Some people may say its nonsense, but when I travel east and north, out of Oregon and into Washington/Idaho/Montana territory, I don’t follow Interstate 84 to Oregon’s border. Yes, it’s faster. Yes, it has four lanes of really fast traffic, straight as a pin. But meet me instead on Highway 730 any time.
Irrigon
Highway 730 cuts an angle off I84 just past Boardman, veering away from Westland/Hermiston and heading directly for Umatilla. I’ve eaten the best nectarine of my life at a roadside fruit stand on this little twig of a highway. Reeds from the Columbia River push against the land, hiding all manner of bugs and birds and unseen wildlife. The little burg of Irrigon (population 1,910) sits midway between the start of Highway 730 and its intersection with the mighty Interstate 82, which takes travelers due north, out of Oregon and into southeastern Washington. In this little hot spot you’ll find a park by the river, a marina, wildlife area, heritage trail and a few places for coffee and eats. Don’t blink, though, or wait to find a stoplight. You’ll miss it.
Boardman
Backtracking for just a moment: Before you hit the 730, stop at C&D Drive-In and Bakery in Boardman for a great hamburger and milkshake. It’s not fast food – thankfully! – so you’ll wait a few minutes, but you’ll be so glad you did. I make C&D’s a mandatory stop on each trip I take.
Hermiston
While you’re in northeast Oregon, if you’ve got some extra time on your hands, you might want to kick around the Hermiston area. Famous for its watermelons, Hermiston also hosts the Umatilla County Fair and Farm City Pro Rodeo, which is recognized nationally as one of the finest pro rodeos in the country.
Hermiston also makes a great base camp from which to enjoy water sports – boating, swimming, fishing and wind surfing – on the Columbia River. In the fall, hunters seek out pheasant, goose, duck and quail in the Hermiston area. Photographers find tremendous scenic and wildlife opportunities at the Cold springs National Wildlife Refuge.
Lake Wallula
Nearby Hat Rock State Park on Lake Wallula - offers picnicking, hiking, fishing, camping, wildlife viewing, waterskiing, jetskiing, swimming and boating.
Cold Springs Reservoir
Four miles east of Hermiston, Cold Springs Reservoir is an integral part of Cold Springs National Wildlife Refuge. The refuge serves as a resting and feeding ground for migrating waterfowl and is home to an abundance of wildlife, including hawks, bald eagles, mule deer, pheasant, and quail, and it's popular with hunters, wildlife enthusiasts, and photographers. Characteristic of a low-elevation lake, the banks are dense with willow brush and overhanging cottonwood trees. Submerged logs and other debris make this perfect habitat for large, solitude-seeking warm-water species such as white and black crappie, brown bullheads, largemouth bass, carp, and perch. Source: GoFISHn.com.
Google Map
Oregon Lakes & Rivers photo essay, “Shelter from the Storm,” on National Wildlife Refuges in Oregon. (Photo left by Alyssa Henry)
Cold Springs National Wildlife Refuge
In the arid and seasonally cold desert of northeastern Oregon, an oasis for wildlife has appeared where water and desert mingle. The 3,117 acre Cold Springs Refuge consists of rich and diverse wetland habitats surrounded by upland habitat of big sagebrush and native steppe grasses.
A riparian component of willow and cottonwood provides refuge for birds, mammals, and other animals in this unique desert environment. Located in Umatilla County near Hermiston, Oregon, the refuge was established in 1909 as a preserve and breeding ground for native birds.
Management has broadened to include conservation and restoration of native habitat and species characteristic to this desert ecosystem. Refuge wetlands support large numbers of wintering waterfowl while adjacent riparian habitat supports a rich abundance of songbirds and healthy populations of western mule deer and desert elk. Refuge visitors have easy access to this popular refuge for hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching.
The Cold Springs National Wildlife Refuge is part of the Mid-Columbia National Wildlife Refuge Complex, which is comprised of eight refuges (Columbia, Cold Springs, Conboy Lake, McKay, McNary, Saddle Mountain, Toppenish and Umatilla) and one national monument (Hanford Reach). Getting There: From Highway 395 in Hermiston take Highland Hills Road east, which turns into Loop Road. The refuge is approximately six miles from Hermiston.
