Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (July 27, 2016)
Journey Blue Mountain Eagle Wednesday, July 27, 2016 BATES operated from 1917 into the 1960s. Residents, friends and family members continue to gather at the site for bienni- al reunions. Bates State Park has 28 primitive campsites for tents or self-contained RVs, three of which are accessi- ble to those with disabili- ties. There’s a hiker/biker camp area with six sites and electric plug-in access. No reservations are need- ed; campsites are on a first- come, first-served basis. Other features include fire rings, picnic tables, po- table water, a day-use area with a covered shelter and vault toilets. All you need to bring is food, a book and, of course, a camera. The park is open from May 1 to Oct. 31. Continued from Page C2 The park makes a great base camp for adventurous jaunts in just about any di- rection, such as a drive on County Road 20/Middle Fork Lane, along the lazy and winding Middle Fork of the John Day River. Bates is also surrounded by three wilderness areas — Straw- berry Mountain, Monument Rock and North Fork John Day. The nearby hills were prime gold mining area, and the remnants of sev- eral old towns — Galena, Susanville, Greenhorn and Whitney — are also avail- able for investigative ex- ploration just a short drive away. Two nearby bicycle routes, the Old West Sce- nic Bikeway and the Trans- America Trail, also make Bates State Park popular with cross-country cyclists. The park, which opened in 2011, is one of the new- est in the Oregon State Park system. Its very existence C3 Eagle photos/Cheryl Hoefler A friendly flock enjoys the sunshine at Bates Pond. is due in great part to the perseverance and hard work of many former Bates resi- dents who were determined that the memory and history of the close-knit mountain community not be lost. Interpretive signs throughout the park depict and describe the logging history and lifestyle of the company lumber town that The most valuable and respected source of local news, advertising and information for our communities. eomediagroup.com It’s a D IRTY S HAME Restaurant & Saloon Bates State Park, about 17 miles north of Prairie City, is one of the newest gems in the Oregon State Park system. P r airie H ar dware & G ifts Trails from up on the hillside provide scenic views of Bates Pond and the state park beyond. and tourist information center Food • Drinks • Pool Table • Dance floor Tues-Sat 3pm-close • Family friendly ‘till 8pm! 145 E Main St., John Day • 541-575-0365 How to get there: From Prairie City, head east on Highway 26 about 15 miles. Turn left on State Route 7, and left again just past mile post 1 onto County Road 20/Middle Fork Lane. The entrance to the park is about a 1/2 mile ahead on the left. For those traveling from the Dale/Ritter area, it’s about 40 miles from the junction of County Road 20 and Highway 395 down to the state park. County Road 20 is paved and easily accessible in good weather. 124 W Front St., Prairie City • 541-820-3739 (Hold 10 guests each) Clyde Holliday State Park 31 RV or tent sites with electric, flushing toilets, shower, water & hiking MT. VERNON, OREGON 2 miles east of Mt. Vernon • 541-932-4453 541-575-2831 For all of life’s emergencies, trust Blue Mountain Hospital, quality healthcare close to home. THE LANDING LODGE Family Owned and Operated No matter how minor or major your emergency may be, we have the resources to serve you. From quality around-the-clock emergency room and inpatient care to quick outpatient services, we’ve got all of your health care needs covered. Lab • X-ray • Ultrasound • CT & MRI • Birthing Rooms • Surgery • Ambulance 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! 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 Hospital District 170 Ford Road, John Day 541-575-1311