Hey everyone.... this thread is reserved for planning the OAS2021 trip from Walla Walla to the Alvord Desert, using the Oregon Backcountry Discovery Route as a conduit.
Trip dates are August 13-22, starting at Quirk Brewing in Walla Walla WA on the afternoon of August 13.
Check back for more trip details. I'm modifying the route a bit from OAS2020 to avoid some of the 'fun' OHV routes we used (and were abused by). The trip has a full roster, but I'm certain a few people will back out, so if you're interested in joining us this year, send me a PM and I'll add you to our waitlist.
-Scott
OAS2021 is cancelled. If you signed up for the OAS2021 trip, I just emailed you the details on the August 13-22 2021 GSENM2021. I hope everyone can make it down to Utah !
Same here, Scott. Please add me to the email list.
Plans are forming up - I'm going to assemble the Escalante Staircase ideas and sent the tracks we've been discussing to the folks on our email list that have signed up for the trip and have expressed interest in Escalante.
A possible change of meet-up could be Craters of the Moon just North of Blackfoot Idaho on Saturday August 14th. Then drive down to Escalante together on Sunday.
I agree with Dumptruck T4R. Colorado too far but Utah doable. Plus we want to go with them to Colorado so we can soil our trousers together on Black Bear Pass.
Colorado is a bridge too far for this one for me. Bobbee won't be going on this one and we'd really like to do Colorado together. Mostly so I can terrify her on Blackbear and Engineer. 😂😂😎 Grand Staircase - Escalante and other points in Utah are very doable though. Excited.
Serious consideration is being given to a proposed route in Escalante UT....stay tuned
You're not wrong there, Scott. The USFS closed portions of the Nez Perce just last night.
The CO Alpine Loop area around Silverton is stunning. We've done a few of the routes; Engineer, Cinnamon, Black Bear etc. Would definitely leave the trailer at home though due to the steep portions & number of hairpin switch-backs -- and the amount of Jeep/quad/side-by-side rental traffic out of Silverton/Ouray. Lots of first-timers on those roads.
What about the Idaho BDR, or a portion of it, Scott? At 1250 miles, a full traverse might be a bit ambitious. We've never run it so can't provide any info about the route unfortunately.
Here's a screenshot of what I had put into Gaia. Still needs work, plot potential camp sites, other areas of interest and plan an actual route, but its a start.
@sean I'd love to hear some details about your Colorado Alpine loop
Bummer! Totally down for Utah, but have never been. I'm still in regardless of the destination. Another idea... Alpine loop in Colorado and other area trails? I started planning that trip before Covid and have routes planned.
Hey everyone - big news, and not so good news: As of July 16 2021, the ENTIRE Umatilla National Forest is completely closed to all recreational users. This basically eliminates our ability to use the Oregon BDR from Walla Walla to around La Grande. Additionally, fires in the Blue Mountains and points further South have closed intermittent and unpredictable forest road closures in Central Oregon around Burns and perhaps further South in Steens Mountain.
Here is the closure order for the entire Umatilla Forest
https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/umatilla/home/?cid=fseprd932162
I'm working on some back-up trip ideas now, as I think Summer travel in North East, South East and Central Oregon are going to be very difficult to plan this year.
So I'm opening the floor to ideas - we have a group of travelers assembled and folks have taken time off from work and spent money on building capable vehicles - let's do a trip !
Some ideas I have
The Canadian border will open to vaccinated Americans in mid-August, so that may be too early to plan a trip up there for mid-August
Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument - Hole in the Rock Road and other trails in the area
Let's hear your ideas !
Scott
Thanks for the update, Scott!
Danno
Just an update to the trip route - I've been reviewing our GPX track from last year. My plan this year is to avoid the OHV trail sections that bogged us down in 2020. If you plan on towing a small single axle trail-worthy trailer with some articulation, you should not have a problem in 2021. We will recycle some of the favorite campsites from 2020 - The Hogsback Bluff campsite, Oriental Creek and the amazing creekside camp up on Steens Mountain that we found. I'd also like to work in a run down to Willow Hot Springs once we get down on the desert floor later in the week. Milk shakes in Fields Station, of course. Hit me up with any other ideas ! I'll send out the updated GPX file by email to the folks on the trip roster a couple of weeks before we leave.
Sweet! Looking forward to this. Praying for no wildfires!
Dan
Sounds great! Sent you an email. Best, Blaine