A Women's RV Forum run by Women RVer's!

I bypassed the Painted Hills Unit of John Day Fossill Beds to go on to the Snake River Hells Canyon. Stopped for the night at a Forest Service campground about 18 miles west of Baker City (Union Creek CG). This is a very nice CG on Phillips Lake and the Forest Service gives a Golden Age discount (OR State Parks do not). I got water and electric for $12.

Site had table, firepit and grill. Lots of nice restrooms.

Really large lake with boat launch and people said the fishing was good.

Just east of Baker City is the National Oregon Trail vistor center. It was the only time that rain interfered and I only got pictures of these wagons from inside the van. Apparently, you can see the ruts of the wagons that crossed the country.

I crossed over into Idaho and followed the Snake River north trying to find the original gorge which is the deepest river-cut gorge in the country (8000 ft in places). A dam had tamed the river and it was wide and calm.

Went all the way to the dam.

And there it was, jet boat and all.

Back-tracked and spent the night at Union Creek again in the same spot as the night before. From there I went on back and picked up hiway 26 to go to the Painted Hills unit.
They are made of layers of claystones from layer after layer of ash, ancient soils and lake beds. Minerals of different colors make up the hills.

















There is a really nice picnic area and restrooms at the entrance to the unit. Hiking trails are in the area.

I'm a campground host in a national forest campground here in Idaho and the rates are without electricty 12.00 with the golden eagle it is 6.00 the electrical sites are 17.00 and 11 with the golden eagle. its surprising the different costs in the different areas.
sheila

Love those painted hills. Thanks for such a nice set of pics and narrative.

Beautiful!!!

WOW! your pictures of the Painted Mountains are gorgeous! Thanks for posting, and looking forward to the next leg....

Taking notes as these are some of the first places I'll probably visit when it's my turn to RV. Thanks, beautiful pics!

wow, I had no idea Idaho looked alot like Arizona, I thought it was thick with
forest and lush like Washington, guess you can tell I've never been to Idaho
Thanks for the pictures

It really depends upon what part of ID you are in where we are for the summer is rivers and trees. The western part of the state is a lot of not trees and rivers.
Except in secluded areas' out side of Boise and to the north is the Sawtooth Mountain (think Sun Valley) and beautiful mountains trees, lakes and rivers. But getting to Boise is a not so pretty area...then you wonder off of it for aways and it can change twin falls is a good example. The panhandle from what I hear is gorgouse and Glacier National Park is also in ID. a state of much diversity out side of St. Antony is the sand dunes...About has something to suit everyone
sheila