Trophy Fish
Highlights & Remarkable Spots
The Joseph Cemetery (mile 3.5)
We found little historical information on the cemetery itself; however, we took some time to wander and look: old headstones and grand views of the Wallowa mountains.
The Liberty Grange (mile 8.7)
Liberty Grange is the oldest grange in Wallowa county. The Grange is a national organization with it focus on family and community with its roots in agriculture. The Grange endorses the motto “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”
Early in its history, Grange leaders realized that social interaction was especially important to rural residents. For 140 years, Grange halls have existed as community centers where residents gather for educational events, town meetings, dances, potlucks, and entertainment
The Wallowa Fish Hatchery (mile 22.5)
The hatchery began operation in 1920 as a resident trout hatchery. In 1985, the hatchery was renovated as part of the Lower Snake River Compensation Program (LSRCP) – a program to mitigate for spring Chinook and summer steelhead losses caused by the four federal dams constructed on the lower Snake River. Wallowa Hatchery is used for adult collection, spawning, acclimation, and release of 60,000 rainbow trout and over one million summer steelhead smolts each year.
Make sure you stop at the fish hatchery to tour the ponds. There is also a visitor center. But the best is to chat up one of the workers. Bob is the best! Lastly… don’t forget the small hike along the back (to the north). We saw a turtle sunning itself and a big owl.
The Hurricane Creek Grange (mile 29.2)
Hurricane Creek Grange #608 was chartered on the Fifth of February, 1923, and has enjoyed a long history of serving the needs of its Wallowa County community. The Grange Hall was constructed by Grange workers in 1926, and the dining room was added in the early 1950s. Hurricane Creek Grange has been involved in the community — hosting numerous activities and fundraisers to support local activities and organizations. The Grange participates in the county-wide Wallowa County Pomona Grange #22 as well as the Oregon State Grange and the National Grange.
Joseph (start / finish)
Joseph is located at the foot of the Wallowa Mountains in Northeast Oregon. Incorporated in 1887, it has long served as a gateway to incredible recreational opportunities, including Wallowa Lake, the Eagle Cap Wilderness, and the Hells Canyon Recreation Area. However, Joseph is far more than a tourist destination. Agriculture and ranching are a mainstay of the valley, and when the timber industry collapsed in the 1980s, a new industry was born as three bronze foundries opened in 1982.
Today Joseph is home to an eclectic mix of people — true cowboys’ mix with world-class artists to create an atmosphere that’s both traditional and progressive. Its citizens, some descending from families who lived in Wallowa County for generations and some who came to visit and decided never to leave, know that Joseph is a uniquely amazing place to call home.
When We Like to Ride This
The route “goes” from early spring to late fall. As long as there is no snow on the ground in Joseph, the route is rideable. We really like this ride when the fields are still green, the flowers are in bloom, and the creeks are running full. This is usually into early July.
Terrain & Riding
Fanning out from the base of the Wallowa Mountains between Joseph and Enterprise are the lovely Wallowa Valley and Alder Slope. The low traffic flow and delightfully aged pavement, and county maintained gravel roads make possible a memorable tour with breathtaking views of snow-capped peaks, hay fields, barns, and everyday rural living.
The first 22 miles of the route are quite gentle, with rolling hills and an overall downhill trend. Just after the fish hatchery, the route gets a bit more aggressive with two short climbs. The first is paved with an average gradient of 3.5% over 2.5 miles. The second is gravel with an average gradient of 4.2% in just under 2 miles. (The climbs feel a bit more challenging than the numbers let on …. maybe we took too much of a break at the fish hatchery. Hmm?)
We like this route for the history and context it provides. Take some time along the route to stop.
The Start
Joseph City Park. Flush toilets and water.
Lat / Long: 45.348142, -117.232102
Food & Water
- ~ mile 22 - The town of Enterprise, you will need to detour north slightly to get to town.
Route Notes
We recommend a red blinky light with rear looking radar detector (i.e. Garmin Varia)
Videos
The Ride! Trophy Fish!
A quick 2-minute video of what to expect on your ride!
Wallowa County is my Paradise
Podcasts
Rural Riding Etiquette (The Wallowas Region)
Gravel rides near the Wallowa Mountains often traverse remote and rural areas. While you may be out for a Sunday morning gravel ride, there are many ranchers actively working. Eric Makela, Vice President of the Wallowa Mountains Bicycling Club, shares insights on enjoying and staying safe [...]
Fish Hatcheries: The Insider View
What is a fish hatchery? Why are they important? What fish do they raise? What impacts the survival of the fish? Our guest is Kyle Bratcher who is a District Fish Biologist with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and he will discuss fish hatcheries with an emphasis on the Wallowa [...]
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