Day 70: Baker City, OR to John Day, OR (88.7 miles)
Big day coming after a non riding day in Baker City. Everyone was anxious to get on the road due to the high mileage and 3 significant climbs on today’s route. Left the campground at 7 am, and proceeded down Route 7.
We passed Phillips Lake before reaching the first climb, Sumpter Pass (5082 ft) at mile 31. The 2nd climb, Tipton Pass (5,124 ft) was at mile 45, and the 3rd climb was Dixie Pass (5,279 ft) at mile 59.5. In between Tipton and Dixie Pass was Austin Junction, a single cafe with great ice cream. I had a scoop of moose tracks and huckleberry. We glided in to Prairie City along the John Day River and finally into the town of John Day, population 1744.
We stayed in a building at the county fairgrounds, which had plenty of room, and didn’t require use of our tents. The John Day River passed through the campground. I fished before and after dinner and caught 5 small trout, very fun.
Image above: Scene near Prairie City
Barns by Austin Junction
Highest climb of the day- Dixie Pass
John Day River at Fairgrounds in John Day
Working the land near Dixie Butte
Farmhouse with a message, near Whitney
Ospreys nesting near Bates State Park
