Wallowa Barn Tour
Highlights & Remarkable Spots
The Octagon Barn / ~ Mile 13.6
Built in 1906. Napoleon Beaudoin used this barn as part of a large sheep raising operation. Crossed Sabers Ranch is inscribed over the barn doors to commemorate owner Allan Carpenter’s stint in the cavalry. This is one of Wallowa County’s most photographed barns and part of the Triple Creek Ranch complex.
Stricker Barns / ~ Mile 15.2
Built circa 1900-1920. Both barns were built by the well known early settlers, the Down family. The Strickler family bought the property in 1940 and operated a hay and cattle ranch. The ranch is now part of Triple Creek Ranch.
McClain Barn / ~ Mile 19
Built in 1920 by the McClain family. During that period, the McClains were engaged in raising hogs and dairy cows, with cream sales contributing significantly to their household income. Margaret McClain recalled that the cream was what put groceries on the table. Over time, the original farmhouse was replaced, and a riding arena was added to the property.Al Adelsberger is the current owner of the ranch.
Lone Star Barn / ~ Mile 19.1
Built in 1935 by the Varney family, this barn was primarily used for sheep and livestock. The top half stores hay. Beautiful barn and backdrop.
Joseph Cemetery / ~ Mile 20.8
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.
Brennan Barn / ~ Mile 22
Built in 1933 by the Daggett family, the barn was originally owned by Ben Marks. In 1961, the property was acquired by Mike Brennan and his family. The barn prominently features the “OK Quarter Circle” brand, associated with the renowned actor Walter Brennan, a three-time Academy Award winner known for his roles in Western films. Walter Brennan began visiting Wallowa County in 1940 to relax between film roles and eventually purchased a 12,000-acre cattle ranch on Lightning Creek, approximately 20 miles south of Joseph. His son, Mike Brennan, managed the ranch and raised his family in the area.
Knapper Barn / ~ Mile 22.5
The Knapper family built this barn in 1903. Originally, it functioned as a small dairy operation, featuring a milking parlor on one side and horse stalls on the other, with hay storage in the central area. Today, it is now known as the Smith barn.
Alford Barn / ~ Mile 23.3
Built in 1915 by H.D. Davidheiser for horses and a small dairy. The Alford family has owned this property since 1936. Beside this barn is the beautiful, historic farm home.
Rudger Barn / ~ Mile 23.7
Built in 1905. Historically, this was the Rudger farm for years, and it was a dairy operation. The current owners are Rob & Ary Lamb.
IRA Pace Barn / ~ Mile 25
This barn was built in 1913 by a crew of traveling builders that went from town to town building barns for a living. The barn was used to store hay, and horse stalls were later added. Now two owls reside here, along with many stored items.
Credits & Acknowledgements
This ride guide is funded in part by a grant from Travel Oregon.
And, a big shout out to the Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce for development of the Wallowa Barn Tour guide and for allowing us to use a significant amount content from that guide in this ride description.
When We Like to Ride This
… in the spring when the fields are green and the mountain peaks are snow-capped. If Joseph is clear of snow, the route is rideable.
Terrain & Riding
You will pass by 9 of the 31 barns highlighted in the Wallowa Barn Tour guide on this ride. We recommend printing out the guide, snapping a picture of it, or picking up a copy at the Visitor Center in Joseph and taking it along on the ride.
Please keep in mind that these barns are private property, many of them working ranches, so this is a “ride by” scenic experience only.
The riding is through ranch and farming country on a mix of quiet paved and gravel roads. You will get endless views of the Wallowa Mountains and green pastures.
Also, do not let elevation profile intimidate you; it is very deceiving. It looks like one big climb and descent when in fact, the first 16 miles gain ~ 1100 feet with an average gradient of 1%. The steepest climbing occurs just before mile 16, where it pitches up to 5% for a short distance; however, the climbing is on pavement.
The Start
Park along the side of Crow Creek road at the intersection triangle of Crow Creek Road, Eggleson Lane, and Highway 82.
Food & Water
- None
Route Notes
Please ride with respect! Portions of this ride are through rural working ranch and farming country. Please give way to trucks, tractors, and combines. That may mean stopping as a group and letting a large combine pass, or it may be as simple as riding in a tight single-file line when an oncoming truck with trailing is approaching. To help alert you to traffic from behind, we recommend a rear-looking radar detector like a Garmin Varia. Also, give a listen to our podcast with a local rancher who talks about the challenges cyclists create for them and how we can be better visitors.
Route Options
Shorter
There are several options to make the route shorter by using some east/west connectors:
- At mile 1.1 go right on Crow Creek Road (paved).
- At mile 9 go right on Bicentennial Road (paved).
- At mile 14.7 go right on Kinney Lake Lane to Front Road.
Longer
An optional start is from the City Park in Joseph. This option adds 13 miles total (7 miles of gravel) and 450 feet of additional gain, and one additional barn at mile 6.3.
- Route: Wallowa Barn Tour (Joseph Start)
- GPX File: Download
- Start Lat/Long: 45.348299, -117.232005
Love Where You Ride! Learn More
The area in and around Joseph is some of the most beautiful in all of Oregon. Rugged mountains, lush valleys. One of the organizations involved in protecting and preserving these lands is the Wallowa Land Trust. We would encourage you to take a look at their work and consider a give back after enjoying some of these special lands.
Videos
The Beauty & Heritage of Wallowa County
Wallowa County is my Paradise
Podcasts
Big, Old Barns! The Wallowa Barn Tour
Learn all about the Wallowa Barn Tour. In this episode, we talk with Jennifer Piper of the Wallowa Chamber of Commerce and Alana Carollo of the Eastern Oregon Visitors Association. Learn how the Barn Tour got started, what you will see. We also talk about two other ways to experience the [...]
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 [...]
Keep it Local! Learn More
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