This ride is around 112 miles depending on where you start. You’ll be heading out of town on HWY 7 to Sumpter. This should be your breakfast stop, with great food at the Elkhorn Saloon. There is quite a bit to do and see in Sumpter. This is the home of the Sumpter Valley Railroad and the Sumpter Dredge. Both of these are directly from the Gold Rush era in Sumpter during the late eighteen hundreds. Now besides the Gold Rush stuff, Sumpter is also the antique capital of Baker County with shops on both sides of Main Street.
Next stop is Granite. This is now virtually a ghost town compared to it’s past glory with a gold rush population of 5,000. Granite was first settled on July 4, 1862. Granite was named for the prevailing rock in the region. The buildings are vacant and most in a stage of near collapse. The city had a population of 45 in 1930, 86 in 1940, 40 in 1950, and two in 1960. Although electrical service, provided by a local power plant on Clear Creek, and telegraph and later telephone lines were operational in the early days, they fell out of use and were abandoned after World War II. Modern telephone service was extended to Granite in the year 2000. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 24, up from its population of 10 in 1990. It is the second-smallest (according to population) incorporated city in Oregon, after nearby Greenhorn, which has a population of zero. Snoop around town and I guarantee you’ll find some interesting history. Oh, and be sure and bring your camera. The road from Granite to Anthony Lakes is one of Oregon’s great motorcycle roads. The views are stunning and there should be NO traffic, so have fun. Check our web site before the rally because in early June it is possible that this road may be closed by snow. Last year it opened the week before the rally and was a great ride. Coming down into North Powder the road is not too good with loose gravel and potholes so be careful. It’s not terrible, just be careful. Now take a right on HWY 30 and head into Haines, home of the Haines Steak House and the Frontier Tavern. Many bikers have come to feel right at home in either of the fine establishments and you will too! From Haines it’s only 11 miles to Baker City.
Looks like a great ride, perfect in length, between the coming and the going home rides. I’ll keep a good thought for NO SNOW there by HCMR time! Being a week later this year should help a little…
I have ridden the part of this ride from Baker City to the turn off for Sumpter. That is great ride by itself. Lots of short and long open curves through some beautiful country. I am looking foward to do the rest of the ride this summer at the HCMR!!