Succor Creek and Leslie Gulch, Oregon

Although the Succor Creek area is close as the crow flies to our campsite on Lake Owyhee, we couldn't get here from there due to the rough road. So, we are staying in Homedale, Idaho. We took off early with a picnic lunch and headed for Succor Creek, well known as an area of dramatic geologic beauty. There are ranches and farms along the way, situated on the rolling hills that are covered this time of year with golden grasses. As we went deeper into the canyon the hillsides took on fantastic shapes, one area reminding me of an ice cream sundae. In some areas splashes of color are due to lichens, in others, the mineral content of the rock. Some of the rock is compressed layers of volcanic ash, in others, volcanic lava. When we had completed the Succor Creek route we decided it was early enough we'd go on to the Leslie Gulch area, which is connected. Leslie Gulch was named for a local rancher who was killed there by a lightening strike. We weren't disappointed in the scenery, as you'll see by the photos. I've uploaded them in a larger size than usual so you get better detail. As with some of the other places we've visited, photos really don't do it justice, but we did the best we could! Click or double click on the slide show to go to the larger version, then select "full screen" at the top left.

One of the little settlements we passed as we left the Succor Creek-Leslie Gulch area included Rockville School, one of the few remaining schools where one teacher teaches all grades. Here's an article about it. It includes a photo of the school, which is a good thing as we neglected to take one.

On to Birch Creek Historic Ranch.....The road in is rather exciting..... in 6.7 miles of rock and gravel we dropped 2,000 feet, right down to the river, at an historic ranch. The ranch consists of several buildings and corrals of varying ages, all spread out along the river. We talked with Jim, the host/caretaker, and friend Louise and learned a little about the original owners of the ranch, and how they maintain it so far from public utilities. They have propane and diesel, solar panels, and other methods for keeping the place comfy. Many of the buildings (all managed now by the BLM) are fitted out like cabins and can be rented, and there are campsites right along the edge of the river. While we were chatting we noticed a herd of bighorns off in the distance, so spent a while watching them graze. It was 104 when we got back in the truck for the climb back up to the top, 94 when we arrived at the top, and then it dropped a few more degrees as we headed for Coffeepot Crater, part of the Jordan Valley Craters area.

Jordan Valley Craters area is a massive black lava flow, primarily frothy glass-like material that would cause serious injury if one fell on it. We walked gingerly around the edges of the flow but didn't venture out too far.

Experts estimate the original flow is between 4,000 and 9,000 million years old, based on the growth of lichens and othe plant life. There is a small area that is estimated to be only 100 years old, based on the fact that there's absolutely no plant life in that area at all.
This was the last stop. It was late, we'd traveled about 150 miles on rough gravel roads, and temperatures were still in the 90's so we headed for home, where an air conditioned RV, an cold beer and a view of the river awaited!