Three of us would like to spend some time in eastern Oregon in Feb.. We like open powder play areas, moderate hill climbs, don't need any crowds or fancy accomodations. My question is, should we stop in the John Day area or continue northeast to tollgate and halfway? Any info would be helpful. Thanks in advance!
Advice on Eastern Oregon
- Thread starter Snoplug
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J
jdog
Active member
oregon
tollgate definately has 10 times as many trails and a lot more wooded area for boondocking, not near as much climbing as halfway. I would definately tell u to go to Halfway. Halfway has a couple of motels(nothing fancy), couple of cafes to eat at and a couple of bars. The people are very friendly in Halfway and a lot of them ride so they know the snow conditions. Halfway is a lot more open then tollgate and definatley has some big hills to pull. As far as snow Halfway is a lot colder and therefore it gets the good powder, whereas tollgate tends to set up real quick because it is a lot lower elevations. hope that helps. maybe see u in Halfway. Keep climbing
tollgate definately has 10 times as many trails and a lot more wooded area for boondocking, not near as much climbing as halfway. I would definately tell u to go to Halfway. Halfway has a couple of motels(nothing fancy), couple of cafes to eat at and a couple of bars. The people are very friendly in Halfway and a lot of them ride so they know the snow conditions. Halfway is a lot more open then tollgate and definatley has some big hills to pull. As far as snow Halfway is a lot colder and therefore it gets the good powder, whereas tollgate tends to set up real quick because it is a lot lower elevations. hope that helps. maybe see u in Halfway. Keep climbing
I rode Mt. Emily this morning and the snow was awesome. The only groomed trail is summit road. We rode for about 4 hrs and saw very few sleds. They currently have 3 to 4 feet of snow. There are a lot more trails at Tollgate but you also have a lot more people riding.
being from pendleton i would say halfwat/fishlake area
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papadoo
Member
Definately Ride in Halfway!! Only thing to know is it can fog in on you and you need to know where you are going. The problem with Tollgate is that they don't know how to use the groomer and there are too many trail riders. If you need a guide for Halfway contact username bluemountainsnowguide. See attached photo from December 27, 2007 in Halfway.
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I agree about Tollgate not knowing how to use the groomer!! the last few weeks have been stupid, first they say not enough snow, then to much snow, then its to powdery, and then the groomer is broke. How can it be broke it has barely been used?? I was very happy today though to find that they had groomed to Ruckel since I had my wife and son along!
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Thanks for the info. Is it worth spending any time down in the John Day area and Blue Mt area? Thanks again!
I dont guide anymore just for fun but if you happen to be going same time, would be happy to show you around eitherTollgate or Halfway I am always up for fun, my opinion if you are with a family and inexperienced and trail sleds I would say Tollgate is the best if you are into more deep powder off trail , hills and have experience and sled not to be digging all day do Halfway, Tollgate has awesome trail system all you need is their map and can do good, however Halfway if you have never been there before you could spend 2 days riding till you find the good stuff, would still have a good time but may miss the best of it
There is good riding in the Blues and the riding is worth it if you can hook up with a local that knows the area. Like they have said it depends on your riding ability and sled. I can't speek for the John Day area but the Blues around Pendleton area or Blues and Eagle caps around LaGrande/Baker City area can offer alot of different types of riding and crowd levels (none or alot).
The John Day Area is definantly worth spending some time in if you like to trail ride and mess around in meadows and stuff. Also there is some pretty fair climbing in the strawberries, just stay out of the Wilderness
There is some really good riding over in the John Day area if you know where to go. But in my opinion I would go to Halfway it has everything you would want and you have alot of options there. I have been to tollgate once and won't go back. Just too many people and I didn't really know the area well enough to get into the "good riding" people talk about, spent way to much time on the trails for my liking. At least at Halfway even if you don't know the area that well you can still find alot of really good and fun stuff just off the trail, and if your adventurous you will easily (on a clear day) find anything you want. Well just my 2 cents hope it helps.
Hey Buck your not from Meacham are ya?
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foxyrmk
Well-known member
Of the places that I have played in here in Eastern Oregon, my favorite is Halfway, then probably the Catherine Creek area (Union).
Tollgate does have too many people, even where some of the good areas to play in now.
Ukiah to Granite has a fair area to play. More like a wife and kids ride.
Anthony Lakes is fun when they closed the ski resort, they also have a lot of open areas to play in.
Catherine Creek area - good open areas to play around in with a few small hill climbs.
Enterprise - Small area, haven't checked it all out, but been told that you can get to Halfway from there to do an overnight.
Just my opinion. Hope it helps in anyway.
Tollgate does have too many people, even where some of the good areas to play in now.
Ukiah to Granite has a fair area to play. More like a wife and kids ride.
Anthony Lakes is fun when they closed the ski resort, they also have a lot of open areas to play in.
Catherine Creek area - good open areas to play around in with a few small hill climbs.
Enterprise - Small area, haven't checked it all out, but been told that you can get to Halfway from there to do an overnight.
Just my opinion. Hope it helps in anyway.
Powhound, I live in Hermiston. Went up past Meacham and rode tword Mt. Emily though on Sat, and it was great. Mostly trail and meadow riding, but in 2 1/2 ft. of powder and 5-6' of snow total, it was a lot of fun. There wasn't anyone else on the ridge so the two of us had the whole place to ourselves.
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SnoBanker
New member
Grant County is the place to be
I live in Canyon City (John Day) and I don't think you'll find a better mix of meadows, groomed trails and climbs in the state. Admittedly, I've not ventured far out into the state and I know there a lot of fantastic rides out there but where I live we leave right from the house. 700 miles of groomed trails and hardly any other riders. It's not uncommon to take off from the truck and not see another track, let alone any other sled. Best snow in 10 years. Cheap lodging ($40-$50/room). Great maps of the area are available, too. You can download them at the website. www.grantcountysnowballers.com Let me know if you want more info, we'd love to see some folks visit.
I live in Canyon City (John Day) and I don't think you'll find a better mix of meadows, groomed trails and climbs in the state. Admittedly, I've not ventured far out into the state and I know there a lot of fantastic rides out there but where I live we leave right from the house. 700 miles of groomed trails and hardly any other riders. It's not uncommon to take off from the truck and not see another track, let alone any other sled. Best snow in 10 years. Cheap lodging ($40-$50/room). Great maps of the area are available, too. You can download them at the website. www.grantcountysnowballers.com Let me know if you want more info, we'd love to see some folks visit.
My vote is for Cathrine Creek. You can stay in Baker or Lagrande, alot more lodging then Halfway or Johnday. Plenty of open meadows and hill tops maybe not as make big climbs as halfway and more snow than Johnday.
If you stayed in Baker though you could hit Cathrine Creek, Halfway, Anthony lakes, Sumpter/ granite, tollage, and Prairie City all within a 2 hour drive or less.
If you stayed in Baker though you could hit Cathrine Creek, Halfway, Anthony lakes, Sumpter/ granite, tollage, and Prairie City all within a 2 hour drive or less.
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