In recent years, Eastern Oregon’s
Dooley Mountain climb has developed some notoriety for its brutal role in the
outcome of the Elkhorn Classic Stage Race. Many of the race participants are
unaware that a more formidable climb lurks nearby, the climb to Anthony Lakes.
One year the race organizers proposed an additional day of racing that included
this climb. The racers took one look at the elevation profile and quickly
persuaded the organizers to banish the thought. “The Anthony Climb” is a goliath
by more than just Northeast Oregon standards, it is arguably more difficult than
the more well-known climbs in the state like Larch Mountain, Mary’s Peak, and
Mt. Ashland. The Anthony climb is an unrelenting pitch of pavement that snakes up to Anthony Lakes Ski Area. The length is 10.5 miles and the road gains 3,485 feet to top out at an elevation of 7,220. The gradient averages 7 percent with sustained sections of 12-15. The most challenging gradients are at the beginning and end of the climb, and require a minimum 39/25 gearing for even the strongest riders. A triple chainring is recommended for most recreational cyclists. The true summit is a few miles farther down the road from where the proper climb ends. There, the road nudges up to 7,395 feet making this the second highest paved road in Oregon, second only to the rim drive on Crater Lake.
Finishing this climb in less than an hour is very fast. Most should expect to be climbing for well-over an hour. The pain begins immediately upon crossing a small bridge over the Powder River as the road immediately turns sharply upward on some very rough pavement. The climbing eases up a bit upon entering the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest, where the road surface also improves considerably. At one point, the road nearly levels for a very short reprieve and then returns to the consistently steep gradients that characterize the climb. The only other relief is a 5 percent grade at the trail head entrance for Van Patten Lake. For the remainder of the climb the air gets thinner, pavement starts to degrade, and the road gets even more serious. Two long straight stretches demoralize the climber near the top, because the road appears to continue upward indefinitely. Eventually the road crests at an inauspicious section that gives very little indication that the violence has culminated. At this point, ego-oriented climbers should stop their watches because the official climb is complete—start timer at bridge, go all out, stop timer at dirt road on the right where the climbing stops, work done. Anthony Lakes Campground is just a quarter mile down the road, and offers a gorgeous setting to rest and refill water bottles. Cyclists should exercise caution on the descent, watching for anomalies in the road, loose gravel, and oncoming traffic on the corners.
While the climb does offer a few beautiful views of the Baker Valley and the Wallowa Mountains to the East, the true beauty is in the physical effort required to ride this climb. For riders who take time to sit up and enjoy their surroundings, there are other scenic offerings. The road takes the cyclist through thickly forested ponderosa and tamarack pines in the lower elevations. At higher elevations the trees get shorter and more sparse, giving way to white granite rocks and mountainous terrain that is characteristic of the Elkhorn mountains, a tall range sandwiched between the Blue Mountains and Wallowa Mountains. The road follows Antone Creek for most of the climb and then bisects Bear Butte and Van Patten Butte before topping out and entering the Anthony Lakes basin. The Anthony Lakes area hosts a variety of recreational opportunities throughout the year. Winter sports include nordic and alpine skiing and snowmobiling. Summer activities include mountain climbing, mountain biking, fishing, canoeing, hiking, and camping. A few things that may be experienced on the ride: mountain goats, big horn sheep, bear, elk, bald eagles, turkeys, and maybe prong-horned antelope.
Unfortunately, this climb is usually unrideable for cyclists until May when the final snow and ice melt off the pavement. Even after the melt, it takes a few weeks for the loose sand and gravel to disappear. The area is subject to snow storms in May and June, so weather forecasts should be examined before attempting the climb. Later in the summer, the high elevation offers relief from heat. The climb is rideable well into the fall, sometimes through October. Normally there is very little traffic (e.g. 4-5 cars an hour), like most roads in Northeast Oregon. Traffic increases considerably during summer weekends, holidays, and fall hunting seasons.
The climb is easily accessible from Interstate 84. Cyclists from the “west side” traveling to Idaho should make a stop at the North Powder exit (#285) and enjoy the climb. From this exit, turn west onto North Powder River Rd and park in a gravel parking area to the left. Continue on down North Powder River Road on bike, turn left on Ellis Road and right on Anthony Lakes Highway. The ride to the climb from the freeway serves as a good warm-up with 9.5 miles of mostly flat terrain through scenic cattle ranches. Local cyclists may elect to start the ride in Union for a more challenging course that climbs through Pyles Canyon and desert terrain to North Powder. Anthony Lakes can also be reached from the back side, where the climb is less severe. The I-84 Hilgard Junction exit (#252) will commence a very long climb that travels through Starkey. Plan on over 3 hours of mostly gradual climbing along a route that follows the Grande Ronde River to its source in Anthony Lakes area.
Brian Sather is an Associate Professor of Physical Activity & Health at Eastern Oregon University. For further information on cycling in Northeast Oregon, visit his website at LaGrandeRide.com
