Blue Basin Overlook Trail — Attraction in Rest Lawn Cemetery

Blue Basin is, in my opinion, the equally beautiful but lesser known sister to the Painted Hills within the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Granted it's a good distance further east, about 50 miles, but well worth the trip. It's like entering into a whole different world, where erosion creates art. I recommend doing both the Overlook Trail as well as the lower trail which takes you into the canyon - both offer a very different perspective of this geological gem. The overlook has some pretty significant elevation gain which can be exacerbated with the hot temperatures typical in the summer here. Bring plenty of water and the effort is treated to some unique and worth...

Fantastic hike with amazing views and decently difficult. The hike is pretty exposed so bring plenty of water and a good camera, the shots from the top are amazing. Unfortunately everyone won't have the same experience I had, meeting a geologist at the top who explained everything we were looking at was amazing. I do get the impression geologists and rock hounds are more frequent visitors to the area though since that wasn't the only hike I went on where I met someone who explained what I was...

The trail takes one in a long loop up and around the Blue Basin far below. There are long views down the John Day River Valley. Bring plenty of water for the trek, a broad-brimmed hat for the blazing sun. Many layers of the Pleistocene era are laid open for viewing. It's strenuous with a great rise in elevation but the experience is well worth the effort. This is part of the John Day Fossil Beds...