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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (July 29, 2015)
Journey Through Grant County Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, July 29, 2015 C7 The trail, though well-defined later, has a tricky start from the gravel road, amid the brush and dirt paths trying to camouflage it. But it’s there, right alongside the first sign which points the way. THE LANDING LODGE Family Owned and Operated Eagle photos/Cheryl Hoefler Lupines and wild columbines are among the variety of abundant wildflowers at Cedar Grove. GROVE Continued from Page C6 and even parking is limit- ed. However, visitors will be pleasantly rewarded with this accessible ven- ture into our rich forest land. And camping and re- strooms are not far away. Billy Fields Forest Camp is just about 10 miles from Cedar Grove, back on Fields Creek Road. Upon arriving at Cedar Grove, the trailhead from the gravel road seems a bit hard to spot, amid the brush and maze of dirt paths. But start right alongside the sign and you’ll be on your way. It’s a bit dusty and dry there, but after a few hundred feet, you’ll come to a gate, and after passing through that, the scenery and trail changes to a more lush venture, as it enters the forest along the slopes of Aldrich Mountain. And a cool one, too. On summer days when the John Day Valley tempera- tures are soaring, Cedar Grove offers a welcoming drop of several degrees. Even in mid-July, lupines and wild columbines are still in colorful abun- dance. The trail to the botani- cal area – and the Alaskan yellow cedars – is clearly visible, well-marked and not long, only about two miles down and back up. The trail is part of the Na- tional Recreation Trails system, and markers on trees keep trekkers on the right path. But “short” does not mean “easy,” and remem- ber – what goes down must come back up. The trail descends, with several switchbacks, down a steep hillside to the botanical area near Buck Cabin Creek. And, even though the trail is open to the public, it has • Full Automotive Machine Shop • Outside Salesmen • Full Line Martin Senour Paints • ASE-Certified Countermen • Oxygen & Acetylene • Steel Sales Closed Sundays difficulty level, Cedar Grove is easy to get to, and quite a spectacular lo- cal treasure, waiting to be discovered. Just remem- ber to take plenty of wa- ter, snacks, a hiking stick or pole – and a camera for those wildflowers and yel- low cedars. Sunday Breakfast Buffet: $8.95 Senior Special: $6.95 Mon-Sat: 8 am-8 pm Sun: 8 am-6 pm 71000 East Morphine Ln., Heppner • 541-969-3822 For camping reservations call 541-989-8214 Blue Mountain Care Center Proudly Serving Grant County Since 1966 • Your Source for Automotive, Truck and Tractor Parts & Accessories not yet been logged out or maintained for the season, so visitors should be pre- pared to shimmy over or around a few downed logs. A sign at the trailhead does caution its “more dif- ficult” status. Horses and mountain bikes are welcome on the trail, in addition to foot travelers, but no motor- ized vehicles. So, despite the lack of nearby services and a cau- tionary word on the trail’s 5 star sit-down restaurant replacing the Snack Shack Prime rib every Saturday night (call for reservations) Perfect place to take a drive and spend some time with family and enjoy some great home-style cooking! Quality Life - Beautiful Location Giving excellent care 24 hrs a day “NAPA Know How” Great Parts Great People Great Prices JOHN DAY AUTO PARTS 721 W. Main Street • John Day 541-575-1850 112 E. 5th St., Prairie City 541-820-3341