Vale, OR beta needed

[char]

Looks like I might be spending my summer out in Vale, OR. I know it's the desert and semi-close to Boise but other than that I have no idea what is going on out there. Has anybody worked there, passed through, done anything interesting there?

[Buster Highmen]

Head up to Halfway, OR, southern access to the Wallowas. You will need to find these places to cool out. Also, head up towards the Elkhorns and Strawberries.

[iceman]

Looks to be pretty much in the middle of nowhere. Here's some data beta.

[char]

Guess I should provide a little more info about what I know....

1) I know where it is.
2) I know it's desert, hot and has lots of lightning fires.
3) The Snake River is around there somewhere.


I'm looking for info on recreation on my off days. Close hiking (IE- Wallowa's, Blues, etc). Good spots for fishing, biking, etc.

[Viva]

http://shop.gorp.com/images/book_covers/125/17706.jpg

[Buster Highmen]

Halfway, then up to Cornucopia is the best access to the S. side of the Wallowas (Eagle Cap Wilderness). It's a ghost town with beautiful Peak above it to the W. There's a Pine Creek up there that has good fishing with tinier feedsd like Horse Creek. There's a hell of a hike to get over that ridge, but it's really worth it.

http://www.cornucopiapackstation.com

There's some campgrounds there and on another fs road to the W. but I couldn't tell you the name. Besides, I wouldn't want to wreck your fun of exploration.

Further W. there's the Strawberries and N. or that the Elkhorns. The Strawberry Peak Wilderness is right there, but I've never been in, just drove by. There's a big reservoir a bit N of there, closer to the Elkhorns called Phillips Reservoir, I think. Lots of camping, great fishing and hiking. There's some old mining camps and some funky steam train that runs there and a big old Hotel with hot springs.

La Grande is OK, has some hip places. If you have the time, go over to Enterprise and Joseph on the N. side of the Wallowas. Hurricane Creek and Wallowa Lake are worthy trailheads. It will take you about 4 days to hike from Joseph S. to Cornucopia, but you will lose your heart and mind to the beauty.