Skip to main content

Oregon State Route 31

Image
By

 

OR 31 is a 120-mile-long state route stretching between Valley Falls and LaPine in Oregon's Outback, a region of high desert terrain east of the Cascades in the central, southern, and eastern regions of Oregon. Also known as the Fremont Highway, OR 31 connects US 395 north of Lakeview with US 97 south of Bend in a southeast-northwest direction, passing by the towns of Silver Lake, Summer Lake, and Paisley along the way. Oregon State Route 31 became part of the state route system in Oregon in 1932 and has remained on its original route ever since, serving as a key cog for travel around different parts of Oregon.

The Oregon Outback Scenic Byway follows OR 31 through the state route's entire length, as it passes by memorable terrain and landscapes. Along the way, you'll pass by Summer Lake, which is a long, shallow alkaline lake that has depths of 4 to 5 feet and is a rest stop for migrating birds migrating along the Pacific Flyway. Summer Lake sometimes dries up completely but tends to fill up more than the other basin along OR 31, Silver Lake, which tends to only fill up with water about once every thirty years. Near Paisley, you will find a local hot spring along with pastures for one of the largest cattle ranches in the country. Plus some of the traces of the earliest human history can be found along OR 31, including the earliest known footwear found in the world, sandals made from sagebrush bark that is at least 9,300 years old.

OR 31 is a fun drive and I found it to be both scenic and unique. Plenty of mountains along the road can be seen to keep the terrain interesting. There were a lot of surprises too. I saw some old buildings along the way that looked like they were from a bygone era. Trying to see the other side of Summer Lake kept me occupied as well. With that, I present to you a photographic journey along OR 31.

OR 31 splits off from US 395, as US 395 makes its long journey towards Burns, Oregon.

The first few miles of OR 31 treats us to hay fields and pasture lands for cattle for the Z X Ranch, one of the largest cattle ranches in the United States with over one million acres of land.

OR 31 is part of the Oregon Outback Scenic Byway.

Right now, OR 31 is heading in a generally east-west orientation. While the highway runs from southeast to northwest, the topography calls for the highway to go north-south or east-west at times.

Hitting our first big curve, compliments of the upcoming hills.

OR 31 has a number of farms and barns along the way, or really, ranches.

Rolling through the small city of Paisley, Oregon. Established in 1870 and incorporated in 1911, Paisley is known for its Mosquito Festival the last weekend of July every year.

Blink, and you'll miss Paisley, pretty quickly I may add. Back to the wide open expanses of the high desert already.

Plus we get our first glimpses of Summer Lake, a shallow lake that completely dries up from time to time. Summer Lake is known for its hot springs, outdoor recreation opportunities, and birding at the Summer Lake Wildlife Area.

I think there may be a little snow on top of that mountain. I took the photos on November 1, and sure enough, there was some snow left over from storms the week before.

I really enjoyed the quiet nature of a cruise down OR 31.

A few houses and barns dotting the landscape near Summer Lake.

Summer Lake is pretty expansive itself. 

Some houses and barns, but OR 31 stretches as far as the eye can see.

OR 31 hugs near the southern and western shore of Summer Lake.

I seem to have encountered a car in front of me. The driver was going pretty fast, so I just followed along.

One last glimpse of Summer Lake.

But because there are enough water sources in the area around Summer Lake, irrigation is possible.

There is also the Ana Reservoir nearby, which I am guessing retains water better than Summer Lake.

The landscape becomes wide open again after passing the Summer Lake area.

Maybe an old church or an old school along OR 31.

I believe that is more ranch land out in the distance.

Turnoff for some wildlife viewing coming up ahead.

An old barn in the distance. It kind of looks dilapidated.

Starting the climb to Picture Rock Pass, which is the highest point of OR 31 at 4,830 feet above sea level. There are also some ancient petroglyphs located within walking distance of OR 31, which is how the pass got its name.

A view of the terrain below.

Picture Rock Pass is actually located alongside the mountain ahead.

At Picture Rock Pass, you can start to see some of the Cascades in the far distance.

Around the top of Picture Rock Pass.

Descending from Picture Rock Pass, OR looks like it goes on for miles and miles (and it does).

A mesa that I was able to spot in the distance along OR 31.

Silver Lake, Oregon. Silver Lake was founded during the 19th Century and is home to the Cowboy Dinner Tree, which is a restaurant that offers an interesting ranch-style dining experience. The restaurant started as a chuck wagon to feed hungry ranchers herding cattle.

We're definitely still in the Oregon Outback, although I wish I could have stayed in Silver Lake for some cowboy dinner.

Next stop is La Pine, still 49 miles away.

Grazing lands as far as the eye can see, but starting to see thicker amounts of evergreen trees such as ponderosa pines in the distance.


Some of the Cascades are also coming into better focus in the distance. On a clearer day, I bet you can see a lot more of the mountains.

Soon, the fields of sagebrush will give way to forest.

Upon reading about Fort Rock, I should have made a detour to see it. Fort Rock is an ancient volcanic crated that rises 325 feet out of the plain like a desert mirage. Fort Rock is a national natural landmark and state park that takes its name from the high rock walls that form an open circle, making it have a fort-like appearance. It’s actually the ring of an ancient volcanic crater that was set in a shallow sea. Humans have occupied Fort Rock for over 10,000 years and the first sandals ever made were discovered at Fort Rock.

There's a snow zone sign lurking behind that OR 31 shield. During winter weather, the sign can reveal if chains are required for travel.

But only pockets of snow can be found along the road as we have entered the towering ponderosa pine era of OR 31.

While most of OR 31 travels through Lake County, the highway clips the northeast corner of Klamath County, before ending its journey with a brief jaunt into Deschutes County.

Winding down with the last few miles of OR 31.

Approaching the end of OR 31 at US 91, about two miles south of La Pine, Oregon, the gateway to Newberry Crater, home of the Newberry National Volcanic Monument.

OR 31 ENDS! at US 97. From here, you can go south towards Crater Lake and Klamath Falls. To the north, US 97 takes you to Bend and Central Oregon. Hopefully you enjoyed the virtual journey along OR 31 as much as I enjoyed driving the road.


Sources and Links:
ORoads - Oregon Route 31
Travel Oregon - Oregon Outback Scenic Byway
TripCheck.com - The Oregon Outback Scenic Byway

Return to: Gribblenation / Oregon? Absolutely!

Labels

Labels:
Location: Oregon, USA

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Former US Route 50 and the Pioneer Route Lincoln Highway on Johnson's Pass Road

By
Johnson's Pass Road is one of the oldest highway corridors in California.  Johnson's Pass was part of the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road as it was completed during 1856 over the Sierra Nevada.  The pass would later be incorporated into the Pioneer Branch of the Lincoln Highway in 1913 and US Route 50 in 1926.  Johnson's Pass Road would be bypassed by a new alignment of US Route 50 over Echo Summit in 1938.  A replacement of the Meyers Grade east of Johnson's Pass would be opened to traffic in 1947.   Johnson's Pass Road remains accessible to traffic and is still signed by the Lincoln Highway Association.  Pictured as the blog cover is the view from the top of Johnson's Pass Road overlooking modern US Route 50 and Lake Tahoe.   Part 1; the history of Johnson's Pass Much of the history of what become the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road is discussed in the  September 1950 California Highways & Public Works  during its Centennial Edition.  The or...
Post a Comment
Read more

Former US Route 50 and the South Lincoln Highway from Folsom east to Placerville

By
The corridor of Folsom of Sacramento County east to Placerville of El Dorado County has been a long established corridor of overland travel dating back to the California Gold Rush.  The Folsom-Placerville corridor was once part of the path of the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road which became the first California State Highway and later the South Lincoln Highway.  In time the South Lincoln Highway's surface alignment was inherited by US Route 50.  The Folsom-Placerville corridor also includes the communities of; Clarksville, Shingle Springs and El Dorado. Part 1; the history of the Lake Tahoe Wagon Road, South Lincoln Highway and US Route 50 through Folsom-Placerville Folsom is located on the American River/Lake Natoma of eastern Sacramento County.  That lands now occupied by the City of Folsom were part of Rancho Rio de los Americanos prior to the finding of gold at Sutter's Mill during 1848.  During the California Gold Rush the lands of Rancho Rio de los Americanos were p...
Post a Comment
Read more

Old NC 10 - The Central Highway: Old Fort to Black Mountain through the Royal Gorge

By
A unique way of tracing the remnants of the Central Highway is through the mountainous terrain of Eastern Buncombe and Western McDowell Counties.  From the east on US 70, you reach the base of Blue Ridge Mountains at the town of Old Fort.  Old Fort is a tiny rail town that the old Central Highway and now US 70 goes through.  The Central Highway can be followed via a right onto Mill Creek Road from US 70.  Follow the highway as it takes you closer to the mountains.  When Mill Creek Road bears right to head towards Andrews Geyser stay straight until the road ends at a gate.  The nearby Piney Grove Church can be used for parking.  At this point, the old Central Highway began a 3.5 mile climb of the mountain to Swannanoa Gap.  NC 10 and later US 70 travelers followed this road for over 30 years until a new and modern four lane US 70 was built to the south.  This same four lane road would eventually become Interstate 40.    The Centra...
Post a Comment
Read more