Winter road trip to Joseph and then on down to Ashland. Crazy? (Pendleton: home, moving)

[blueskywalker]

Hi,
I posted this on the Idaho forum but only got one response.
Maybe i'll have more luck here.
I'm in Blaine County (Idaho, Wood River Valley ... Ketchum / Sun Valley) for a few weeks for family and then i want to do a detour / road-trip on my way back to California.
I want to visit the Wallowa Valley in Oregon and then visit Ashland before i head home.
Assuming 20 from Blaine County to Boise area is clear, what should i do from there?
I'm having a difficult time finding an on-line road map of both western Idaho and eastern Oregon.
I'll get a "real" map when i go out today (hours later .... didn't make it out the door today) but trying to figure things out now.
Am i crazy to do this trip now and to think that i can get to Joseph, OR in the winter?
Is there a passability issue? If so, where and what's that like?
Any guidance, tips, advice, etc. will be much appreciated.

I'm an experienced driver on ice and snow and have an all wheel drive. The one response on the Idaho forum thought that was an important piece of information which i suppose it is. I don't worry about my driving ... it's others that concern me.

[karlsch]

You would take I-84 to La Grande, OR and then drive on Rt 82 to Joseph. Route 82 is well maintained.

https://goo.gl/maps/S3CApeCpzv32

Then you would drive back to La Grande, take I-84 west to I-5 and then drive down to Ashland.

It's a lot of miles and doable, not really a tough drive, unless there is a major snow storm.

[blueskywalker]

Originally Posted by karlsch

You would take I-84 to La Grande, OR and then drive on Rt 82 to Joseph. Route 82 is well maintained.

https://goo.gl/maps/S3CApeCpzv32

Then you would drive back to La Grande, take I-84 west to I-5 and then drive down to Ashland.

It's a lot of miles and doable, not really a tough drive, unless there is a major snow storm.

Thank you.

[redguard57]

Sure, you can get there. But what are you going to do there? I think the trip would be much nicer in the Spring when you can actually get to the cool trails in the Wallowas, etc... If you try to go on any of the hikes, the snow level will get too deep around 4500 feet or so. I guess you could snow-shoe it.

If you're just looking for scenic drives, yes there are maintained roads. Unless it's a snow/ice storm, you should be able to get around.

I might recommend Baker City for actually having a few things you could do during winter.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Maybe OP is considering moving from California to Oregon and wants to take a quick look at areas they are considering. Or they want to stop in and say hi to family. The location choice doesn't make a lot of sense, otherwise.

[blueskywalker]

Originally Posted by redguard57

Sure, you can get there. But what are you going to do there? I think the trip would be much nicer in the Spring when you can actually get to the cool trails in the Wallowas, etc... If you try to go on any of the hikes, the snow level will get too deep around 4500 feet or so. I guess you could snow-shoe it.

If you're just looking for scenic drives, yes there are maintained roads. Unless it's a snow/ice storm, you should be able to get around.

I might recommend Baker City for actually having a few things you could do during winter.

I've wanted to see the Wallowa Valley for many years. It's just one of those places that i want to see. And Ashland is a place that i've thought may be good for me if i decide to leave California.

So, though it would be nice if it was June, i'm in a situation now where it's feasible for me to do it as long as the roads are safe.

And oregonwoodsmoke i'm not sure what you mean when you say, "The location choice doesn't make a lot of sense, otherwise."

[Metlakatla]

You'll be fine, unless, as noted previously, the weather turns bad. I'd watch out for elk on Rt. 82 and probably try to avoid driving at night on that road -- elk are everywhere and more active at nightfall/night/dawn. Stop at the Lostine Tavern for good food and ambiance if you get the chance.

[karlsch]

Originally Posted by blueskywalker

I've wanted to see the Wallowa Valley for many years. It's just one of those places that i want to see. And Ashland is a place that i've thought may be good for me if i decide to leave California.

So, though it would be nice if it was June, i'm in a situation now where it's feasible for me to do it as long as the roads are safe.................

Although it's not the ideal time of year, there is no reason not to do it if you don't mind the driving distance.

Once you get in Oregon a ways, the drive on I-84 to La Grande is picturesque.

If you had time, you could stop at the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center near Baker City.

Oregon Trail Interpretive Center Oregon/Washington BLM

After Joseph, the drive on I-84 from La Grande to Pendleton is nice. Then it's a sort of flat but becomes nice again when you reach the Columbia River Gorge.

Make sure you stop by Multnomah Falls, the parking is right off the Interstate.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Originally Posted by blueskywalker

........And oregonwoodsmoke i'm not sure what you mean when you say, "The location choice doesn't make a lot of sense, otherwise."

Just that the two points are so distant from each other and usually if someone is doing nothing but playing tourist, they would choose more touristy spots as their goal.

[blueskywalker]

Originally Posted by Metlakatla

You'll be fine, unless, as noted previously, the weather turns bad. I'd watch out for elk on Rt. 82 and probably try to avoid driving at night on that road -- elk are everywhere and more active at nightfall/night/dawn. Stop at the Lostine Tavern for good food and ambiance if you get the chance.

Yes. Elk. I've spent a lot of time in Idaho and because of elk i tend to avoid driving at night.
A friend of a friend, some years ago, hit an elk on his motorcycle. He's a young man but now in a nursing home totally paralyzed.