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