The bottom line is that these are beautiful, unique formations but are a pain in the butt to get to. Make it a trip from Bend or plan to camp in the area, there is no nearby town.
While my dad was visiting in October, we took a drive out to Pendleton to see the underground tour and the town itself. It was good for the one visit but I won't make the trip out there again specifically for Pendleton. It was then the grand plan to make the drive to the John Day Fossil Beds to see the Painted Hills with our end destination in Bend. It's sad to say, that 90% of the drive is dull. However, when you happen upon the start of John Day Fossil Bed, it is even more interesting. This park is huge and we only covered a very small portion. My plan for the next time we explore this area, is to take exit 104 for US 30 East and enter the national monument from the north. It takes 4.5 hours to drive there from Portland, 2.5 hours from Bend. I plan to find a good camping spot in the area so that a second day can be spent there. As for the painted hills, there really aren't any trails. You drive around them, but it is enjoyable to watch them at sunset. There is a trail that you can hike up close and personal to the hills. They look like dry-cracked clay. The reds and yellows really accent each other.
The bottom line is that these are beautiful, unique formations but are a pain in the butt to get to. Make it a trip from Bend or plan to camp in the area, there is no nearby town.
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I moved to the Pacific Northwest in August of 2012. I quickly identified myself as a hiker. I want to document my experiences so that I can refer to them for myself and others to provide the best hiking experience. I also hope to learn more about hiking from others comments and recommendations. Archives
April 2016
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