7
CULTURE & HERITAGE
CELEBRATING THE HISTORY
OF EASTERN OREGON
SEPTEMBER 1�8, 2021
Scenic overlook
west of Dayville has
a ‘fossil’-sized view
Cheryl Hoefl er/Go! Magazine
The Mascall Overlook, just off Highway 26, off ers a view of Picture Gorge and the Mascall Formation.
By Cheryl Hoefl er
GO! Magazine
D
AYVILLE — Are you ever
out day-tripping and you
see a spectacular view, but
there’s no place to pull off to
enjoy it?
Yeah, I hate that, too.
There’s a viewpoint west of
Dayville, though, that not only
has plenty of space to stop and
take photos, but offers enough
attractions and services to
make it a bona fide destination
spot all on its own.
The Mascall Overlook, a
geologic gem, is about 4½
miles west of Dayville on High-
way 26. You might have even
passed by the “Overlook” sign
a few times, not realizing the
scenic surprise waiting just off
the highway.
The overlook is about a mile
up a paved road, also called
Antone Highway. There’s
plenty of parking for all kinds
Cheryl Hoefl er/Go! Magazine
of vehicles, from motorcycles
to buses and RVs, with a loop
roadway leading back to the
highway. Want to hang out and
enjoy a picnic? Restrooms and
picnic areas make that easy
too.
So just what is there to see
at this little wayside?
At the end of a short path —
which is wheelchair accessible
— visitors will find a breathtak-
ing vista with 360-degree views
of Picture Gorge to the north,
the western end of the John
Day River valley and the Mas-
call Formation area. Interpre-
tive signs explain the geologic
formations, which were created
15 million years ago.
The Mascall Overlook is part
of the John Day Fossil Beds
National Monument. After
some photo-and-picnic time,
check out the Thomas Con-
don Paleontology Center at
the Sheep Rock Unit, located
nearby on Highway 19, about 2
miles north of Highway 26.
For more information about
the Mascall Formation, visit
www.nps.gov/joda/learn/ na-
ture/mascall-formation.htm.
Visit Heritage Station Museum
for a trip back in time
EOU Week of Welcome - Sign Up NOW!!
Call the Chamber to
participate
(541) 963-8588
EASTERN OREGON UNIVERSITY
Be a part of the
WELCOME PACKAGE!!
Deadline to Participate is
TUES., SEPT. 14TH • 4:00 PM
- Product Samples
- Freebies & Goodies
- Invitations to upcoming events
- Coupons - Small gifts
- ‘Redeemables’, when students
visit in person
- Flyers showing EOU Student
- Discounts
- Etc.
See how wheat helped shape Umatilla County
Step inside a Union Pacific caboose, the Byrd School
and spend time on the Pioneer Homestead
Open Tues-Sat
10am-4pm
IN PENDLETON
www.HeritageStationMuseum.org