The Owyhee Canyonlands: Leslie Gulch

My new favorite place is one of the most beautiful in Oregon: The Owyhee Canyonlands featuring the Owyhee River, Three Forks, Leslie Gulch and many other striking features along the river as it winds through remote southeastern Oregon. This adventure takes us on a drive down through a spectacular 14-mile canyon flanked by majestic rock formations towering up from the steep slopes, often more than 1000’ into the sky. The gravel road ends at Lake Owyhee/The Owyhee Reservoir, a beautiful sight in itself. Join us for an inspiring ride through the canyon and our hike up Timber Gulch through these magnificent formations.

Leslie Gulch intersects with our beloved Oregon Desert Trail, or ODT, about 20 miles from trail's end further up the Owyhee. As Buzzin' Along followers may know, the 780-mile ODT extends eastward from the outskirts of Bend through the eastern and southeastern Oregon desert, traversing several mountain ranges, to the Idaho border.

How did such a beautiful place get such an uninspiring name? It was named for a local rancher, Hiram Leslie, after he was struck by lightning in the canyon in 1882.

It’s not easy to get there, requiring a full day’s travel from Eugene plus over 25 miles of gravel at the end. Pavement is scarce in this corner of the state, so carry at least one spare tire. Even the crudest of cameras will result in spectacular photos. I'm going back next spring for a white water excursion on the Owyhee.

Leslie Gulch, end of road at Lake Owyhee: https://maps.app.goo.gl/LWygVzpZ8hXRw...
Timber Gulch trailhead (unmarked) approximate coordinates: 43.30536276480212, -117.29030665424803

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