Points of Interest of the Heppner Ranger District

Gibson Cave - A thousand years ago at Gibson Cave....Archeologists from the US Forest Service have studied this cave carefully and have concluded that it was probably a home for Native American families sometime during the last thousand years.  These people were hunters and gatherers and probably used this cave as a safe, sheltered place to grind their roots, nuts, berries, or to cook their game over the fire pit.  From here, they could rest as they prepared to follow the next herd of deer, and elk or to search for steelhead in the rivers.

Gibson Cave during the 1930's....A man named Gibson made this cave his home during the Great Depression.  Because of the economy, people had to be creative to get by, and Gibson started a business cutting firewood and selling it in the town of Heppner.  One summer, he employed several families who camped near the cave.  One of these people recorded her recollections of Gibson, the modern "Caveman" who became a local legend.

Gibson built a wall across the front of the cave with a door and a window.  Inside, he packed down the dirt floor, added a wood stove, a table, benches, a camp cot, and built a stove pipe that led out the front.  He built wood "pole" chairs, carried his water in by a bucket, and used kerosene lamps.  His cave must have been quite cozy, for he spent more time there than at his log cabin in town.

Location:  Approximately 1 1/4 mile down the Bald Mountain Trail

Tupper Work Center was built as early as 1910, when the guard station/bunkhouse was completed.  Facilities were expanded in 1934 with the development of the mess hall and bathhouse.  During this period employees were housed in tents through the field season.  The next major development was in 1964.  At this time an accelerated building program from economically depressed areas provided funds to construct six structures:  the barracks, oil/gas house, equipment storage, the guard cabin, and the water system.  Tupper Work Center has been improved over the years, and to this day still houses our summer fire crews.

Location:  Approximately 35 miles south of Heppner, Oregon on FS Road 21.

Madison Butte Lookout was constructed around 1935, and consists of a 45 foot steel tower.  It is the primary fire lookout for the Heppner Ranger district and is staffed during the summer/fall season.

Location:   Approximately 30 miles south of Heppner, Oregon on FS Road 2119-033.

Tamarack Lookout was constructed in 1933, and consists of a 105 foot steel tower.  A small wood frame cabin constructed in 1934 was used as a residence for the fire lookout, then in 1966 was destroyed by an accidental fire.  A garage/utility shed was then converted to the existing cabin.  The Tamarack Lookout Cabin is now used as a Cabin Rental for the Heppner Ranger District, and the lookout is staffed as an  emergency facility during active lightning storms.

Location:  Approximately 43 miles south of Heppner, Oregon on FS Road 2407-040.

Blue Mountain Scenic Byway - The Byway is a relaxing, scenic alternative to I-84.  It is a stretch of State, County, and Forest Service roads that provides an alternate route for freeway travelers between Arlington and Baker City, Oregon.  The drive is 130 miles of paved, two-lane road, crossing Morrow and Umatilla counties in northeast Oregon, with a long segment of the byway traversing the Umatilla National Forest.  This route is open during the summer and fall, generally from June through November.

The Blue Mountain Scenic Byway offers a variety of scenery along with historical sites and numerous recreation opportunities.  Several sites are of national or state significance and include a National Historic District, a crossing of the Oregon Trail, the Wild and Scenic John Day river, and at the North Fork John Day Wilderness.  Also located along this route is a state-managed wildlife area and remnants of historic mining activities and settlements.  The area surrounding this scenic route supports a portion of one of the largest Rocky Mountain elk herds in the nation.

Stahl Canyon - A scenic loop drive can be taken on FS Roads 21 and 25, that offers a variety of scenery and panoramic views.  The overlook, located on FS Road 21 offers a view of the canyon and beyond to the northwest.  Big game use this canyon as a  travel way, and raptors are often seen soaring overhead.

Potamus Point - Provides spectacular vista's, overlooking Potamus Creek, your looking into deep canyon walls, and the breaks of the John Day River.

Little Potamus Falls - Located approximately 55 miles southeast of Heppner, Oregon on FS Road 2106-070.  There is about 1/8 mile hike to where you can overlook Little Potamus Falls.

Mallory Seed Orchard (Established 1986) - This seed orchard has been established for producing tree seed of superior quality.  Seedlings planted here were grown from the seed of selected trees throughout Heppner Ranger District.  The seed produced will be used to grow healthy forests and increase wood fiber for future generations.

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