Day trip to Leslie Gulch, OR

Last year a camper couple told us we should check out Leslie Gulch just south of Boise and barely into Oregon.
Last Wed the weather was cooler but still pretty nice so we took off. You take Hwy 95 south out of Boise and then turn onto a gravel road at the Leslie Gulch signs. 3 or 4 miles later you cross into Oregon. It's about 15 miles to Leslie past an active one room school in Rockville, OR. The school is the only building in Rockville. This is all ranch country as you wind over big grassy hills and then you see the beginning of LG.

The gulch continues for 9 spectacularly scenic miles and ends at a reservoir on the Owyhee river. The cliffs close in on the road gradually and every curve reveals a new formation.

We weren't aware that there was a natural formation honoring the cartoon character Snoopy but sure as hell there it was.

It was lunch time so we sat on the leeward side of the truck and munched on our sandwiches and thought about Snoopy.

We started driving on toward the reservoir. The formations are unique and they definitely rival the stuff we saw down in southern Utah.

We made it to the reservoir where there is a boat launch and a camp ground. No problem getting a camper in here just be extra careful at the low water crossings and don't try it if there is any threat of bad weather.

We found a side trail up Juniper wash and decided to explore.

We walked in about a mile and the stuff to see was awesome. I went up a narrow little slot canyon that dead ended. You wouldn't want to be in here if there was any chance of thunderstorms.

We didn't know that the area had been a seashore in geologic times. We also didn't know that waves could be petrified but again, sure as hell there one was.

We made it back to the truck and headed out stopping and gawking at the amazing natural rock art.

This was a great day trip. Only 75 miles from our house. We only saw one rancher guy on the road. He was pretty obvious as he was doing at least 60 mph which didn't really bother me but his empty stock trailer was fishtailing like hell and that did get my attention.
Well it may be the last trip of the year but it's a good one to remember.

Every year day trip.