. The 2024 Chief Joseph Days is scheduled for July 23-28. (The website is chiefjosephdays.com.) If you can’t make Chief Joseph Days, consider an earlier rodeo, the 20th annual Mountain High Broncs and Bulls, scheduled in 2024 for June 15. Admission to Mountain High Broncs and Bulls is free. (The website is mountainhighrodeo.com.) Both rodeos take place at the Harley Tucker Memorial Arena, 405 W. Wallowa Ave. in Joseph.

Flora/Troy

64. Joseph Canyon Overlook

The county gives access to Hells Canyon, Imnaha Canyon, and a third less well-known, but also stunning, gorge — Joseph Canyon. This canyon overlooks Joseph Creek, is part of the Nez Perce homeland, and is home to the cave where Chief Joseph was born. The canyon itself is about 4,500 feet deep, and the overlook offers information about the canyon and the Nez Perce. The U.S. Forest Service viewpoint is about 30 miles north of Enterprise on Highway 3.

65. Visit Troy

Troy is well off the beaten path, as the county’s northernmost town is roughly an hour away from Enterprise, less than seven miles from the Washington border. But the town sits right at the confluence of the Grande Ronde and Wenaha rivers, and has a tavern, restaurant, hotel and a vacation rental. The Troy Trailhead to the west of town provides access to several somewhat lengthy routes in the Umatilla National Forest, and Grizzly Flats Campground is just west of the town. To find Troy, head north on Highway 3 out of Enterprise past the Joseph Canyon Overlook. Take a left on Flora Lane, follow it until you pass through Flora, then take another left and continue to follow the road to Redmond Grade Lane. This windy road eventually takes you across the Grande Ronde River. You can either cross the river and then hang a left into Troy, or follow the Redmond Grade to Country Road, then hang a right and make your way to the town.

66. Check out the Flora School

This school has been closed since 1960 after an early 20th-century boom in the tiny town dwindled. The massive school building, which opened in 1915, is on the National Register of Historic Places, has been partially restored, and is the centerpiece of June’s Flora School Days. This event is a fundraiser for school restoration and an opportunity to teach visitors about the pioneer lifestyle. The 2024 edition of Flora Days is planned for June 15 from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event features in-person demonstrations, competitions and town and school tours and more. Previous Flora School Days have featured blacksmithing, wool dyeing, dutch-oven cooking and spinning, weaving and sewing. The Flora School Library is open Thursdays or by appointment. For more details, visit https:// floraschool.org.

More in-county adventures

67. Take in a concert or musical performance

It seems just about every week during the summer features music in the air. The Courthouse Concert series in Enterprise runs from June through August and has performances every Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Attend an all-day music event such as the Juniper Jam, which specializes in original music from performers. Keep an eye out for the monthly Tunesmith Night, which features singersongwriters performing their songs in a round-robin format. Or take in Oregon’s Alpenfest in late September. And keep an eye out for local and regional musicians performing at locations like the Josephy Center, Terminal Gravity, the Range Rider and the Summit Cafe atop Mount Joseph.

68. Hike the Hurricane Creek Trail

Here is an opportunity for an easily accessible hike that also happens to be an exceptional one. Where Hurricane Creek Road out of Enterprise (USFS Road 8205) ends — about 7.5 miles out of town — the trail begins. A short three-mile hike takes you to Slick Rock and a waterfall rolling over the cliff. The jaunt also gives a great view of Hurricane Divide and Sacajawea Peak, which at 9,843 feet is the highest point in the Wallowa Mountains. You can either call it there and return to the trailhead for a good sixmile adventure, or venture further in. The full distance of the trail, 12 miles, eventually takes you to the Lakes Basin trails. U.S. Forest Service data shows the total hike in from the trailhead to the Lakes Basin has an elevation gain of close to 2,600 feet. This single trail offers plenty of other opportunities, including fishing, other trails to hike, wildlife viewing, camping and more. Don’t forget your Forest Service or federal pass for trailhead parking and remember to fill out a wilderness permit at the trailhead.

69. Explore Oregon’s highest lake

Crater Lake in the Cascade Mountain Range is known for its depth, but Legore Lake offers a much different trait — it’s the highest lake in Oregon at 8,950 feet. This hike is a steep challenge — both literally and figuratively — with 4,000 feet of elevation increase in the four miles. To start this hike, turn off Hurricane Creek Trail a quarter-mile from the trailhead onto Falls Creek Trail (1807A). The rugged trail takes you past the old, defunct Legore Mine, and could lead to an encounter with mountain goats or bighorn sheep. You’ll definitely feel you’ve accomplished something if you reach the summit, but should the hike prove to be too much, there are plenty of breathtaking views to stop and take in along the way as consolation prizes.

70. Camp at Hurricane Creek Campground

A small campground along Hurricane Creek that, indeed, offers true camping: No crowds, no camp hosts, no reservations. But there are just eight campsites on the grounds. If you can find an open site, it’s a worthwhile, quiet escape from the rest of the world. To get there, drive west from Joseph on Airport Road to Hurricane Creek Road. Drive an additional four miles to the U.S. Forest Service boundary, where the campground is located.

71. Explore Zumwalt Prairie Preserve

The Nature Conservancy owns about 33,000 acres of the Zumwalt Prairie. This part of the preserve is not only used for rare, rafflewon guided hunts, but is a great area to hike and explore. It’s about 15 miles north of Enterprise on Zumwalt Road and is covered in wildflowers in May and June. There are numerous hiking trails. Wildlife abounds, so keep your eyes peeled for elk, coyotes, hawks and more. You’ll likely see plenty of cattle, too, as they graze on the preserve lands. To get there, travel from Enterprise to Joseph, and about 3 miles down the road turn left onto Crow Creek Road. After five miles, turn right on Zumwalt/Buckhorn Road. Go 14 more miles to the junction of Zumwalt/Buckhorn and Duckett roads.

For help exploring. find a map of the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve in Enterprise at the Nature Conservancy’s office at 906 S. River St. Call the Nature Conservancy office at 541-426-3458, or visit nature.org and search for the Zumwalt Prairie. You’ll have to leave your four-legged friend at home for this trip.

72. Hike Harsin Butte

One trail on the Zumwalt worth considering is the Harsin Butte Trail. It’s a short trail that’s worth the trip. To get there, once at the above-mentioned Zumwalt/Buckhorn and Duckett junction, turn right on Duckett. Travel to the next road junction, then take a right on Road 676. Just a quarter-mile ahead is the trailhead sign. The Nature Conservancy’s website says this hike is just 0.8 miles in and out, has a 700-foot gain in elevation and is “a bit of a scramble.” But the trip ends at the top of an extinct volcano and offers a stunning view of the Wallowa Mountains and even the Seven Devils Mountain Range in Idaho.

73. Visit Buckhorn Overlook

This is a trek further north into the county, but a worthwhile one with a stunning view. Travel about 25 miles past the Zumwalt Prairie Preserve — about 40 miles out of Enterprise — until you reach Forest Service land. At that point, the road becomes USFS Road 46. Continue about 8 miles until you see a sign for the Buckhorn Overlook. Turn right onto USFS Road 780, and drive about another mile to the overlook. Not only do you get a view of the Imnaha River Canyon, the Wallowa Mountains and the Seven Devils Mountains, but you may catch a look all the way to the Sawtooth Mountain Range in Central Idaho.

74. Visit the fire tower at Red Hill

Complete the loop back to Enterprise by heading from Buckhorn back onto USFS 46. The road heads north, then turns south and west. About 20 miles past Buckhorn is an inactive fire tower that is a good place to visit and also has a lookout. Jump back on USFS 46 and stay on the road until it meets Highway 3, then proceed just 12 miles back to Enterprise.

75. Hike the Tenderfoot Trail

A trip down USFS Road 39 provides access to many hiking adventures in the southeast corner of the county. This has everything from easy day trips to lengthier treks for those who want to stay in the forest and camp while they explore. For this first one, head east out of Joseph on Highway 350, then turn onto Forest Road 39. To get to Tenderfoot and drive about 14 miles to USFS 100 (which is a sharp right turn near Big Sheep Creek); the trailhead is near the end of the road. The hike itself is about 5 miles, but it starts at a higher elevation, so reaching the top of the Wallowas isn’t nearly the challenge as it is from elsewhere in the county.

76. Camp along the Imnaha River

For a backwoods adventure deeper in the forest, stay on USFS 39 and, after navigating some curves, twists and turns, you’ll come upon the Imnaha River or one of its many offshoots in the Wallowas (including Gumboot, Blackhorse and Dry creeks). Ollokot and Blackhorse campgrounds are both right along the Imnaha, and both only about 35-40 miles away from Joseph.

77. Hike to Blue Hole and the Imnaha headwaters

If you pass Ollokot Campground, you can take a turn onto USFS 3960 to venture even further into the mountains. (You can also access this road from USFS 140, or Cloverdale Road). This route takes you to either Hidden Campground or, near its end, Indian Crossing Campground, both also along the Imnaha. At the latter campground is Indian Creek trailhead, which leads you to trail 1816 back upstream along the Imnaha. Two miles up the trail is Blue Hole, a blue pool in the river with sheer rock walls around it. The trail can take you all the way to the Imnaha River headwaters at Hawkins Pass, some 20 miles away.

78. Visit Hells Canyon Overlook

We promise, this is the last adventure off of USFS 39 that we’ll mention here (though there are plenty more). Stay on the road past Ollokot Campground for about 3½ miles, then take a left onto Forest Road 490. A couple of miles farther takes you to the Hells Canyon Overlook for yet another view of the gorge.

79. Visit the Imnaha Store & Tavern

If you decide to stay on Highway 350 rather than venture into the forest, you’ll make your way to the small town of Imnaha, about 26 miles from Joseph. This is one of the routes to access the northern end of Hells Canyon, but along the way, the historic Imnaha Store & Tavern is worth a stop. The tavern, which opened nearly 120 years ago in 1904, is one of the oldest continuously operated businesses in the county. The location is famous for its frog legs and chicken gizzards. There is a veterans’ wall, which a vet can sign and get a free beverage for their service, and you can learn about the tradition of pinning dollar bills to the ceiling — and do so yourself. Every couple of years, the money is split between the winner of a drawing and the local school.

80. Visit Hat Point Overlook

Hat Point is the highest portion of Hells Canyon on the Oregon side at an elevation of nearly 7,000 feet. However, the trek there from Imnaha is not a simple one. It’s more than 20 miles of windy, narrow, gravel roads, full of potholes and washouts to be mindful of. A fourwheel-drive vehicle with good clearance is advised. But the trip is worth it. There are several grand views along the way, and at the end of the drive, another top-notch view of the country’s deepest canyon.

81. Travel the Imnaha trail

This is another trip you will definitely want solid wheels to make, as it is about 28 miles on mostly gravel roads. Drive north from Imnaha on the Lower Imnaha Road, and about six miles in take a left on Fence Line Creek Road. Then take a right on Fence Line Road and onto USFS roads 975, 46 and 780. The road takes you through narrow passageways through the Imnaha River Canyon and leads to the trailhead. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is a must. The trail leads to Hells Canyon and the Eureka Bar on the Snake River, just 4.5 miles down the trail.

82. Explore Dug Bar

Just downstream from the Eureka Bar is the Dug Bar. This location has some historical significance, as it is where Chief Joseph’s Band crossed the Snake River as they eluded U.S. Army forces in 1877. Travel from Imnaha as if you were going to Eureka Bar but about six miles in, rather than hanging a left, turn onto Dug Bar Road, or USFS Road 4260. Your destination is about 23 miles away on the Snake River. Like the route to Eureka Bar, this is one you’ll want a four-wheel-drive vehicle for. While there are at least three different hiking trails available, it’s also a popular spot to cast a fishing line or get on the water in a boat.

83. Hike a portion of the Blue Mountains Trail

The entirety of the Blue Mountains Trail runs more than 560 miles throughout Northeastern Oregon. A large portion of the trail is in Wallowa County. The trail’s starting point is at Wallowa Lake State Park, but portions of it run past the Hells Canyon Overlook, along the Wallowa River and, if you take the alternate route, the Imnaha River. It also takes you past Frazier Lake and the Twin Lakes. It eventually leads in the north end to Buckhorn Overlook, Troy and continues west as it heads out of the county. The entire quest would take months and impressive fitness, but portions of it abound for the day hiker. To find a map, visit https://www.hellscanyon.org/ blue-mountains-trail-maps. And, yes, we know that this is No. 83 on a list that should have just 82 things, but believe us – it’s hard to stop adding memorable sites and events in Wallowa County. Feel free to add your own adventure.

Discover

Wallowa County

2024 Calendar of Events

April

Wallowa Valley Youth Arts Festival

April 6-22, 2024

This annual event features a display of artwork, lots of awards ribbons, hands-on activities, and musical performances by area youths. Art from Wallowa County youth from kindergarten through high school will be on display at the Josephy Center for Arts and Culture, 403 N Main St. in Joseph. josephy.org

May

Eagle Cap Excursion Train

May 8-Oct. 26, 2024

Eagle Cap Excursion Train, located in the beautiful northeast corner of Oregon, is a scenic train that operates on the Wallowa Union Railroad. The train offers scenic trips along the Grande Ronde and Wallowa rivers. The 2024 schedule starts May 8 and runs through Oct. 26 A full season is planned, with a variety of themes. For more information, call 541-437-3652 from 9 a.m. until noon. Weekdays.

eaglecaptrainrides.com

Hurricane Creek Half-Marathon

May 25, 2024

Joseph City Park, 8 a.m. to noon. Kick off summer with a halfmarathon, 5 mile, 5K and 1-mile kids run. Registration at www. runnersofthesage.com. The races start at Joseph City Park and run toward the Hurricane Creek Trailhead. This is also an opportunity to donate to the Wallowa Land Trust. www.runnersofthesage.com

June

Courthouse Concert Series

June 6-Aug. 29, 2024

For the 17th consecutive year, the Wallowa County Music Alliance presents this concert series on the lawn of the Wallowa County Courthouse, 101 S. River St., Enterprise. Each Thursday at 5:30 p.m. The community gathers for a free 90-minute performance by local and regional musicians in a variety of genres, including classical, folk, jazz, and rock. 541-426-3390. Email: info@wvmusicalliance.org

Flora School Days

June 15, 2024

Flora School Education Center, 80974 College Lane, Flora. Annual fundraising event for the Flora School Education Center showcases old-time pioneer skills, including a blacksmith contest that starts at 7 a.m. with other activities beginning at 9 a.m., a Dutch oven lunch at noon and a 2 p.m. auction. Contact Vanessa Thompson, 541-828-7010. www.floraschool.org

www.wallowa.com

Mountain High Broncs & Bulls

June 15, 2024

This annual free rodeo, scheduled to start at 4:30 p.m. on June 15, celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2024 and promises big names, a close-up experience and big fun. It’s held at the Harley Tucker Memorial Arena, 405 W. Wallowa Ave. in Joseph. Contact: Lee Daggett, 541-426-5380.

mountainhighrodeo.com

Woodland and Watershed Festival

June 28, 2024

After 18 years of putting on the Watershed Festival and 14 years of putting on the Maxville Gathering, Wallowa Resources and Maxville Heritage Interpretive Center are combining efforts once again to bring the Woodlands and Watershed Festival. Hours are 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Wallowa County Fairgrounds, 668 NW First St. in Enterprise.

wallowaresources.com/index.php/what-we-do/education/ watershed-festival

Dulcimer

Week in the Wallowas

June 31-July 6, 2024

Learn how to play the dulcimer during a weeklong adult music camp that draws students from across the country. Instructors are nationally known and teach all levels of students Contact Heidi Muller at 304-382-9422 or email walllowadulcimer@gmail.com. wallowadulcimer.com

Dulcimer Week in the Wallowas

June 31 - July 6

Some county events had not announced their 2024 dates by the time this edition of “Discover Wallowa” went to press.

Wallowa Old Time

4th of July Parade

July 4

July

Lostine River Run

July 6, 2024

Run along the picturesque Lostine River into the town for either a 10K, 5K or 1 mile run. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Wallowa County.

www.facebook.com/RotaryClubofWallowaCo

Wallowa Old Time 4th of July Parade

July 4, 2024

This annual event brings out the whole town. The highlight is the parade through the city of Wallowa at 11 a.m. followed with a citywide barbecue at Wallowa Fire Hall. Hours are 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call 541-88-2422 for information.

cityofwallowa.weebly.com

Shake The Lake fireworks show

July 4, 2024

The jewel of the Wallowa Mountains, Wallowa Lake, makes a perfect setting to view this classic Independence Day event featuring a spectacular fireworks show. Fireworks begin after dark. It all takes place around the lake.

Wallowa Fiddle Tunes Workshop

July 7-12, 2024

The Wallowa Fiddle Tunes Camp was begun in 2005 with the goal of offering affordable, group instruction for individuals and families in a relaxed, week-long camp format. Participating in a musical community through music and dance has resulted in the addition of instruction in other accompaniment string instruments as well as on-site techniques of ensemble participation. wvmusicalliance.org/wftc-2024

Summer Fishtrap 2024

July 8-14, 2024

Come to Wallowa Lake and get some writing done at the 37th Summer Fishtrap gathering of writers. Workshops, craft talks, panel discussions, readings, and more take place under the pines at Wallowa Lake Lodge and include some of the best writers and teachers in the West. This year’s theme is “Love.”

fishtrap.org

Wallowa County Fly-in

July 12-13, 2024

The Northeast Oregon Aviation Foundation is sponsoring a fundraiser dinner banquet with live music at the Joseph Airport, 83838 Airport Lane at 5:30 p.m. July 12. The annual fly-in and air show are scheduled for July 13. For more information and to order banquet tickets.

wallowacountyflyin.com

32st Annual Tamkaliks Celebration

July 19-21,

2024

Each July, the Nez Perce Wallowa Homeland becomes a place of reunion for descendants of the original inhabitants Wallowa County. Year after year, participants at Tamkaliks enjoy three days of song and dance, culminating in a Walasit religious service and friendship feast. Descendants, locals and visitors attend together. Big ticket raffle items include a buffalo hide and a Pendleton blanket each year. The address is 70956 Whiskey Creek Road in Wallowa. 541-886-3101. Free camping. Recreational vehicles and tents welcome.

www.wallowanezperce.org

Tamkaliks Celebration

July 19-21

The “What’s Happening” column in the Wallowa County Chieftain is a good source of updated calendar information and can be accessed at the newspaper’s website, wallowa.com. The Wallowa Chamber of Commerce also features a frequently updated calendar of events on its website at wallowacountychamber.com or email info@wallowa.county.org

Chief Joseph Days

July 23-28

Chief Joseph Days Ranch Rodeo

July 23-28, 2024

Action-packed PRCA rodeo and six days of Western entertainment are featured at the annual Chief Joseph Days! The little town of Joseph swells during Chief Joseph Days, welcoming more than 10,000 visitors over the six-day celebration. Highlights include the Grand Parade down Main Street, the Nez Perce Friendship Feast, and music and dancing after the rodeo. Most events take place in the Harley Tucker Memorial Arena, 405 W. Wallowa Ave. in Joseph.

chiefjosephdays.com

August

Wallowa County Fair

Aug. 1-10, 2024

It’s an old-fashioned county fair in Enterprise, and a showcase for the county’s 4-H clubs. Highlights include a dog show, a horse show, a livestock and small animal herdsmanship show and the annual Fat Stock Sale. Info: 541-426-4097. extension.oregonstate.edu/wallowa/fair

OK Fest

Aug. 1-3, 2024

Darrell and Christi Brann bought the OK Theatre 10 years ago, and they’re planning a three-day festival to mark the anniversary. Details have yet to be announced, but fans of historic theater buildings might want to save the dates (Aug. 1-3) to see what the Branns have in store. The OK Theatre is at 208 W. Main St. in downtown Enterprise.

theoldok.com

Sunrise Iron Open House

Aug. 3, 2024

Every year wheat farmer Erl McLaughlin opens the huge doors on his showroom one day a year to share his collection of over 100 tractors, plows, cultivators and other antique machinery from the early 1900s. Erl also has artwork made from steel wheels and other antique pieces. Open house hours on Aug. 3 are 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tours can be arranged by reservation on other days. The address is 65708 Sunrise Road in Enterprise. Contact McLaughlin at 541-263-0755.

www.sunriseironllc.com

Main Street Show & Shine

Aug. 16-17, 2024

This annual car cruise is based in Enterprise, at 303 W. North St. The weekend begins Friday with registration, a cruise to Imnaha Store and Tavern, and music in Warde Park. On Saturday the Enterprise Elks will serve breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. in front of Main Street Motors, Vehicles will be displayed from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., with awards announced at 2:30 p.m. and a cruise by area senior residences. It’s hosted by Enterprise Elks Lodge No. 1829 and Main Street Motors. Contacts: Doug Crow, 541-426-2100 and Candy Bunn, 541-263-1369.

mainstreetshowandshine.com

Wallowa Mountain Cruise Car Show

Aug. 23-24, 2024

The county’s second car event of August races to Joseph on Aug. 23-24, with the Ragman Memorial Cruise, and live music at a Friday night dance near the Joseph Community Events Center and again on Main Street on Saturday near the cars.

wallowamountaincruise.com

Juniper Jam Music Festival

Aug. 31, 2024

This music festival puts the emphasis on original songwriting (although performers have been known to sneak in a cover song or two) and usually features performers from a variety of musical genres. Admission is $25 in advance, $30 at the gate; children 12 and under get in for free when accompanied by a ticketed adult. Gates open at 11 a.m. and music continues to around 10 p.m. It takes place at the Wallowa County Fairgrounds, 668 NW First St. in Enterprise.

juniperjam.com

September

Hells Canyon Mule Days

Sept. 6-8, 2024

This annual event draws mules and muleskinners (their drivers) to the Wallowa County Fairgrounds, 668 NW First St. in Enterprise, on the weekend after Labor Day. This year’s show includes three days of events that include classes for every age group and skill level. It’s a family event: Youngsters enjoy competing and showing their mulemanship abilities as much as the older contestants. The event features artisans and exhibitors, cowboy poetry, a nonmotorized parade, pit BBQ dinner, a private treaty mule sale, a concert and a Dutch oven cook-off. Contact: Sondra Lozier, 541-426-3271.

hellscanyonmuledays.com

Aug. 16-17

Wallowa Mountain Cruise Car Show

July 12-13

Cycle Oregon rally

Sept. 8-13, 2024

The 2024 Cycle Oregon Rally is coming to Wallowa County and will center on the towns of Enterprise and Elgin. Designed with daily road and gravel-route options, and base camping in Enterprise and Elgin, participants will have numerous on- and offroad options.

cycleoregon.com

Annual Wallowa Valley Festival of the Arts

Sept. 20-23, 2024

The festival is the largest fine art exhibition in Eastern Oregon. A festival highlight is the opening night artist reception at the Josephy Center for Arts & Culture, 403 N Main St. in Joseph. Contact: Cheryl Coughlan: 541-432-0505.

josephy.org

Oregon’s Alpenfest

Sept. 26-29, 2024

This annual Swiss-Bavarian cultural festival features local bratwurst, Terminal Gravity brews, live music, dance performances, free polka lessons and art craft and gift shopping. The ceremonial tapping of the first keg takes place at Terminal Gravity, 803 School St. in Enterprise. Other events take place at the Joseph Community Events Center, 102 E First St. in Joseph. www.oregonalpenfest.com

November

Jingle Thru Joseph

Late November 2024

The annual Jingle Thru Joseph Holiday Bazaar is happening again this year at the Joseph Community Events Center, 102 E. Second St. In Joseph and typically takes place the weekend after Thanksgiving. The halls will be decked out as Main Street businesses throughout Joseph compete in the annual lighting contest. A Christmas light parade will begin as the town will be humming with shopping, music, lights, open houses, Santa sightings and more.

December

Winterfest Celebration

TBA

Downtown Enterprise becomes a winter wonderland for this all-day winter festival. Shop for gifts, meet and take a photo with Santa, listen to (or sing along with) carolers, stay warm at one of the burning barrels and try a roasted chestnut. The day caps off with a lighted winter parade through downtown Enterprise.

January 2025

Polar Plunge

Jan. 1, 2025

Participants in this annual tradition greet the new year with a quick dip in the chilly waters of Wallowa Lake. Bathers gather at the north end of the lake and dive (or gingerly wade) in at 10 a.m. sharp.

Eagle Cap Extreme

January 2025 dates to be announced

Oregon’s only Iditarod and Yukon Quest qualifier, the Eagle Cap Extreme sled-dog races run through the rugged Wallowa Mountains in Northeastern Oregon. After a day of veterinary checks, the races begin at Ferguson Ridge Ski Area, about 9 miles southeast of Joseph. Fans can line up on the side of the starting chute. Parking is provided nearby, with a shuttle providing transportation to the starting site, about a 5- or 10-minute walk from the parking area. The weekend also includes a banquet at the Cloverleaf Hall in Enterprise.

Winter Fishtrap 2025

Dates to be announced

Fishtrap, the Wallowa County organization that focuses on good writing and clear thinking about the West, hosts a weekend workshop, “Winter Fishtrap,” during a January weekend. It’s a weekend of lively and important conversations, presentations and workshops designed to help us come together-even when we disagree. At press time, dates and 2025’s theme had not been announced.

fishtrap.org

Wallowa County Fly-in

Oregon’s Alpenfest Sept. 26-29

Kirk Makin

Owner/Principal Broker

Properties for Sale in Wallowa County!

Cell: 541-398-0340 kirkmakin@frontier.com

Joseph view home! Stunning mountain views from deck and hot tub pad with gorgeous custom pergola. 1/3 acre lot with privacy fenced yard, landscaping, dead-end street. 2 bed, 2 bath house with 1,260sqft plus oversized 2-car garage. Great find! Listing agent related to owner.

MLS#24544748 $475,000

Beautiful home on 4.81 acre in Enterprise. 3,021sqft home built in 1991 w/4 beds & 3.5 baths. Huge windows, tall ceilings, Chefs kitchen, hickory floors, wood stove. 900sqft garage, barn, chicken coop, green house. New roof and recent paint. Water rights and 5’ fencing. MLS#24210935 $975,000

Great horse property in Joseph!

11.83 acres with amazing mountain views. 3 bed, 2 bath home. Impressive and well thought out horse facility. Large indoor riding arena, stables with indoor and outdoor runs, shop, outdoor arena, irrigated pasture and water rights. Split off 5.94 acres and have a 2nd buildable lot.

MLS#23460683 $745,000

Great price, location, and home!

2 bed, 2 bath 2018 manufactured home that includes 1,539sqft of living space and an oversized laundry room! On a large lot, the house has a nice layout with views of Green Hill and Tick Hill. Don’t miss out on this great value.

MLS#24421728 $299,000

New Construction!! Quality 4 bed, 3 bath with 2,669sqft. High ceilings, dream bedroom suite w/ huge walk-in closet, en-suite bath w/ heated floors, soaking tub, marble walk-in shower. Open kitchen w/ custom cabinets & quartz counters. Concrete patios, RV power, electric car plug-in, MORE!

MLS# 22206374 $669,000

Home with 3.6 KW solar system on 4.49 acres outside Joseph. 1,826sqft w/3 beds & 2 baths. Newer addition with primary suite and spa-like bathroom. 1,100sqft basement. Trex decks with mountain views. Garage, barn and hoop house. Water rights and new fencing. Adjacent to school.

MLS#24658860 $698,000

Dream property with Imnaha River frontage. Great fishing holes and incredible canyon views!! Enjoy this custom built 4 bed, 3 bath 2011 built home. Large kitchen, open dining and living area. Independent exterior access and parking for upper and lower levels. Large 1,344sqft insulated shop with water and power.

MLS#24482365 $899,000

Own the iconic Russell’s Restaurant at bustling, beautiful, historic Wallowa Lake. Price includes all equipment and furnishings on site. Rustic cabin style construction, floor plan layout and zoning make it suitable for conversion to other business or residential uses. Property includes mature vegetation and great views.

MLS#21088191 $595,000

Gorgeous log home on 0.92 acre at Wallowa Lake. 3,781sqft w/3 beds & 3 baths. Expansive great room. Wood stove w/rock hearth. Finished basement. Large decks. Garage and ample parking. Storage sheds. Transferable vacation rental permit. Lake access from community lot close by.

MLS# 24201794 $975,000

Farm house on 40 acres. 1,627sqft w/3 bedrooms & 1 bath. Newly dug 15 gal/min well (not yet connected). Two-car detached garage w/root cellar. 2,000sqft barn. Pasture with pond and mature trees. Lots of wildlife; deer, elk and birds. 5 miles from Enterprise on a county road.

MLS#24002193 $575,000

Imnaha Canyon Country living at its best! Enjoy this 2 bed, 2 bath manufactured home on 17.86 acres with access to hiking trails and hunting units that are rare. Fish the Imnaha River from the public access spot at the bridge and enjoy abundant wildlife. Home has many upgrades.

MLS#23458449 $395,000

Bring your gardening/landscaping ideas and backyard games to this property! Large lot with a cozy house. New roof, flooring, siding, paint and windows. 3 bed, 1 bath home is ready to be yours. Mature fruit trees, fire pit, large garden area, greenhouse, clothesline, and large storage shed.

Diane Daggett Broker

MLS#24518980 $249,000

Kirk Makin

Owner/Principal Broker

Owner/Principal Broker

Diane Daggett Broker

Diane Daggett Broker

Anette Christoffersen Principal Broker

Kirk Makin

Anette

Owner/Principal Broker

Michele Principal

Cell: 541-398-1297 diane.daggett1297@gmail.com

Cell: 541-398-0340 kirkmakin@frontier.com

Cell: 541-398-0340 kirkmakin@frontier.com

Peaceful setting on dead-end street!

1,962sqft one-level home on 10.46 acres w/3 beds & 2.5 baths. Gorgeous kitchen w/breakfast bar, dining, office and laundry. Potential for two more buildable lots. Beautiful landscaping w/stream, fruit trees, garden. New roof, windows, gutters, garage doors and paint.

MLS#24542245 $749,000

Updated 1910 Victorian on 1.32acre lot. 2,156sqft w/4 beds and 2.5 baths. Large primary suite, gorgeous remodeled kitchen, maple floors, newer plumbing and electric. Barn and green house. Two separate tax lots, with potential to build. Beautifully landscaped. Located in charming Lostine.

MLS#24589056 $595,000

Enjoy this nicely cared for 2 bed, 2 bath home on .34 acres. LARGE garage/shop measuring 37’x22’! Good views and a great neighborhood. Plenty of room to play, garden or relax. Back deck is covered and is a great space to hang out with friends, have a meal or a refreshing drink.

MLS#23552644 $335,000

Creatively built, this expansive log home is in a meadow with live water, trees, and views of the Wallowa Mountain range. The 3,670sqft 4 bed, one full and two half bath home is a 10-mile drive to Joseph or a short drive to Salt Creek Summit winter recreation area.

MLS#23274529 $810,000

Cell: 541-398-1148 anette.realtor@gmail.com

Cell: 541-398-1297 diane.daggett1297@gmail.com

Cell: 541-398-1297 diane.daggett1297@gmail.com

Cell: mbaird@eoni.com

Cell: 541-398-0340 kirkmakin@frontier.com

Cell: anette.realtor@gmail.com

Secluded home with extra buildable lot in Enterprise! 1,672sqft home built in 1995 w/3 beds & 2 baths. 9 KW solar system. Wood floors, propane stove, south facing windows, laundry room. Attached two-car garage. South-facing Trex deck and mature landscaping. Storage shed. Low maintenance.

MLS#24319399 $525,000

Wallowa Lake area. Would make a great home or vacation rental. Well-maintained and functional layout, 3 bed, 2 bath home. Private outdoor patio area with great mountain views. Listing includes additional lot that could be buildable with lot line adjustment, or provide a lot of extra space for personal use.  Close to the main activities.

MLS# 24262579 $575,000

120 acre timber, grazing and recreational property. Fenced, merchantable timber, stream and also includes a 160-acre FS grazing permit. Great Elk and Deer hunting. Not buildable. Great spot for hunting camp or recreational get away.

MLS#23215191 $234,000

Craftsman style home built in 2006, many accents. Antique transom windows, Englenook fireplace, wood stove, book shelves and mountain view window seats. Tile, hickory, wainscot, high ceilings. 768sqft heated/insulated garage with separate workshop area. RV hook ups. Quiet Joseph location.

MLS#22206374 $699,000

Anette Christoffersen

Michele Baird

Anette Christoffersen

Michele Baird

Lindsey Chrisman

Principal Broker, GRI, ABR

Diane Daggett Broker

Lindsey Chrisman

Broker kirkmakin@frontier.com

Principal Broker

Cell: 541-398-1377 mbaird@eoni.com

Principal Broker 541-398-1148 anette.realtor@gmail.com

Cell: 541-398-1148 anette.realtor@gmail.com

Principal Broker

Principal Broker, GRI, ABR

Principal Broker, GRI, ABR

Anette Christoffersen Principal Broker

diane.daggett1297@gmail.com

Cell: 541-398-1377 mbaird@eoni.com

Cell: 541-398-1377 mbaird@eoni.com

Cell: 541-398-8065 lindseychrisman1@gmail.com

192.97 acres with 178 acres irrigated. Wallowa River frontage, ponds, timber, wildlife, level farm, grazing ground currently in hay. 1920’s 3 bed 2 bath main home. Additional 1 bed second home, historic barn and other outbuildings. Amazing views!

MLS#23105525 $2,200,000

Opportunity awaits!! Located in Joseph near the end of S Main Street and Iwetemlaykin State Park. R-1 zoned 0.40 acre corner lot could be divided into 3 buildable parcels (50x117’ each). Breathtaking Mountain Views! Spacious 3 bed, 2 bath double wide home and detached garage.

MLS#23595325 $450,000

Desirable 1918 Craftsman in Enterprise. Stunning mountain and valley views. Sunroom, 4 bedrooms. Renovated bath w/ custom subway tile shower. Hardwood floors, all appliances included. Private .23 acre lot, ample off street parking. Unfinished basement, storage and 1 car tuck under garage.

MLS#23646654 $375,000

Remodeled home just outside of Joseph! 3 bed 2.5 bath, chef’s kitchen, sauna, new heating/cooling system. 2.08 acres, amazing yard, Big Bend ditch flowing through, private pond & gazebo. Additional 2 bed 2 bath rental. Shop w/bath, workspace, workout room & finished bonus room.

MLS#23292440 $1,190,000

Kate Crawford Broker

Lindsey Chrisman

Principal Broker

Michele Baird

Principal Broker

Principal Broker, GRI, ABR

Cell: 541-398-1148 anette.realtor@gmail.com

Cell: 541-398-8065 lindseychrisman1@gmail.com

Cell: 541-231-9714 katecrawfordrealtor@gmail.com

Deidra Ripsom Broker

Kate Crawford Broker

Broker

Lindsey Chrisman Principal Broker

Deidra Ripsom

Broker

Joe Dawson Broker

Deidra Ripsom Broker

Kate Crawford Broker

Joe Dawson

Broker

Broker

Deidra Ripsom Broker

Joe Dawson Broker

Cell: 541-398-8065 lindseychrisman1@gmail.com

Cell: 541-398-1377 mbaird@eoni.com

Premiere 2,220 acre cattle & hunting ranch. Tremendous game habitat producing an abundance of elk, deer, upland birds, turkeys and bears. Chesnimnus and Pine Creeks flow through the ranch providing great private fishing. Terrific grazing with native grass rangeland and sub-irrigated meadow. LOP tags.

MLS#23484119 $2,775,000

3 bed, 2 bath home in Joseph. Spacious and open floor plan. Stunning mountain views from large finished patio. Laminate floors, custom cabinetry, high ceilings and Jacuzzi tub in primary bath. Perfectly situated just minutes from Wallowa Lake and downtown Joseph.

MLS#23371553 $389,000

183 acres with Prairie Creek flowing through. 2,472sqft 3 bed, 3 bath home. 54 irrigated acres, hay and pasture with additional sub irrigated pasture. 2,500 head feed lot, concrete bunks, water system, steel fencing, scales, grain storage and large shop.

MLS#23523633 $2,200,000

223+ acre Alder Slope Ranch. Mountain and valley views! Approximately 183 acres under sprinkler. Nicely updated 3 bed, 2 bath ranch house, shop, corrals and horse barn. 40 acres of timber. Alder Slope ditch, Spring Creek and Alder Creek flow through the property. Deer and Elk hunting with LOP tags.

MLS#23554053 $1,997,000

Cell: 541-231-9714 katecrawfordrealtor@gmail.com

Cell: 541-324-1425 homesbydeidra@gmail.com

Cell: 541-231-9714 katecrawfordrealtor@gmail.com

Cell: 541-398-8065 lindseychrisman1@gmail.com

Cell: 541-324-1425 homesbydeidra@gmail.com

Cell: 541-263-1884 joseph.g.dawson@gmail.com

Cell: 541-324-1425 homesbydeidra@gmail.com

Cell: 541-231-9714 katecrawfordrealtor@gmail.com

Cell: 541-263-1884 joseph.g.dawson@gmail.com kate.crawford.realtor@gmail.com

Cell: 541-263-1884 joseph.g.dawson@gmail.com

Cell: 541-324-1425 homesbydeidra@gmail.com

422± acres of top native grass grazing land with four year-round ponds and springs. Big panoramic view of the Wallowa Mountains. Great deer and elk hunting with land owner preference tags. Property is fully fenced.

MLS#22553608 $475,000

Double your pleasure & income w/ 2 cabins on a large dividable lot, recent updates and great vacation rental history. Close to activities and a short walk to the lake, great year-round access. Furnishings are negotiable. Cabins are also available to purchase separately see MLS#23472826 & MLS#23197759 (Separated) MLS#23165465 $679,000

Farmhouse on 48 acres, rwith Wallowa River Running Through! 5,463sqft home, 4 bed and 3.5 baths. Cathedral ceiling and large rock fireplace. Primary bedroom features rock fireplace, patio doors, en-suite bath, walk-in shower, tub and dual sinks. Two large offices. Three-car garage, 2,464sqft multi-use building with finished shop, chicken and green house. Irrigation water rights. MLS#24587055 $1,800,000

Joseph, OR

Lots & Land

Wallowa Lake, OR

Ready to build! Take advantage of the breathtaking mountain views. Lot #29 in the Mountain Meadows Subdivision is 100x80ft. Underground utilities are in place & City of Joseph water & sewer connection fees are paid. Close to downtown.

MLS#24158979 $95,000

Breathtaking mountain views from lot #28! Cul-de-sac location in the Mountain Meadows. Bring your builder & plans for your dream home. Underground utilities. 0.25-acre level lot. Connection fees for city water and sewer are already paid for. CC&R’s in place.

MLS 23013124 $119,000

Buildable 5 acre lot just outside of Joseph. Incredible mountain views with enough space to build a dream home in the area, property also has Wallowa River frontage on west end.

MLS# 24378018 $449,000

Enterprise, OR

Buildable 20 acres with big elevated views of the Wallowa Mountains and the Wallowa Valley. End of the road privacy. Underground power to the property and a community well. Good native grass for livestock grazing.

MLS#23166794 $319,000

Design your dream home to take in the breathtaking views of Wallowa Lake and the East Moraine! Private 1.14 acre lot near the end of Lake Shore Drive. 358ft of road frontage on the west side. Varying grade and slope. Buyer will need to install a well and septic.

MLS#23030424 $130,000

1.5 acres, 489ft of road frontage w/ East Moraine, Wallowa Lake & Mountain Views. Private location near the end of Lake Shore Drive. Tranquil creek flows through the property. Varying slopes w/ several potential home sites. Buyer will need to install a well & septic.

MLS#23182648 $160,000

Lot at the south end of Wallowa Lake! Close distance to activities including the Wallowa Lake Tram. Property zoned Resort Commercial Residential for a variety of allowed uses including vacation rental with permit. Nice treed setting.

MLS#22002920 $149,000

Cell: 541-263-1884 joseph.g.dawson@gmail.com

Going to the birds

For bird-watchers, Wallowa County offers riches

Story by Ann Bloom

Bird-watching, or birding as it is sometimes called, is a popular hobby among people of all ages and from all walks of life. It is especially popular during the summer months when many birds are active and can be seen in their natural habitat.

There may be probably no better place to see a variety of birds — from waterfowl to birds of prey — than in the Wallowa Mountains and surrounding areas.

Bald Eagle

The Wallowa Valley is home to a number of eagles — and many other bird species, large and small.

Kathy Munsel/Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

The area that encompasses the mountains, Wallowa Lake, and the area around the two can be roughly divided into four locations for birding:

• First, there is the lake and any nearby ponds or marshes.

• Second, the mountainous area above and around the lake, including the alpine area above the Wallowa Lake Tramway.

• Outside of Joseph, Enterprise and Wallowa, many birds can be seen along the road and in the surrounding fields.

• Finally, the forested area around the state park.

But even if you can’t access any of those, there are still plenty of birding options in anyone’s backyard.

Must-haves for birding are a good pair of binoculars, a field guide to birds (“National Geographic’s Field Guide to the Birds of North America” is a comprehensive guide), a sturdy pair of shoes and a small notebook to record your sightings.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of the birds seen in each area, but it will serve as a starting point, especially for the beginning birdwatcher.

A trip to the top of Mount Howard on the tram, located at Wallowa Lake, not far from the Wallowa Lake Lodge, is an experience and will also garner some views of popular birds seen in the alpine, high-altitude area, of the Wallowa Mountains.

A first encounter once you leave the tram, may be with the Clark’s nutcracker. This is a gray and black bird, with white tail and wing feathers. It is also called a “camp robber” by some, because of its reputation for swooping down on the unsuspecting camper or picnicker and stealing whatever it can and flying off with it.

Another bird you might hear, as opposed to see due to its small size, is the mountain chickadee. It has a distinctive “chicka-dee-dee-dee” call. It is a small bird, with black and white markings, including a black mask. The Steller’s blue jay is also popular in this area. It is a dark, indigo blue, with a black head and black crest. Finally, the mountain bluebird can sometimes be seen here.

Even just driving up and down the highway and side roads you will see a variety of birds. Bald eagles and red-tailed hawks are often seen sitting on power poles or fence poles. Crows are everywhere and on a walk on a country road you may hear the call of the western meadowlark, Oregon’s state bird. It is an unmistakable, high-pitched “trill” sound. The bird has a bright yellow breast, brown-speckled wings, and a black stripe under its chin.

Walks on roads stretching off the state highway from Enterprise to Joseph, may turn up sightings of the California quail and, if you’re lucky, a ring-necked pheasant, distinguished by its green and red head, and the white ring around its neck. Empty fields and alongside the road are also popular spots for this game bird.

Junco

Juncos are among the West’s most familiar birds, reliable sights on summer hikes and winter days.

Clark’s nutcracker

Western meadowlark

EH Van Blaricom/Contributed Photo

Cristina Glebova/Unsplash

Red-tailed hawk

A walk on the Zumwalt Prairie (follow the signs south and east of Enterprise, along Highway 82 toward Joseph) might show a flock of wild turkeys. Open grassy areas, with rocky spots, are home to the skittish killdeer. The killdeer’s tone is a high-pitched, “killll-deeerrr,” repeated, as it leads any threat away from its nest, pretending to have an injured wing.

Besides Wallowa Lake, there are also ponds and marshy areas in Wallowa County where birds can be viewed. Marr Pond, located a short distance from the downtown Enterprise, is home at various times of the year to Canadian geese, mallard ducks, grebes, and swans.

In the streams and creeks that run along Highway 82, the lucky birder will see the great blue heron, patiently waiting for its dinner. This bird is distinguished by its dusky, blue gray color, feathered crest, long legs, and long pointed bill perfect for spearing its dinner. Some say, to see a great blue heron is a sign of good luck. And that blue bird, with the blue crest, white and rust-colored markings, sitting on the power line? That is a belted kingfisher. Other birds easily spotted from a passing car include red-winged blackbirds, clinging to cattail stalks.

Some common birds seen in the forest at the lake include red-shafted flickers and downy woodpeckers. Other birds common to the Wallowa area are black-billed magpies, crows, starlings, ospreys, juncos, sparrows, hummingbirds, mourning doves, robins, great horned owls, and goldfinches.

The website www.ebird.org lists more than 275 different birds that have been seen in and around the Wallowa County area. Some require a day trip to such places as Hat Point Overlook, which includes a scenic ride and a view of the Snake River Canyon.

How many birds will you see on your next trip to Wallowa County?

Ring necked pheasant

Beautiful specimens such as this pheasant typically are a common sight around the post-harvest fields of the Wallowa Valley.

Rick Swart/Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife

OK Theatre

Now 105 years old, Enterprise’s OK Theatre continues to be a cultural mecca for Wallowa County and the larger Northwest.

Story & photos by Bill Bradshaw

This year, owners Darrell and Christi Brann celebrate their decennial of owning it.

“We started off in 2014 so this is our 10th year — we’re calling it our decennial celebration year,” Darrell Brann said.

They’ll be marking their decennial Aug. 1-3. But the season opens before that.

“We’ve got our first show coming next week on the sixth of March with Margo Cilker — she used to live in Enterprise and now she’s getting back to her folk music.”

He said the singer-songwriter’s husband, Forrest VanTuyl, will be opening the show for her.

Pandemic to pandemic

Originally scheduled to open in December 1918, the theater was delayed by the Spanish Flu pandemic and had to wait until early 1919.

“Originally it had 500 seats somehow,” Brann said. “I don’t know if they were smaller people. We have 350 seats in here now.”

A centry later, the Branns experienced another pandemic — COVID-19 — which slowed work on the restoration of the building.

The Branns have received thousands of dollars in grants and donations to help restore the one-time movie house in recent years.

Darrell said they received two grants for $100,000 each from the state Parks Department specifically for building’s façade. He’s also received contributions from Restore Oregon and local donors.

He coughed up some matching funds from his own savings. He’s also contributed labor through his own construction company.

“Everything we put in was with matching funds and labor,” he said. “We also had a lot of volunteers, particularly on the first round. Since COVID, we haven’t had as many volunteers, but that’s mainly because it got really awkward there for a while. We do have a goal that we are continuing with other spaces around — we’re adding a bar eventually, living spaces above and below the stage and a new green room (a room set aside for performers to spend time before going on stage.) The apartments will be for artist residencies.”

Darrell said there used to be apartments in the building, but they had to end such renting since they need access to those spaces for artists.

“The long-term plan is to have a place for artists to be able to stay while they record records with OK Records,” Darrell said.

Recent work

The second pandemic hasn’t stopped them.

“We had a big push this winter with the concession area,” Darrell said.

On Tuesday, Feb. 27, the Branns were working on some final paint work. There’s ornate woodwork by local artist Steve Arment and painting and stenciling by Joan Gilbert, Darrell said.

Recently, the Branns have reinstalled windows above the street that were boarded up since the 1950s.

They still have to close them off to keep outside light from being a distraction.

“When we took over the OK, the whole area was one of the most depressed around,” he said. “I’ve been here since 1999. The theater had been shut down for almost a year at that point. The bowling alley in Joseph was gone. … A lot of us missed that. You’re raising five kids in a small town and you want something for them to do.”

Family fun

With little to do for families, the Branns wanted their theater to become a family-friendly option.

They have five kids; the oldest two are out on their own. The oldest, Meredith, is living and working in Nashville and for the past two months has been teaching in Honduras.

There second child, Hartwell, is studying architecture at the University of Idaho in Moscow. Daughter Isabella will graduate this year and son Alden will the year after. Their youngest, Parker, is almost 11.

“He’s on his own track and having fun,” Darrell said. All the kids have been home-schooled.

The kids also have taken part in the OK. Brann said he and Christi figured it would be a fun and educational experience for their kids to meet performers and others in the community. The kids also learned some business, working the concessions stand.

“They enjoyed that and we figured it was a great way for us to plug into the community as a family,” he said.

Opera box

The acts

Beyond being an entrepreneur, Darrell has enjoyed being involved in the music world.

“It’s been really fun as a musician, myself, picking out people we like — there are so many musicians — I really take pride in the fact that I can hear and I’m looking for quality musicians,” he said. “Sometimes they may not have the best presence on the internet, but if I go and hear an example of them playing live and I can tell this is a good performer, we need to bring them in. I try to do that. It’s really paid off because many of them have played here and then go on to win Grammys.”

One recent example came in 2017, when the electric bluegrass performer Billy Strings performed at the OK.

“He is now untouchable by people like us,” he said. “He fills arenas with thousands of people and he’s a Grammy-winning power at this point.”

Daughter Meredith got her musical start at the OK. She released her debut album in 2019.

Other noteworthy acts the OK has welcomed include:

• Del McCoury, the most-awarded bluegrass player in history.

• Bluegrass mandolinist Sierra Hull.

• The Grammy Award-winning Infamous Stringdusters in 2018.

• The Wallowa Valley Chorale.

• Asleep At The Wheel in 2016.

• Riders in the Sky in 2015.

• Five-time Grammy-winner Victor Wooten.

Darrell said he finds bluegrass the best fit for Enterprise audiences.

“In trying to find something that fits our town, I’ve found that bluegrass tends to be popular with a younger audience — they like a jam-band element — we had the Infamous Stringdusters and they went off to become Grammy-winners,” he said.

Concessions area

Opera boxes frame the stage of the OK Theatre in Enterprise. Workers are preparing the theater for the March 6 opening of its 2024 season.

A worker cleans up after doing some painting in the concessions area of the OK Theatre in Enterprise.

“In trying to find something that fits our town, I’ve found that bluegrass tends to be popular with a younger audience — they like a jam-band element.”

By bringing in a wide variety of performers, they’ve been able to reach out to many in the community.

“Our goal has been to have a real cross-section of the community in here,” he said. “I feel that as we get more things done, we want to be open to more events.”

But Darrell isn’t just trying to bring in the big, already-established acts.

“We love to support local musicians when they’re coming up,” he said.

But it’s mostly about giving the Wallowa County community a good time.

“We’re all here in a small area and I hope we can learn to get along and be a little bit different than the rest of the country,” he said. “People are welcome here and we want to have fun and that’s really what it’s about — trying to put some of that stuff aside and just enjoy yourself — have a beer, listen to some music and eventually watch a show.”?

Finishing touches

OK Theatre owner Darrell Brann looks over the area of the theater that will one day hold a bar and some concessions. He and workers are still putting the finishing touches on the theater.

Season opener prep

A worker masks off an area to be painted at the OK Theatre in Enterprise as Darrell Brann and construction workers get the theater prepared for the for the 2024 season.

D iscover

Camp cooking

with the kids

Patience and imagination are the keys

Story by Ann Bloom

Camping with children, as with hiking with them, requires planning and preparation.

You can go the hotdog-and-marshmallow-over-the-campfire route, or with a little imagination, you can have some truly tasty and nutritious meals and give children a skill — outdoor cooking — they can use for the rest of their lives.

First, involving children in the planning of what they are going to eat goes a long way toward spreading the workload, bonding with your children, and helping them build their outdoor skills (this is true for cooking at home, too). Plus, you can introduce recipes that feature new foods they might try with more interest and enthusiasm since it’s “outdoor cooking” and not “at-home” cooking.

Before the big event, you will want to sit down with your family and plan out the menus for the number of days you will be camping, times the number of meals for the number of people in your family. If you are a family of four, are planning a trip for three days, factoring three meals a day and one snack per day, you will need food for 36 meals and 12 snacks, and using leftovers is fine.

Breakfast, lunch, and snacks can be relatively simple. For example, if you are cooking on a camp stove or even over an open fire, pancakes and eggs are easy, nutritious and most children like them. Granola and yogurt, milk and fruit is another option. Lunches can be simple sandwiches (PBJ’s are as popular camping as they are at home) and a piece of fruit. Snacks such as veggies and hummus or cheese and crackers are easy go-to snacks that kids can fix themselves after a long day of swimming in Wallowa Lake.

If you and your family have been enjoying swimming in the lake and hiking the surrounding trails, everyone is going to be hungry by dinner time.

The age of the children will partially dictate how much food is purchased. As most parents know, teenagers eat a lot more than small children. It’s always a good idea to have more than less, especially if you are at a remote campground where the nearest store is 25 miles away!

Fortunately, Wallowa Lake State Park is close to a store which is well-stocked with provisions and the campsites are well-equipped with picnic tables and fire pits.

So, what’s next after you’ve made your menus? Recipes, right? So, to answer everyone’s question of, “what’s for dinner?,” try these camp dinner recipes, some of which have been eaten around family campfires for generations.

A helpful tip from many websites that cater to camping families with kid-friendly recipes is to do as much preparation at home before heading to your campsite. This could include browning meat, cutting up fruits and vegetables, or making a chili or stew to freeze. This is a good chance to spread the workload and include the kids, letting them know that cooking and eating is a shared experience (including cleanup).

Even the youngest children can do some of the preparation for the camping trip. Young children can wash fruits and vegetables. Older children, with supervision and instruction, can brown meat on the stove and cut up produce.

When the sun sets behind the Wallowa Mountains, even though the calendar may say July or August, the temperature will drop noticeably, and it will become cool. This may be the time to bring out the chili, and maybe some cornbread. Another popular camp dinner recipe is called “Hobo Packets.” These are simple, easy to put together and everyone can make their own to suit their tastes.

To make a hobo packet, start with a piece of foil. Add a protein — perhaps the browned, ground meat from home — or sliced chicken breast. Add some chopped onions, potatoes and carrots. Season with salt and pepper and Italian seasoning blend, add a pat of butter, and close the foil tightly around the ingredients, creating a packet. Place the packet in the coals of your campfire (or on the burner of your camp stove) and cook for 30 minutes, turning once; check halfway through the cooking time for doneness.

Another popular camp dinner that fits the easy and yummy factors is the “Walking Taco.” Some say once you eat one of these, you will never go back to regular tacos again. For the walking taco, which again can be made to suit individual tastes, start with a snack-bag size of Fritos or Doritos. Assemble some of the meat you have browned ahead of time, taco toppings such as lettuce, olives, avocado, onion, grated cheese, chopped tomatoes, sour cream and salsa. Open the bag of chips and add the toppings, mix, and eat with a fork or spoon. Try substituting chili for the taco ingredients for a different take on the taco.

And what would a camp dinner be without a camp dessert? Aside from s’mores — a combination of a piece of chocolate and melted marshmallow sandwiched between two graham cracker squares — there are also cobblers and “Banana Boats.” To make a banana boat, slit a banana lengthwise, from one end to the other. Pull back the peel and fill it with chocolate chips, miniature marshmallows and chopped nuts. Wrap the banana in foil and place it in the hot coals of a campfire and leave it there until the chocolate and marshmallows have melted and the banana is hot (this might take about five minutes). Open the foil with care, as the banana boat will be hot. Enjoy!

During your camping trip, depending on the menu, children can learn several outdoor cooking methods, including packet, Dutch oven, open fire, and camp stove. Your outdoor kitchen equipment list should include potholders, tongs, a cast iron frying pan, utensils for chopping, a cutting board, and a Dutch oven.

Several websites offer valuable recipes and tips for cooking with children in the outdoors, including www.crazyoutdoormama. com and www.packedforlife.com.

With a little planning and preparation, you will create memories with your children that they will talk about for years to come.

Antique straw burner

Erl McLaughlin stands by an antique straw burner at his Sunrise Iron museum outside of Enterprise on Sunrise Road.

Bill Bradshaw/Wallowa County Chieftain

Sunrise Iron Preserving the past, one piece at a time

Story by Ann Bloom

In a dusty metal shop at the end of a dirt road south of Enterprise, you will find Erl McLaughlin’s Sunrise Iron shop. There he displays the antique farming equipment he has collected and restored in an effort to preserve the heritage of Wallowa County’s agricultural history.

Opened in 1983, Sunrise Iron boasts a large collection of antiques including 35 tractors, several horse-drawn wagons, four hard rubber tire trucks from 1918, and a few vintage signs.

“I just wanted to preserve our heritage here that used to be how people used to make a living and how 80 or 90% of the population fed the other part of the population. We’re not there now. It’s only 1 or 2% of us are farmers,” McLaughlin said.

But the equipment isn’t just aesthetically restored: much of it is functional. “I’ve restored most of mine to the point that the tractors and the equipment runs and the horse-drawn equipment is in usable condition,” McLaughlin said.

McLaughlin has more than vintage equipment; he has some extremely rare pieces he values as priceless. “I guess

the number one on the list there is I’ve got a 1915 Model 1023 wheel case that there’s only two of them left in existence,” he said.

The small shop holds a large number of pieces.

“I’ve got two or 3,000 feet of shelf space along the edges,” McLaughlin said.

Finding such amazing antique pieces of equipment has its own challenges. McLaughlin relies on old-fashioned marketing techniques.

“So, I rely on people coming to Sunrise Iron on my open house day to send people home with cards,” he said. “Hopefully they will help me find some stuff wherever they live,” McLaughlin said.

“When I have my annual shows, I get some publicity releases in some of the papers here in Northeast Oregon and just through word of mouth and one thing and another and I’m getting pretty well widely known, (that) if you’re interested in old antiques, I’m out here,” McLaughlin said.

D iscover

Minam to Troy

Looking for the most direct route from Minam to Troy? It starts at the Minam Store — and bring your life jacket. The route is by raft down the Wallowa River to the Grande Ronde and onto Troy — about 45 river miles.

Grant Ritchie and his wife, Lottie, bought the store in 2011. It then included a motel, but they closed that part in 2018. They gutted the motel and turned it into what would become their home.

The “back way,” Ritchie said, is overland via the Promise Road just west of Wallowa. But that’s also the rough way — a dirt road through scenic country over a ridge to Wildcat Creek and down to the Powwatka Bridge. There, drivers cross the Grande Ronde and drive another seven miles to Troy.

If a driver wants to take paved road all the way, that means going to Enterprise and up Highway 3 into Washington and down the grade to Boggan’s Oasis. There, after crossing the Grande Ronde, it’s another 16 miles to Troy.

Ritchie said multiday trips can be booked in advance. A threeday trip, where rafters pull over and camp, doesn’t start until April. Rafters can enjoy the moderate whitewater of the Wallowa and the Grande Ronde.

Minam Store Opens for the season in April.

The Promise Road crosses the Grande Ronde River about seven miles from Troy.

Anglers try their luck for steelhead in the Wallowa River just east of Minam.

Anglers take their boat out at Boggan’s Oasis after a day of steelhead fishing.

The store’s guided rafting trips last until midNovember. See www.minamstore.com for details, including prices.

“It gets to where you don’t see anyone for two weeks at a time,” Ritchie said.

He said those not up to the three-day trek can do a day trip that goes down 9½ miles to about where the Wallowa empties into the Grande Ronde. From there, the rafts are placed on a railroad flatcar and Ritchie tows them back to the store with his rail-equipped Chevy Suburban.

He said he’s allowed to use the tracks from 3-6 p.m. each day. The tracks are shared with the Eagle Cap Excursion Train on Wednesdays and Saturdays and by the Joseph Branch Railriders.

The half-day raft trip starts at 1 p.m. Customers have lunch outside the store at the food truck.

The rivers give rafters an overall smooth-sailing trip. Although there’s a little whitewater, it’s nothing serious, Ritchie said.

“It’s pretty mild whitewater; it’s not fast and it’s not eddies,“ he said.

In the early months of the year, rafters and other boaters are mainly out there for the steelhead. Later on, anglers will find trout and whitefish, with bull trout coming occasionally.

During the seasons when the store isn’t open, anglers and rafters can launch opposite the Wallowa River from the store and take their own trips.

Those making the trip to Troy usually take out near the Troy School, said Doug Wittherrite, owner of Wenaha Bar & Grill. He said no one is at Troy to help with the rafts; rafters are on their own to take out.

“We feed a few of them and that’s about all,” he said.

Wittherrite said the water gets low in the middle of summer.

“It kind of comes to a screeching halt in the middle of July because they run out of water,” he said. “But the water comes back up in the fall.”

When the water is high enough, some rafters choose to go onto Boggan’s Oasis and take out there — or even on down the Grande Ronde to the Snake River. But that’s another story.

As for the cross-country trek, a trip in late February encountered a bit of snow on the Promise Road, but this year it wasn’t bad. The road’s a bit rough and it helps to have four-wheel drive engaged.

But be on the lookout for wildlife. Drivers will occasionally stumble on a herd of elk or a scattering of deer.

Wittherrite said Troy sees so many head of wildlife because “It stays green here.” That’s understandable at only 1,624 feet above sea level.

Getting near Troy, there may be bighorn sheep. They’ll stand in the road until a driver makes it clear he’s coming through.

Then, there’s the wild turkeys. They can be in a flock of scores not at all worried that they might be seen as Thanksgiving guests. The wild birds are much smaller than their domestic cousins raised for the table.

Bighorns

A herd of about 15 bighorn sheep just off the road upstream from Troy.

Wild turkeys

Wild turkeys at Troy.

Troy, Oregon

Only 20-30 people live in Troy, one of Oregon’s smallest towns.

Wallowa County Rodeos

Rodeo culture in Wallowa County has a long history and a promising future

Story by Daniel Brooks

The county, home to about 7,500 people, hosts a pair of major rodeos each year: Chief Joseph Days, which got its start in 1946 and has grown into the biggest single event of the year in the county, and Mountain High Broncs and Bulls, a free rodeo which marks its 20th anniversary in 2024.

Chief Joseph Days started in 1946; the event was co-founded by Harley Tucker, a rodeo producer from Joseph.

The 2024 edition of Chief Joseph Days will mark its 78th go-round, said Terry Jones of Lostine, the president of its board of directors. Jones said Tucker’s contributions remain firmly embedded in the DNA of Chief Joseph Days.

“Harley Tucker was one of the instrumental people that got Chief Joseph Days rodeo going,” Jones said. “The rodeo grounds is named Harley Tucker Memorial Arena.”

But Jones himself has played a big role in Chief Joseph Days for more than 30 years.

“1991 is when I got involved, and I am now 70 years old,” he said. “That’s been a lot of years.”

Chief Joseph Days frequently is listed among the top rodeos in Oregon and nationally as well: “We’ve won the Columbia River Circuit Medium Rodeo of the Year two years in a row,” Jones said.

Chief Joseph Days got its start in 1946 and has grown into the biggest single event of the year in the county.

Mountain High bull riding

A contestant gives the bull-riding event a whirl in this undated photo from Mountain High Broncs and Bulls. The one-day rodeo likely is the only free-admission rodeo in Northeast Oregon.

Mountain High

Mountain High Broncs and Bulls: mountainhighrodeo.com

Flaming lasso

Wallowa County rodeos also offer some unusual entertainment, such as trick roper Loop Rawlins, seen here dazzling the Chief Joseph Days Rodeo crowd with his flaming lasso and other tricks in 2023’s event.

Bill Bradshaw/Wallowa County Chieftain

Chief Joseph Days: chiefjosephdays.com

Bucking Horse Stampede

The Chief Joseph Days event traditionally begins with what’s known as the “Bucking Horse Stampede,” in which wranglers guide the rough stock down Joseph’s Main Street toward the Harley Tucker Memorial Arena, where the rodeo is held.

Bill Bradshaw/Wallowa County Chieftain

Broncs and Bulls/contributed photo

“There are over 400 to 450 medium rodeos in the PRCA (Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association) and we were in the top five this past year,” Jones said.

Chief Joseph Days 2024 is scheduled for July 23-28.

Lee Daggett is another fixture in the rodeo culture of Wallowa County. He also was involved with Chief Joseph Days, but branched out into his own rodeo event. “I started Mountain High Broncs and Bulls 20 years ago. This would be the 20th anniversary,” he said.

Despite changes in culture and reliance on technology, the rodeo scene in America and in Oregon is growing. “Last year, even in a rainy performance, we still had nearly 3,000 people that came out and watched the show” at Mountain High Broncs and Bulls, Daggett said.

Mountain High Broncs and Bulls has another feature that helps it stand out among rodeos: Admission is free.

“We’re the only free-admission rodeo pretty much in Northeast Oregon that I’m aware of,” Daggett said.

Mountain High Broncs and Bulls 2024 is scheduled for June 15.

Both rodeos are about community and family connections are a part of that.

“You know, people come to be entertained,” Jones said. “They come to watch the rodeo, but they also come because of the family ties. It’s just like a family reunion.”

Rodeo tradition keeps alive American traditions. Those traditions are part of its appeal and may be helping to fuel its recent growth.

“So, there’s a lot of color and pageantry with grand entries and a lot of patriotism with the national anthem is big with us and the American flag,” Daggett said. “We still have a cowboy prayer to begin our rodeo with those kinds of grassroots traditional things that are embedded and (we’re) probably not gonna get away from that.”

Both events are made possible through community support by volunteers and business sponsorships.

“We’ve got some very wonderful sponsors in Wallowa County that have been with us for years,” Jones said. “And if we didn’t have those sponsors and those sponsorship dollars, we would not be able to put on the show that we do.”

Support from volunteers is also a critical element. “It takes over 300 volunteers to put our rodeo on,” Jones said.

Looking toward the future of rodeo in Wallowa County, Daggett talked about positive shifts in rodeo culture and how some old traditions are giving way to new traditions — and, he said, this year’s Mountain High Broncs and Bulls is part of that shift.

“We’re gonna break a glass ceiling this year,” Daggett said.

“Mackenzie Robins is coming to us to put on a first performance that we know of up here in the Northwest, where we have a lady barrel man,” Daggett said.

A barrel man, or barrel woman, provides three main functions in a rodeo, Daggett said:

“Comedy is good. Entertainment, of course, is second, and third is the barrel man gives us (time) on the rodeo production side. Time that we desperately need to move livestock, position cowboys, and prepare for the next section of event in a rodeo.”

Robins has been working in professional rodeo as a barrel person now for three years.

“I teased her,” Daggett said. “I said, ‘Well, I guess I probably can’t call you a barrel man, huh?’ And she says, ‘You can call me whatever you want if the check clears.’”

Level 1: READY

Level 2: SET

• Level 1 means BE READY for potential evacuation. There is a fire in your local area.

• Prepare for any family with special needs, mobile property, and pets or livestock.

• Monitor local social media, news & radio for information.

• Alert household members and neighbors.

• Emergency Personnel may contact you via an emergency notification system.

BEFORE AND DURING FIRE SEASON

• Make an evacuation plan, assign specific tasks to household members, and practice it.

• Register for Emergency Notifications.

• Create at least 100 feet of defensible space around your home using Firewise concepts.

• Make a list of your 5Ps (People, Pets, Pills, Photos, important Papers).

• Prepare a 72-Hour Kit.

• Know alternate ways out of your neighborhood.

• Know evacuation plans for family members in school, assisted living & childcare.

• Designate an out-of-area contact who can relay information.

• Plan how you will transport your pets.

• Keep your vehicle fuel tank at least half full.

• Level 2 means : BE SET to evacuate. You must be prepared to leave at a moments notice.

• Level 2 signifies that there is a significant danger in your area. Load your 5Ps and 72-Hour Kit into the car.

• You MAY have time to gather necessary items, but you must be prepared to leave at a moment’s notice.

• Shut off home gas sources at the meter or tank.

• Relocate to a specified shelter (if activated) or with family/ friends outside the affected area.

• Leave your house lights on, windows closed, and doors unlocked.

• If you have time, write EVACUATED on a pillow case and hang it at the end of your driveway.

• THIS MAY BE THE ONLY NOTICE THAT YOU RECEIVE

During an evacuation, roads become congested with vehicles, dust and smoke, making evacuation a slow process.

Long before evacuation seems likely, READY, SET , and GO!

The American Red Cross recommends every household have an emergency supply kit assembled long before a wildland fire or other emergency occurs. Use the checklist below to help assemble yours. More tips at www.redcross.org

• Three-day supply of water (one gallon per person, per day) and non-perishable food for household members (3 day supply).

• First aid kit and sanitation supplies, including toilet paper and baby wipes.

• Flashlight, battery-powered radio, and extra batteries.

• An extra set of car keys, credit cards, cash, or traveler’s checks.

• Extra eyeglasses, contact lenses, prescriptions, and medications.

• Important documents such as proof of residence, insurance policies, birth certificates, phone lists, prescriptions, wills

and deeds.

• Sleeping bag & clothing for each family member.

• Emergency blanket.

• Map marked with evacuation routes.

• Easily carried valuables and irreplaceable items.

• Personal electronic devices and chargers.

• Entertainment for you and your family that does not require electricity.

• Keep a pair of old shoes and a flashlight handy in case of a sudden evacuation at night.

Level 3: GO!

• Level 3 means GO, evacuate NOW. Leave Immediately.

• The danger in your area is current and you should evacuate immediately.

• DO NOT delay leaving to gather any belongings or attempt to protect your home.

• Let your emergency contact and family members know where you are going.

• Obey orders of law enforcement & fire department officials.

• Drive calmly and with special attention to emergency vehicles.

• Do not block access to roadways for emergency vehicles or other evacuees.

• THIS WILL BE THE LAST NOTICE YOU WILL RECEIVE

AFTER EVACUATION

• Check in at an emergency shelter. Whether you stay or not, checking in will help others know you are safe at www.safeandwell.org

• Take pets to a Pet Evacuation Center or safe location

• DO NOT call 9-1-1 for non-emergencies.

• Do not attempt to re-enter the fire area until it is declared safe by law enforcement.

In the event of an emergency in your area, you may be asked to evacuate. It’s important to understand the different levels of evacuation and what they mean for you, your family, your pets and your home. Entry to evacuated areas may be denied until conditions are safe. Always cooperate with law enforcement and emergency response personnel.

Local TV and radio stations have been asked to broadcast periodic updates (KWVR 92.1 FM/1340 AM). Information may also be found on social media:

Elkhorn Media Group - elkhornmediagroup.com

Wallowa County Chieftain - www.wallowa.com

lnciWeb Incident Information - inciweb.nwca.gov

For more information on actions to take before, during, and after a wildfire, visit: extension.oregon. edu/fire-program

Wallowa County Books

If you can’t get to Wallowa County, the next best thing might be reading about it

Story by Mike McInally

If you do get to Wallowa County, bringing along a book about the area guarantees a deeper and richer experience.

It’s no secret any more: Wallowa County is one of Oregon’s hotspots for terrific writing. The county has inspired any number of great books, all of which would be excellent companions on your next trip - even if it’s a trip from the comfort of your easy chair.

We consulted a variety of experts in compiling what is, by necessity, an incomplete list of essential books about Wallowa County. Our experts come from an Enterprise bookstore, a Joseph museum and an Enterprise nonprofit organization devoted to good writing about the West.

• “Temperance Creek,” by Pamela Royes. Royes beautifully recounts her story of coming to Wallowa County and falling in love with a man and the place together. It’s a great portrait of riding the canyonlands, and a requiem of sorts for a specific moment in the 1970s.

• “Home Below Hells Canyon,” by Grace Jordan. This memoir, set in the 1930s, follows the Jordan family (Les, his wife Grace and their three small children) as they move — in the heart of the Great Depression to a sheep ranch in the Snake River gorge just below Hells Canyon.

• “Massacred for Gold,” by Gregory Nokes. A glimpse into our darker history, this book tells the story of the murder of 34 Chinese gold miners in 1887 in Hells Canyon and helps put into perspective the brutality and racism of early pioneer life.

• “Winterkill,” by Craig Lesley. Danny Kachiah, the protagonist of Lesley’s novel, is an aging rodeo rider, a Nez Perce who has never connected with his tribal culture. But when his ex-wife dies in a car accident, leaving him a son whom he barely knows, he begins to recall the stories that his father, Red Shirt, had told him. Lesley returns to Kachiah’s story in a follow-up novel, “River Song.”

The Bookloft

107

• “Chief Joseph and the Flight of the Nez Perce,” by Kent Nerburn. An engaging biography of Chief Joseph and the Wallowa Band of the Nez Perce, who were chased from Wallowa County in 1877.

• “Stories of Wallowa Lake,” by Rita Ehrler and Ellen Morris Bishop. A wellresearched and well-written collection of stories and photos that build a picture of the people, places and nature that make up the communities of Wallowa Lake.

• “The Prairie Keepers,” by Marcy Houle. Houle came to the Zumwalt Prairie in 1979 to study hawks. Based on that time, she has written an engaging personal story of how land stewards from radically different perspectives can coexist peacefully and effectively.

• “Into the Minam,” by John and Donna Skovlin. A history of the Minam country by a former forest ranger and his wife. This book gives readers a good grasp of the people who have lived, worked, recreated and protected this special part of the world.

• “Hiking Oregon’s Eagle Cap Wilderness,” by Fred Barstad. This is Falcon Guide’s comprehensive and wellresearched guide to the hiking trails in the wilderness by Barstad, a local mountaineer.

Fishtrap

107

• “Homesteading the North End Ridges and Benches, Volume I,” by Linda Bauck. Bauck has collected hundreds of stories from the homesteaders who populated the North End of the county.

• “Nez Perce Country,” by Alvin Josephy. Many books focus on the War of 1877 when it comes to Nez Perce history. This book offers a concise introduction to the greater history of the Nez Perce people. Josephy, by the way, was an American historian who specialized in Native American issues; he and his wife, Betty, owned a ranch in Joseph and hosted a camp for Nez Perce children. The Josephy Center was founded in his name. If you want a deeper dive into Nez Perce history, consider an earlier Josephy book, “The Nez Perce Indians and the Opening of the Northwest.”

• “Four Lines a Day,” by Janie Tippett. Every day for 60 years, Mary Marks wrote four lines in her journal. Her friend, Janie Tippett, took this collection to create a wonderful picture of the tough and rewarding job of ranching in the wilds of the Imnaha country.

The Josephy Center for Arts and Culture

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Here are some of the books that our experts recommended. Happy reading:

The Museum of Wallowa County

Open 10-4 every day except Tuesday

Complete information available on the Nez Perce National Historic Trail

Don’t miss the 100+ year old sheepherder wagon! Books, videos and cards available for sale.

AspenGALLERYGrove

WALLOWA LAKE

Lodging in Wallowa County

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WALLOWA • LOSTINE