Suggestions Requested -- For After John Day

[brenwin]

Now there's a thought.  I've got the passport and don't carry a fire arm on my person (whatever that means) and my wife and I have always met nice people and had good times while north of the border.  It looks like some research is needed.  Thanks for the input.

 What Canuck says is true ! Some of the best riding and scenery ever in Southern BC . I think it's a best kept secret , just very little traffic and lots of places to camp . The ride to Nakusp alone is worth the visit and you sure can't beat the dollar value right now .
See you in John Day .

Steve

Steve

[ChuckH]

What Canuck says is true ! Some of the best riding and scenery ever in Southern BC . I think it's a best kept secret , just very little traffic and lots of places to camp . The ride to Nakusp alone is worth the visit and you sure can't beat the dollar value right now. See you in John Day. Steve 

The plan is to head north from John Day and stay up there for the next few days, need to get back to Prineville, OR on 7/1 so I can hide over the Holiday Weekend.  I've been communicating with the Visitor Office in Grand Forks, BC.  Will stop there and pick up maps and other info. 

Is there a campground in Grand Forks that I can use for that night?  Also, do I have to reserve camping in the Nakusp area?  TIA.

[Kiwi_Roy]

John Day to Leweston through Snake Canyon and don't forget to do the old Wagon road in Lewiston, both ways, the name escapes me.

Grand Coulie Dam, Winthrop, cross the border at Nighthawk (tiny crossing) then Grand Forks (we have a Guzzi member there)
 

[brenwin]

The plan is to head north from John Day and stay up there for the next few days, need to get back to Prineville, OR on 7/1 so I can hide over the Holiday Weekend.  I've been communicating with the Visitor Office in Grand Forks, BC.  Will stop there and pick up maps and other info. 

Is there a campground in Grand Forks that I can use for that night?  Also, do I have to reserve camping in the Nakusp area?  TIA.

I'll do some research Chuck and get back . 

Steve

[Tom]

No firearms north of the border.  You might want to carry a can of wasp spray for bears also if the Canadian border officials have a link to NCIC.  If you had a DUI/DWI.  You may not be granted entry.  If you non-white, you'll be raked over the coals before entry.

I was on a day loop with 2 white friends.  The Canadian officials "checked" me out on the way in and the Americans did "their thing" on re-entry.  Needless to say I won't go into Canada or try re-entry into the U.S. on the ground.  Mexico, okay going in.  More of a hassle on the U.S. Port of Entry to re-enter.  "Yes officer, I speak English."

[Cross-tie Walker]

Get yourself a Rose City Motorcycle Club "Grand Tour" Booklet. They change up the small towns every year and will include probably 90% of all the great roads mentioned here enroute to a cafe or other point of interest "checkpoint" where you get a rubber stamp in your booklet. Open from April 1 to September 30 it is an awesome way to see and ride roads and little towns you would have not necessarily ever done. Check them off in any order any anyway you see fit to go. Info at:

http://www.rose-city-mc.org/RCFrameset.html

see ya in Jonn Day!

[ChuckH]

I'll do some research Chuck and get back . Steve 

Steve,

Thanks for your assistance.  At the present time I'm looking for a camping location for that night in Grand Forks, BC.  After that, I'll be up north for a few days.  Looking forward to your info.

Chuck

[pehayes]

You could head a few hours west and drop in at the little town of Antelope.  In the 80's it was briefly renamed Rajneeshpuram when taken over by a spiritual commune.  Some of you may be too young to remember.  We visited when the National Rally was in Prineville.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rajneeshpuram

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA

[ChuckH]

No firearms north of the border.  You might want to carry a can of wasp spray for bears also if the Canadian border officials have a link to NCIC.  If you had a DUI/DWI.  You may not be granted entry.  If you non-white, you'll be raked over the coals before entry.

I was on a day loop with 2 white friends.  The Canadian officials "checked" me out on the way in and the Americans did "their thing" on re-entry.  Needless to say I won't go into Canada or try re-entry into the U.S. on the ground.  Mexico, okay going in.  More of a hassle on the U.S. Port of Entry to re-enter.  "Yes officer, I speak English." 

Wow!! This sounds serious.  OK, I don't carry firearms, so that's not a problem.  As far as a can of spray for bears, is this really required if I'm overnighting in the cities??  If so, I may stay south of the border.   Don't understand the link to NCIC.  No DUI/DWI convictions/arrests as of yet.  At 82 years of age, I may never get there, although sometimes I try.  Passage into the country should not be a problem.  I was at The National in LaVigne (Ontario) a few years ago without problems.

All for now guys.  Thanks for all of your responses.

[Tom]

From what you said I don't think you'll have any problems.  The wasp spray is if you're staying at an unimproved campground and need bear protection.  There is a pretty cool spot that you can camp at.  Palouse Falls State Park.  You have to pack everything in, they have grassy areas with bathrooms.  Nice ride in and out.

http://www.waterfallswest.com/waterfall.php?id=palouse-falls-franklin-county-washington-606

[brenwin]

Steve,

Thanks for your assistance.  At the present time I'm looking for a camping location for that night in Grand Forks, BC.  After that, I'll be up north for a few days.  Looking forward to your info.

Chuck

Here are a couple of websites that list all the campsites in Grand Forks and Nakusp . www.kootenays.world web.com/GrandForks/Lodging/Campgrounds/  and www.nakusp-bc.worldweb.com/Lodging/Campgrounds/      Best to make contact to reserve as it's going to be a busy tourist year with many visitors from south of the border . If for some reason these don't work please let me know and I'll forward in a different format .          Cheers , Steve

[canuck750]

Toad Rock motorcycle campground in the Ainsworth B.C. area is a fun place to stay and caters especially to motorcycles. I stayed there a couple years ago and booked the VW camper for a night to sleep in.

Ainsworth hot springs are worth visiting and its very close to Nakusp and Nelson B.C.

http://www.toadrockcampground.com/

And... if your bike is at least 30 years old the rate is only $10.00 per night!

[kmartin]

Chuck,

I look forward to seeing you this summer.  A couple years ago I went up for the State rally.  I strongly recommend this loop added to your plans.

Head east to Baker City, it was a good place to spend the night for me.  Then east on 86 and up through Hells Canyon, ending up in La Grande.  After Hells Canyon you can probably continue up toward Lewiston rather than La Grande if you prefer.  I may have a more detailed set of directions if you want.

What ever you come up with, it'll be great.  I've been to John Day twice and did the Deep Forest last summer.  It's a great group of people in Oregon and Washington.  Even the Canucks have been fun.

Keith

[Chuck in Indiana]

Chuck,

I look forward to seeing you this summer.  A couple years ago I went up for the State rally.  I strongly recommend this loop added to your plans.

Head east to Baker City, it was a good place to spend the night for me.  Then east on 86 and up through Hells Canyon, ending up in La Grande.  After Hells Canyon you can probably continue up toward Lewiston rather than La Grande if you prefer.  I may have a more detailed set of directions if you want.

What ever you come up with, it'll be great.  I've been to John Day twice and did the Deep Forest last summer.  It's a great group of people in Oregon and Washington.  Even the Canucks have been fun.

Keith

Speaking of Hells canyon.. I haven't done the spiral highway yet. Any other not to miss roads on the way from the east?
Another Chuck

[wavedog]

If you plan on Lewiston and the old Spiral hiway be sure to take Rattlesnake grade to get there. Its a good ride. I took it from Lewiston south then went thru Hells Canyon. Its a ride that's worth going out of your way for.

[ChuckH]

Chuck,  I look forward to seeing you this summer.  A couple years ago I went up for the State rally.  I strongly recommend this loop added to your plans.

Head east to Baker City, it was a good place to spend the night for me.  Then east on 86 and up through Hells Canyon, ending up in La Grande.  After Hells Canyon you can probably continue up toward Lewiston rather than La Grande if you prefer.  I may have a more detailed set of directions if you want.

What ever you come up with, it'll be great.  I've been to John Day twice and did the Deep Forest last summer.  It's a great group of people in Oregon and Washington.  Even the Canucks have been fun. Keith 

Kevin,

It will be great to see you again, the last time was Ouray, CO in '13 as I recall.  How time flies.  I'll check out the maps when I have a bit more time but your suggestion sounds like a good one.  In the year 2000, I was part of a small bicycle touring group and we actually rode the roads across that part of the State, overnighting in John Day, Baker City and Halfway before going on into Idaho at the Brownlee Dam.  BTW, the founder(s) of Halfway named it that because they thought you were halfway to heaven when you were there.

All for now, need to get ready for Yoga this AM.  Ride safe.

[ChuckH]

Speaking of Hells canyon.. I haven't done the spiral highway yet. Any other not to miss roads on the way from the east?  Another Chuck 

Chuck,

Looking at the Oregon road map (thank you, State of Oregon Tourism Office), to get to Hells Canyon Nat'l Rec Area from John Day, we need to go to Baker City on Hwy 7, then Hwy 86 to about 10 miles past Halfway, then north on an un-numbered road (the color of the road on the map indicates it's paved).  In about 20 miles is the Hells Canyon Overlook.  Then to the north and connect with Hwy 82 towards Joseph, OR followed by Enterprise, OR.  Then north on Hwy 3 in OR, Hwy 29 in WA towards Lewiston.

As far as the Rattlesnake grade, the only thing I find is Rattlesnake Hill but that is 15 miles or so North of Baker City in the direction of LaGrande.  Hwys 203 and 237 straddle it on the way north.

Looks like there are too many good options and not enough time.  Ride safe.

Edit:  An idea of the mileages involved, from MapQuest -- from John Day to Baker City= 81 miles; BC to Halfway= 54 miles; Halfway to Joseph= 72 miles; Joseph to Lewiston, ID= 93 miles.  Total distance is 300 miles, estimated time to travel ~7 Hours.

[travelingbyguzzi]

The Rattlesnake Grade is OR3 which becomes WA129. The Wallowa Mtns area of NE OR is great stuff.