Winter 2010

Outdooregon
Oregon Living
backcountry
Central Oregon
Get Away from it All at Elk Lake
A winter excursion into Elk Lake Resort (elklakeresort.net) in
the Central Oregon Cascades can mean any number of things: a
cross-country ski adventure, a snowmobile outing or a cozy snow
cat ride. No matter how you travel the scenic
11-mile route from Dutchman Flat Sno-
Park into the snowbound resort, it ends in a
winter wonderland of comfy cabins ($199 to
$379 a night depending on the cabin) and a revamped lodge serving
hearty American cuisine. The resort is an ideal base camp for
winter recreation, whether it's exploring the backcountry, crosscountry
skiing the groomed 7-mile Elk Lake Loop or touring via
snowmobile (available for rent at the resort). But while there's no
shortage of things to do at Elk Lake Resort, part of its appeal is the
luxury to do nothing.
The historic lodge at Elk
Lake serves hearty meals
at a communal table.
alpine/nordic skiing
Eastern Oregon
Lose the Crowds at Anthony Lakes
Don’t let the word “resort” fool you. Anthony Lakes Ski Resort (anthonylakes.com),
located 35 miles northwest of Baker City, is one
of the more beautiful, isolated and uncrowded ski areas around.
What it lacks in on-site lodging and dining,
it makes up for in family-friendly skiing
and champagne powder. Open Thursdays
through Sundays and most holidays, the 21-
run resort has one triple chair, a hand tow and a wonder carpet
for youngsters. Tickets cost $39 for adults and $10 for kids six and
younger. Guided snowcat skiing is available for $199 per person per
day. Anthony Lakes also boasts 33 kilometers of gorgeous groomed
Nordic trails for all levels of classic and skate skiers ($13). North
Powder is the closest town, 19 miles away, but we recommend driving
the extra 15 miles to the historic Geiser Grand Hotel (geisergrand.com)
in Baker City and kicking back at the award-winning
Barley Brown’s Brewery (barleybrowns.com).
Photo Jon Tapper
Ride the Steelhead Train
Fishermen have called this an epic, record-breaking season for
steelheading. The summer count of steelhead crossing the Bonneville
Dam on the Columbia River was the largest run ever recorded.
Grab your fly-rod and hop on the Steelhead
steelhead fishing
Eastern Oregon
Train in northeast Oregon, in the heart of the
Columbia Basin. Now in its sixth season, the
1950s-era, self-propelled, 52-seat train car,
which runs on Saturdays and Sundays in February and March, departs
from the Minam Motel and Market in Minam and shuttles
a maximum of 40 anglers hole to hole along a 10-mile Wild and
Scenic stretch of the Wallowa River. Catching fish isn’t guaranteed,
but an experienced guide is on board to help. Book a ticket through
Minam Motel (minammotel.com) – $75 full day or $40 half day.
The train also carries additional non-angling passengers for a scenic
ride. The quaint and convenient eight-room Minam Motel has
some kitchenette rooms, but many passengers opt to sleep and dine
in La Grande or Enterprise.
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