Colorado to Bend, Or (Baker City, John Day: hotels, house, movie theater)

[GeeGee47]

We are planning to travel by motorcycle this July from central Colorado to Bend, Or. Any suggestions regarding the best way and friendly towns along the way would be much appreciated. Our biggest concern is weather -- rain, wind and temperature. What should we expect?

[PNW-type-gal]

You aren't likely to hit a lot of rain (summer storms are always a possibility, but not a very big one). Are you coming across I-70 or I-80? Headed up I-84 through Idaho or out I-80 to Winnemucca and then north?

[delta07]

If you are coming via Motorcycle I would take the more scenic route through John Day. I can't remember the name of the highway now, but you can look at a map and easily find it.

[karlsch]

Assuming you are coming into Oregon on I-84:

If you are in a hurry, just get on US-20 and ride to Bend.

For a very beautiful ride, first go to Baker City and then ride to Bend. You would be on an Oregon Scenic Byway.

from: baker city, or to: bend, or - Google Maps

Baker City is very motorcycle friendly. It is the home base for a large annual motorcycle rally:

http://www.hellscanyonrally.com/

There are two ways to get to Baker City, the fast way and the unforgettable ride way.

The fastest way is simply ride up I-84. Much, much better is ride from Weiser, ID to Oxbow, OR:

from: Weiser, ID to: oxbow, or - Google Maps

Then take a side trip through part of Hells Canyon, the deepest gorge in the US, to the dam. This is truly a magnificent ride:

from: oxbow, or to: hells canyon dam - Google Maps

Then back to Oxbow and go to Baker City on another Oregon Scenic Byway, another great ride:

from: oxbow, or to: baker city, or - Google Maps

Because of very little traffic, all of these rides are very safe for motorcycles.

[GeeGee47]

Thank you all for your suggestions! Because of your input, we will be changing our route (we were planning to come into Bend on 20) to enjoy the scenery and side trips. We're not set up for camping so will there be any difficulty finding inexpensive places to stay along the way?

[US-Traveller]

Originally Posted by GeeGee47

Thank you all for your suggestions! Because of your input, we will be changing our route (we were planning to come into Bend on 20) to enjoy the scenery and side trips. We're not set up for camping so will there be any difficulty finding inexpensive places to stay along the way?

There might not be any nice places to stay. I would be surprised if you ran into Cockroach Motel. I think you should plan your hotel/motel stays ahead of time. Check out the towns your passing through to see what they offer. Oregon is more rural than Colorado.

[karlsch]

Originally Posted by GeeGee47

Thank you all for your suggestions! Because of your input, we will be changing our route (we were planning to come into Bend on 20) to enjoy the scenery and side trips. We're not set up for camping so will there be any difficulty finding inexpensive places to stay along the way?

Contrary to what US-Traveller says, you won’t have a problem finding reasonably priced, decent lodging in Oregon. You won’t come across any PLEASE SLOW FOR WAGON TRAINS signs, either. Oregon is now a fully modern state.

If you decide to take the scenic route and go through Oxbow, consider taking a jet boat ride through Hells Canyon on the Snake River. Here is the information (including lodging in the area):
Hells Canyon Adventures whitewater rafting

The two other places you would be likely to stay are Baker City and John Day. You can get lodging info from places like hotels dot com.

Some things to see along the way:

Hells Canyon Wilderness

Eagle Cap Wilderness

Oregon Trail Interpretive Center | Oregon/Washington | Bureau of Land Management (BLM) | US Department of the Interior

Sumpter Valley Railway Home

Historic Sumpter Oregon- Sumpter Valley Dredge State Heritage Area

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument (U.S. National Park Service)

There will be a lot of things to see in the Bend area, also.

[GeeGee47]

[quote=karlsch;8963897]Contrary to what US-Traveller says, you won’t have a problem finding reasonably priced, decent lodging in Oregon. You won’t come across any PLEASE SLOW FOR WAGON TRAINS signs, either. Oregon is now a fully modern state.


Thanks, Karlsch. We live in a similar setting here in Colorado and thought it would be like you said. We are getting very excited about this adventure and all there is to see in Oregon. Suggestions for Bend (our destination) for lodging and "must sees" would be great. Thanks so much!

[PNW-type-gal]

The town of Sisters
Paulina Peak (Newberry Crater)
Crater Lake (about 2 hours south - the Rim Road is supposed to be open the second week in June)
High Desert Museum
Fort Rock
Lava Butte Cinder Cone

Restaurants (note that they've had a lot of closings in Bend and I haven't been there in a couple months):
Blacksmith
Pine Street Tavern
Bend Brewery
Deschutes Brewery
Revere St. Fish House - just a small place that serves great fish tacos.

Hotel:
McMenamin's Old St. Francis - a school converted to a hotel, microbrewery, movie theater and pub/restaurant.

[GeeGee47]

Thanks! Looks like we are going to busy exploring what we have heard is a great town! We are ski instructors at Monarch Mountain and understand Mt. Bachelor is a pretty sweet area. Any comments?