“washboardy” at times.
Officially, State Route 27 begins in Prineville at the intersection of
Third and Main streets. Continuing south on the paved, two-lane
highway, you’ll enjoy the rural ambiance as the Crooked River
canyon narrows and hay fields give way to basalt cliffs and rimrock.
A cattleguard at about mile post 12 marks the beginning of public
land and the Chimney Rock segment of the Lower Crooked National
Wild and Scenic River, which was designated in 1988 for its scenic
and other natural values.
Twenty miles from Prineville, the highway crosses the 240-foot
high Arthur R. Bowman dam. Dedicated in 1962, this dam created
Prineville Reservoir, which provides water for irrigation, recreation,
and fisheries.With a storage capacity of 150,000 acre feet of water,
and a surface area of about 3,000 acres when full, this reservoir is
heavily used by recreationists during the summer. Powder Cove – a
boat launching area – is located just south of the dam.
The river is quickly left behind as the road climbs out of the
Crooked River canyon, and suddenly you’re in Central Oregon’s dry,
western juniper-dominated, desert landscape. After a three-mile
descent into the Bear Creek drainage, a major tributary of the
Crooked River, and a mile after crossing the creek – the pavement
ends at mile post 28.
The rest of the journey is through true High Desert backcountry.
The winding gravel road – now less traveled than its paved
predecessor to the north – cuts through riparian areas along Bear
Creek and through seemingly-endless western juniper woodland.
Though most of the trees are younger – as an unintended result of
historic land management practices and weather patterns – old-
growth patriarchs are numerous, both along the highway and high
on their rocky crags.
The highway gradually begins to ascend out of the Bear Creek
drainage, and at only five miles from U.S. 20, you’re suddenly thrust
into the beautifully-stark landscape of the sagebrush grasslands.
Stop and enjoy the view – you can see for miles. Listen to . . . nothing.
On a windless, hot summer day, the flying insects provide the only
sound. Look above and see hawks riding the thermals high in the
sky.
At last (or all too soon) the Byway joins Highway 20 between
Bend and Burns. Take a right, and Bend is less than 35 miles away.
Take a left, and you’ve got a major drive in front of you. Or, you might
turn around. A second trip along the Lower Crooked River Back
County Byway can be even better than the first.
Ronjos Inc.
Locally Owned
Dealer
250 NE 3rd St. • 541-447-5128
M-F 9:30 - 6:00 • Sat. 9:30 - 5:00
Cellular phones • Electronic Needs • C.B.
Legal Documents • Office Supplies • Batteries
Telephones • Computer Accessories
Most major credit cards welcome
COMPLETE RV CARE
• Service • Repair
• Parts Store • Propane
• Secure Fenced Yard
• RV Dump Site Open 24/7
Workhorse Service Center
1677 NW Gardner Rd. • Prineville
541-416-0169
Mon.-Fri. 8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
THINGS TO DO 2013 • 39
★
Jeans
★
Boots
★
Bags
★
Jewelry
★
Accessories
★
Formal Wear
★
Wardrobe Consulting
★
Consignments
bottoms, boots, bags, & bling
361 SW 6th St.
•
Redmond
•
541-788-0193
Offering more options with new and gently used women’s
clothing in a boutique setting. From casual to formal wear.
Photo courtesy of Jennifer Lewis Photography
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