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Painted Hills
Painted Hills State Park at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Mitchell, Oregon. Wheeler County.
It is amazing how minerals and volcanic ashes that were deposited 33 million years ago here have reacted with the elements over time, producing some amazing colors on the ground! Yes, I have double checked, what you are seeing in your screen is accurate depiction of the colors on the hills! Quite Amazing!
I am surprised that how little this place is known and how little it is promoted by State of Oregon! Utah has the Arches on their car license plates as background, Australia advertise their Red Rock all over the place, in that sense, this place is virtually unknown!!!
It is a very serene, absolutely quiet and pretty place, naturally colored hills are surrounded by high country desert and mountains. It's hard to believe the colors and that they occurred naturally! Really something to behold! On a funny note, this place could be an ad for Valspur Paint or Home Depot! Haha!
Serenity of this place isn’t broken even in the height of the summer tourist season. This place is virtually unknown. There are no people in the vicinity, one or two sporadic visitors. The weather is really nice here, cool and dry, no humidity and thus no sweat! Hikes here are really easy as the hills are not too steep. The wraparound view is pleasing to the eyes, one can see far and wide and doesn't feel all blocked and covered by giant trees as there are few trees here. It’s an arid area and so is the climate! And the really pleasing quietness, so nice that I didn't feel like interrupting the quietness with the sound of my own breath! Yes, really! It is that calm and quiet! Had I known a bit earlier, I would have come prepared and camped two or three nights here. It's a great place for camping and hiking. Entry is free and abundant places to camp along the road. There is also a Park Ranger Station and Rest Room Facilities near the entrance. This is the drier part of Oregon, on the east side of the Cascades Mountain Range. It is high country desert and Rattlesnake country! So be careful and watch your step! I will definitely come back here, as many times as possible, although currently I am in the East Coast.
For a day trip, you are more comfy and convenient by staying in a larger town, which would be Bend, OR, about 75 miles away from Painted Hills. Mitchell, OR, is the closest town/village (pop. about 140), 9 miles away. Mitchell has 2 motels, very basic but exudes with charm and down home hospitality. They have internet and Satellite TV. But there is NO cell phone reception/signal in this area, so bring along a real GPS!!! Your cell phone's cell tower triangulated GPS service won't work here. Two stores of Mitchell close early (country/village/small town hours) and so does the only Gas station. Get your gas tank of your vehicle filled before you venture in. If you, however, make the effort to come here and visit, trust me, it will be worthwhile and something that you will cherish forever.
Painted Hills
Painted Hills State Park at John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Mitchell, Oregon. Wheeler County.
It is amazing how minerals and volcanic ashes that were deposited 33 million years ago here have reacted with the elements over time, producing some amazing colors on the ground! Yes, I have double checked, what you are seeing in your screen is accurate depiction of the colors on the hills! Quite Amazing!
I am surprised that how little this place is known and how little it is promoted by State of Oregon! Utah has the Arches on their car license plates as background, Australia advertise their Red Rock all over the place, in that sense, this place is virtually unknown!!!
It is a very serene, absolutely quiet and pretty place, naturally colored hills are surrounded by high country desert and mountains. It's hard to believe the colors and that they occurred naturally! Really something to behold! On a funny note, this place could be an ad for Valspur Paint or Home Depot! Haha!
Serenity of this place isn’t broken even in the height of the summer tourist season. This place is virtually unknown. There are no people in the vicinity, one or two sporadic visitors. The weather is really nice here, cool and dry, no humidity and thus no sweat! Hikes here are really easy as the hills are not too steep. The wraparound view is pleasing to the eyes, one can see far and wide and doesn't feel all blocked and covered by giant trees as there are few trees here. It’s an arid area and so is the climate! And the really pleasing quietness, so nice that I didn't feel like interrupting the quietness with the sound of my own breath! Yes, really! It is that calm and quiet! Had I known a bit earlier, I would have come prepared and camped two or three nights here. It's a great place for camping and hiking. Entry is free and abundant places to camp along the road. There is also a Park Ranger Station and Rest Room Facilities near the entrance. This is the drier part of Oregon, on the east side of the Cascades Mountain Range. It is high country desert and Rattlesnake country! So be careful and watch your step! I will definitely come back here, as many times as possible, although currently I am in the East Coast.
For a day trip, you are more comfy and convenient by staying in a larger town, which would be Bend, OR, about 75 miles away from Painted Hills. Mitchell, OR, is the closest town/village (pop. about 140), 9 miles away. Mitchell has 2 motels, very basic but exudes with charm and down home hospitality. They have internet and Satellite TV. But there is NO cell phone reception/signal in this area, so bring along a real GPS!!! Your cell phone's cell tower triangulated GPS service won't work here. Two stores of Mitchell close early (country/village/small town hours) and so does the only Gas station. Get your gas tank of your vehicle filled before you venture in. If you, however, make the effort to come here and visit, trust me, it will be worthwhile and something that you will cherish forever.