From Sandy this trip is 415 miles one way and is a weekend trip. I would leave Friday afternoon and you will have more time for discovery on this fantastic journey. Over Mt Hood and down into Madras and on to Prineville. Just east of town is a big gas station on the left, better gas up here. Now turn southeast towards Post, the geographic center of Oregon. This road from Prineville to Izee is one of the absolute best motorcycle roads in Oregon. It follows the Crooked River and is a high speed course with long sweeping corners and unobstructed views. This is a great time to test your adrenaline pump and make sure it still works - I’ve checked mine on this road many times!

Traffic, what traffic? Look out for cows and enjoy! Gas is available in Post and Paulina. Just past Izee you will hook up with Hwy 395 and head north to Canyon City, John Day and east to Prairie City. In Prairie City lunch is always great at Chucks Little Diner, it’s on the left as you enter town.

In and around John Day BE CAREFUL! Cops are everywhere and the speed limit is 35 for miles around town. Now heading east on Hwy 26 you will be treated with great scenery and more good roads. Gas is available in Unity and you should fill up. Then your next stop is Adrian and the turn into the Owyhee Canyon. This is what this trip is all about. This scenery is unbelievable! Take some time and poke around Owyhee Dam.

This is probably the most architecturally significant dam in the northwest. Out in the middle of nowhere and absolutely stunning! The big concrete ‘donut’ you see is called a GLORY HOLE and is a feature of some dams. For more information see the Owyhee Dam website.