Stick a Fork in Me...

[XLR8]

Three Forks

I suppose everyone has that elusive ride; the one they keep trying to do but for one reason or another it never comes together. For me that ride has been out to Three Forks, Oregon.

Since I purchased my Husqvarna a year and a half ago I've wanted to get out there. I've tried several times, but something always gets between me and that mysterious desert place. Last time it was a river created by spring run off that was too deep to cross.  

Today might be different.


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It's only about 120 miles as a bird flies from my doorstep but to get there I have to cross the Owyhee Mountains. We reach about 6700 feet.




I should have taken more pictures while I was riding through the mountains but here we are on the other side about 70 miles from the start. It's high desert.




You don't want to mess yourself up out here. There's nobody around. When you do see people they are country folk and they still wave.  




Reaching the entrance to the decent and I'm like a little kid lost in wonder. Let me tell you that the pictures from my little camera cannot capture how cool this place is. It's absolutely spectacular.




I'm pretty sure God made this place just for me.




Where do those dual tracks go? There's nothing out that way for miles. I'll have to wait for another time to check those out on the other side. This area is just too vast.




At the bottom and looking downstream. The Owyhee River eventually flows into Lake Owyhee, also a very cool place.






Looking upstream. I've no idea where this river originates. I need to check it out on a map.






Exploring the bottom of the gorge. Why is this little bridge here and who uses it? There's not a soul in sight. Just me and the rattlesnakes.






So much water in these gorges out in the middle of nowhere.




It's beautiful, but already it's time to leave. I must come back here.




Back over the Owyhee Mountains and home is down there.




The way home. Not today though. It's still too muddy so I take the main unpaved road down.




The End  

[Mac]

Great pics. One day, I'll have to bring the DRZ out there.

[Nimh]

Great pics. One day, I'll have to bring the DRZ out there.

+1 on both counts.  

[Mrs. DantesDame]

excellent! Looks like you're due for an overnighter  

[DogBoy]

Wow.

[MisterSmooth]

Beautiful stuff, Ron.     You have some great dual-sport country where you live.

Hey, looks like it's summer in Idaho.  It's still 55 and raining in Seattle.  Dammit.

You coming to the WCRM 5.5?

-N.

[XLR8]

Beautiful stuff, Ron.     You have some great dual-sport country where you live.

Hey, looks like it's summer in Idaho.  It's still 55 and raining in Seattle.  Dammit.

You coming to the WCRM 5.5?

-N.

Thanks. This state is full of places to explore.  

I'll be at WCRM .x unless it's in California and then I'll think about it.  

Ashland or Baker would be fun. Hood River is pretty hip too.

[kurtw]

That's awesome. When I was down there before WCRM3.5 I missed the little bridge and didn't go past Three Forks itself. I think there are some hot springs down there somewhere too. It's an incredible, way out-of-the-way spot. Glad you had a great trip.

I have some of the same pictures. Looks  like they've changed the signage

[XLR8]

That's awesome. When I was down there before WCRM3.5 I missed the little bridge and didn't go past Three Forks itself. I think there are some hot springs down there somewhere too. It's an incredible, way out-of-the-way spot. Glad you had a great trip.

I have some of the same pictures. Looks  like they've changed the signage

I like the sign in your pictures better. It's way more dangerous looking!

[JimWilliamson]

Yep - you folks certainly found the road less traveled  

[sagerat]

The hot springs are catty-corner to the bunkhouse at the bottom but across the river.

Looks much better than the time one spring night I went to bed in my tent and awoke to about a foot of fresh snow, then discovered the chains I had bought for my Ford Ranger did not fit.  Ahh, the fun I had.

Dang, now I want to load up the KLR and head over there even though David at Bend Euro Moto keeps whispering TE 610 in my ear any time I show up on the Kawi.  

[R Doug]

gorgeous area.  i hate you.