Desert Days

Come ride with us as we explore the incredible beauty of the Oregon High Desert and the majesty of the deepest river gorge in North America. Journey back in time to where dinosaurs once roamed and feel the power of the Columbia River.

Day 1 - Arrive in Portland, OR

First we will get together for drinks and hors d'oeuvres the night before we leave to get acquainted with each other, finish any last minute paperwork, establish a group riding style, review the route, and discuss any final details.

Day 2 - Columbia River Gorge (Portland to Condon)   

Our journey begins heading out along the Historic Columbia River Highway and visiting Multnomah Falls, Bonneville Dam, and stopping for lunch in Hood River.  We dip south on a bit of a detour to get a peek of Mt. Hood, before another turn on the Columbia River Highway.  We transition into Central Oregon as we leave the river behind and head toward Condon.  The Historic Condon Hotel will be our stop for the night.

Day 3 - Small Towns and Byways (Condon to Enterprise)

Today will be an awesome day of riding!  Winding highways with virtually no traffic are a recipe for adventure.  We will enjoy over 60 miles of curves on the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway.  Rest and lunch stops will be in charming small towns along the way.  Soon we will be riding in and among the Wallowa Mountains, enjoying amazing forest, mountain, and river scenery.  The last 70 miles of the day are along Hell's Canyon Scenic Byway to the small town of Joseph, making for a spectacular ending to an exciting day!

Day 4 - Goin' Through Hell (Enterprise to Baker City)   

Usually a day spent going through hell would be terrible, but today is different.  The entire 200-mile ride will be spent exploring Hell's Canyon Scenic Byway.  Enjoy stunning surroundings as we ride through North America's deepest canyon. Oxbow Dam and Hell's Canyon Dam are 2 of the sights to explore.  We even get to turn around and take a second shot at the 22-mile stretch they call the Devil's Tail.  This is one time where backtracking is a thrill!  Our destination for the night is Baker City and its many historic buildings dating back to the late 1800's.

Day 5 - Fossils, Rivers, and Bears, Oh My! (Baker to Prineville)   

Another 200-mile day with limited traffic awaits!  Again we will spend time cruising along enjoying the scenery as it changes regularly in this region.  Near the midpoint of the day, we will stop at the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center, the main visitor's center within the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.  The remainder of the day's ride includes twisties, sweeping curves, and a bear named Henry; Mitchell, Oregon's unofficial mascot.  Prineville is our resting place for the night.

Day 6 - Ghost on the Mountain (Prineville to Portland)

We reluctantly begin to head home, but there is still a lot of fun to be had!  We'll look for ghosts, and great photographs, in Shaniko, Oregon, and enjoy the views as we approach Mt. Hood, the tallest mountain in Oregon.  Our close up with the mountain will be at Historic Timberline Lodge.  60 miles remain before returning to Portland and enjoying dinner with new friends.

Day 7 - Depart Portland

Our fantastic time together is over, but there are many things to see in Portland and the Pacific Northwest. Feel free to stick around and explore on your own. If you want to extend your motorcycle rental just let us know and we'll set it up.