Blue Basin Overlook Trail

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oldandslow
Posts: 175
Joined: August 22nd, 2012, 12:47 pm

Blue Basin Overlook Trail

Post by oldandslow » July 8th, 2018, 10:46 am

Blue Basin is in the Sheep Rock Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument.
Sheep Rock
Sheep Rock.JPG
The trail starts across the road from the John Day River. A short distance up the trail is an interesting rock formation but it just keeps getting better.
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On top of the ridge is the overlook.
Basin from overlook.jpg
There are views into the basin on the trail down.
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It is about a 2 1/2 hour drive from Bend to Blue Basin. We saw one other person on the trail.

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Dave Rappoccio
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Joined: March 9th, 2015, 9:58 am
Location: Portland
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Re: Blue Basin Overlook Trail

Post by Dave Rappoccio » July 9th, 2018, 5:29 pm

I did this with my wife about 4 years ago on an eastern Oregon road trip. It was very hot as there is no cover but it was a great little loop. I think we did it in the reverse direction so we climbed up fast and then had a leisurely walk back around and down.

Did you take the quick trail into the middle of the basin too?

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oldandslow
Posts: 175
Joined: August 22nd, 2012, 12:47 pm

Re: Blue Basin Overlook Trail

Post by oldandslow » July 10th, 2018, 10:58 am

There still isn't much cover but we did not have a very hot day.
We did not take the trail into the basin because we were on a day trip from Sunriver and we wanted to look at the Painted Hills on the way back. Not much walking but nice scenery.Image
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Red Hill.jpg

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