Today was a day with a lot of climbing and descending as I crossed over the Blue Mountains. I was on the road just before sunrise since I expected a long day. Overall it went easier than expected – the grades on the climb were gradual and the descent wasn’t steeper than 6%. I rode on a wide shoulder of the interstate for the climb and there wasn’t much traffic and also not much tire debris. It was 39F during the climb but warmed up nicely by the time I was up.

Cycling through downtown La Grande

Early morning overlook with town below and sun not yet over the horizon

Deer

Onto the interstate. The first few miles were fairly flat. After that a few miles of 5% grade. I started the morning at 2700ft and climbed to 4193ft at the summit.

Area to put on chains.

Made it to the summit. Overall, there was fifteen miles or so before I started a steeper descent.

Off the interstate at Meecham. While it was still noisy, this was one of the more pleasant rides on interstate I’ve had on this trip.

Meecham has a small general store and deli that is closed on Wednesdays (today).

These folks just finished putting the cattle in that fenced in pen.

Emigrant Springs state park and campground.

Crossed over to the Umatilla Indian Reservation

There was a rest area just before the descent. This is some of the last hills to go around.

Looking out over the valley with Pendleton some 2500ft below. I stayed tonight in a casino hotel and can already see it in this photo. The descent was steady and easier than Rabbit Ears Pass and Daniels Summit. I ended around 1500ft which is lower than I’ve been since the middle of Nebraska. I expect the lower elevation to keep mornings warmer than if I had crossed the middle of Oregon

A section of gravel road before reaching my casino hotel. The ride went quicker than I expected. Now time to sort the next days along the Columbia.