Great Escapes: Driving Oregon’s Elkhorn Scenic Byway part 4 of 4

Anthony Lake/ Grand Ronde Lake

After leaving Granite, enjoy 40 miles of pure mountain scenery as you travel over the 7,392-foot Elkhorn Mountain summit. Look for roadside remnants of rock walls left behind by early Chinese gold miners. This stretch of road also offers excellent opportunities for boating and fishing at crystal clear Anthony Lake and Grande Ronde Lake. Anthony Lake is the larger of the two and most popular with boaters and anglers. For hikers, the Angell Peak trail offers exercise and the best views of the lake; picnickers will enjoy lunching in the historic gazebo built by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s. There’s no fee for day-use, but there is a fee to stay at the picturesque campground. Next door, sits smaller Grande Ronde Lake. Secluded and serene, it’s another scenic setting for boating, fishing, and camping.

Haines

Following the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad in 1884, Haines was a major supplier of mining, timber, and agriculture products and was known as “The Biggest Little City in Oregon.” Today, the town is not quite as robust (the railroad stop was discontinued in 1962), but Main Street is still alive with a general store, steakhouse, saloon, post office, and more. The historic Chandler log cabin, the first built in Baker County in 1861, sits at the edge of town and is worth a look. The Eastern Oregon Museum is also here and has often been called “grandma’s attic” because of its eclectic collection of over 10,000 household, farming, mining, and pioneer artifacts.

 Although early explorers and Oregon Trail pioneers had it rough as they traversed and settled eastern Oregon, today’s travelers discover plenty of camping, dining, and fun things to do and see along the Elkhorn Scenic Byway. But even if you don’t find any leftover gold along the route, you’ll certainly have a wealth of photos and stories to your credit by journey’s end!

Denise Seith - Great Escapes

In addition to writing about her travels, Denise Seith is also a treasure hunter and loves a good latté. She and her husband own an online gold prospecting and metal detecting equipment store found at GoldRushTradingPost.com