We are off to......: Zumwalt Prairie Preserve & Mt. Howard Tram

Introduction

We are off to.... is our Blog to allow family, friends, and others that are interested to follow us on our extended RV travels.

We aren't full time RVers but like to take extended trips of a month or more as often as we can. We prefer public agency campgrounds like State and National Parks, US Forest Service, etc. We do use some RV Parks if they are the closest or most convenient place to things we want to see or do.

We will attempt to provide information on the various campgrounds we stay in, things to do in the area, and pictures of what we see.

Wednesday, June 13, 2018

Zumwalt Prairie Preserve & Mt. Howard Tram

Tuesday Linda and I went out to see Zumwalt Prairie Preserve. It is about 30 miles out of Joseph, OR with about half of that on gravel roads. We had been out to it a few years back but the wildflowers were past their peak.

For more information on the preserve see: https://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/regions/northamerica/unitedstates/oregon/placesweprotect/zumwalt-prairie.xml?src=sea.awp.prnone&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIr8qF5JbS2wIVkbfsCh2oCAEREAAYASAAEgIfy_D_BwE

On the drive out we passed ranch lands with some hay crops then once we left the flatter land it was all pasture/prairie.

Looking back toward the Wallowa Mountains from Joseph, OR

Ranch with forage crops planted.

Beginning of the range/prairie lands. There are some huge ranches in this area.

Trail entrance to a portion of the Zumwalt Prairie. The preserve consists of 33,000 acres covering 55 square miles.

Picture doesn't do the wildflowers justice. The picture in the link is more representative.

All of it is beautiful.

On Wednesday eight of us (Kevin, Pauline, Al, Sheryll, Dave, Marie, Linda & I took the tram to the top of Mt Howard to see the views and have lunch at the grill at the top. The top of the tram is 8150' and the base of the tram is 4370' so the ride up is almost 4000' and it takes quite a while to get to the top. The gondolas are 4 person max and are kind of tight. Most ride up two to a gondola.