Monday, July 18, 2016

We spent some time cleaning up around the coach and then headed back the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument-Sheep Rock Unit to check out a few more of the areas we previously missed.  First up was the Foree unit.  The dark sky was a nice backdrop for the colorful layers of exposed rock, but first, we had to wait out a quick shower. We were told the color looks best after a rain, so we did not mind the wait.

The rain tends to deepen the colors, but the sun is still needed to bring them out.

We waited patiently for the sun to break through the clouds.  It finally did in quick, but short-lived patches.

A couple of short hikes on the dog-friendly trails took us to several overlooks where erosion has exposed the strange and colorful layers of volcanic ash deposited millions of years ago.

Along the highway, we stopped in front of a house surrounded by flowers.  The lavender color seemed to be a close match for the color in the hills beyond.

I can't even imagine how great it would be to have this view all around you every day! The footprint of the National Park is really very small, most of the area is privately owned and farmed.

Looking up the John Day River at Cathedral Rock.

Cathedral Rock was one of our favorite formations overlooking the John Day River.  The colors were amazing even without the suns help.

Next stop was the Blue Basin.  There was a 3.25-mile loop trail (760 elevation gain) above the basin which I am sure would have been beautiful, but we opted for the much more reasonable 1.3-mile trail dubbed the "Island In Time" (it still had a 220-foot elevation gain).

The Blue Basin Overlook Trail is at least a 3-hour commitment.  We need to work up to that, so we saved that for next time.

The Island in Time trail was just right.  It takes you along the creek bed, so you are looking up at everything.  The Blue Basin Overlook Trail takes you up to the rim so you are looking down from above.

The trail included 13 expanded metal bridges that were very uncomfortable for doggy feet, so Sam had to be carried over each one.

It rained just enough to make puddles here and there in the creek bed.

Green rock makes for green mud.

The layers of volcanic ash have fossilized bones of animals dating back nearly 40 million years.  Each rainfall has the potential to expose a new find, but I was not able to see anything new after today's meager rain. 

We did the trail in cloud cover.  Another hiker told us it was 105 degrees the last time she hiked it.  We definitely counted ourselves lucky.

We sat on a bench at the end of the trail and soaked in the splendor.  The sun broke through and made the colors more vivid.  The trail was washed in sunlight the whole way back.

This has turned out to be a very dog-friendly park.  As long as they stay on the trails, they are welcome.

What a pampered pup!

We called it quits on the hiking around 1:30 and headed back to Dayville with the intention of a late lunch at the Dayville Cafe.  Sadly, they were only open Wednesday thru Sunday so we will have to visit them another time.