John Day Fossil Beds
(Painted Hills Unit)
NATIONAL MONUMENT
By DIENEKE
John Day Fossil Beds National Monument was the first stop on our One Way Road Trip. I should probably mention now that I consider the National PARKS list separate from the National Monuments, Lakeshores, Historic Parks, Heritage Areas or Scenic Trails (of which we visit along the way to a Park). So here we are at John Day, the Painted Hills unit! Only 4 hours from Portland, Oregon, we’d heard many great things about this monument featuring scenic drives and hikes displaying the prehistoric past of Oregon.
John Day has 3 units: Sheep Rock, Clarno and Painted Hills. We were recommended Painted Hills, which was the smallest detour from our big trip East.
Without the high crowd volume of other National Parks, it was a treat to start the trip solo enjoying the beautiful yellow, golds, blacks and reds of the Painted Hills.
We selected the Painted Cove trail for our hike for the day (normally we try to 2 but just didn’t have time after fighting Portland traffic for the final time). This short, 1/4 mile trail winded through the colorful hills getting very close to the crackled claystone. Part of the trail is boardwalk that makes for a very accessible nature trail. Virtually all Parks have several accessible trails that allow people of all abilities to experience the Park out from behind the windshield.
This was a great introduction to what would turn into an adventure for the senses and soul. Let’s keep going!
