Idaho's overlooked Owyhee Uplands Byway

Sagebrush Country travels the 103 mile Owyhee Uplands Backcountry Byway from Grandview, Idaho to Jordan Valley, Oregon. We showcase the scenic vista's, the river canyon's, the homesteading history, the plants and other interesting sites on this beautiful drive. #Owyee #sagebrushcountry #Owyheeuplandsbyway #Jordanvalleyoregon #homestead #owyheeriver #idahodrive
The link to the video on catching Owyhee Redband Rainbow trout is
• Catching Redband Trout...

[@kwaichang368]

Love that area such beautiful scenery!

[@sagebrushcountry]

Me too!

[@sagebrushcountry]

I agree!

[@davec9244]

thank you

[@sagebrushcountry]

You're welcome…..

[@Oskanderstine]

I love the Owyhee mountains and all that it has to offer. Thanks for sharing.

[@sagebrushcountry]

Me too!

[@deborahlh7747]

Great video. I appreciate the plant references.

[@sagebrushcountry]

Thanks for saying so, I know some people don’t care, but it’s an element of the landscape I really enjoy 😊…thanks for your comment!

[@jamsessionrecordshop8872]

Really great video! I'll be checking this route out.

[@guitarzan0515]

Hey, I used to deliver to a Walmart distribution center in Grandview!

[@sagebrushcountry]

Oh cool!

[@gungadingo]

You’re probably talking about the distribution center in Grandview, Washington. States away.

[@sagebrushcountry]

Ahh… that would make more sense….

[@iguanaamphibioustruck7352]

I spent the first five years of my life on the banks of the Owyhee River at Rabbit Draw (google earth). My dad was a Forest Ranger and we lived in the government house with shop and barn from 1935 until 1940. Our Post Office Box was in Mountain City which was 3 miles beyond Prattville and the turn off to to the Rio Tinto Mine. The names that come to me are the neighbors; Walt Davidson, old man Peck and the Andres. The mine had a doctor that served the community as well as the miners. I will remember his name tomorrow. David W. Hansen Ps Maybe it was Dr. Sigurd

[@sagebrushcountry]

What a cool place to grow up - thanks for sharing!

[@NatureShy]

Stunning area. I love sagebrush and desert scenery in eastern OR and Idaho. I live in Portland but do a lot of hiking out in the sagebrush deserts in eastern OR. Always wanted to explore the Owyhee Canyonlands and that general area over there. Enjoyed this video and some of your other ones too. Thanks for sharing.

[@sagebrushcountry]

Thanks for your positive feedback, really appreciate it. It’s comments like this that keep me going……😊

[@2flight]

Nice video as always. Thanks for sharing!

[@sagebrushcountry]

Really appreciate your comments, thanks for taking the time to give some feedback!

[@idahobackyardbbq1061]

LWe loved the video ! We've been planning to take this route in May, is it a fully marked route on BLM land or is there private land to deal with? Thanks again for a great video!

[@sagebrushcountry]

Thanks for watching! Most of the route is through BLM land, especially the central portion going through the mountains. There is private land in some portions, but these parcels are usually pretty well marked with signs. Since all of the roads on this route have Public access, there’s nothing to worry about. Have a great time out there!

[@SynthLove]

Any good rocks? I’m a super crazy about the graveyard point, succor creek, Owyhee reservoir areas. I know them like the back of my hand. But ! I’ve never ventured up north! I’ve heard silver city has good materials.

[@sagebrushcountry]

Sorry, I’m not much of a rock guy, so can’t help you much there. I’ve been to Silver city many times, looks to me like some cool stuff going on, specially, given its mining history…..

[@williamweiss6128]

Driving through those areas imagining what life was like way back when. I need to make time to explore some side roads next time. Head north of JV, explore Sands Basin, Succor Creek, Jump Creek, ideas.

[@sagebrushcountry]

All good ideas, you can’t go wrong looking around most of that country. If you want more perspective on historical life in that area look at my video on “Undiscovered Birch Creek Ranch” (that was an especially historically interesting place). Also other videos I did in that general area you might like include “Pillars of Rome” and “Eastern Oregon’s Coffeepot Crater”. Thanks for your comment!

[@SkylinersYeti]

We traveled portions of this from 3 forks east. Long day then found private property on the Idaho end. The rancher was good enough to let us continue through his ranch to the highway. Posted private lands is always a risk in much of this area. I plan to return next spring and do some camping, exploring and paddling on Owyhee River.

[@sagebrushcountry]

I also have had some positive experiences with private landowners on the idaho side of the Owyee’s. I’ve recreated along the Owyhee river in several locations, and have loved all of them, hope you make it out again….

[@Ruger44Redhawk]

Glad I found this! Been interested in getting up to these areas since we aren't far in Caldwell. Any good camping options with trees up in the higher elevations? How about Silver City area? Also, have you been to the Sage Hen Falls above Succor Creek Reservoir on the Idaho side off of 95 at the border? Just subscribed.

[@sagebrushcountry]

Glad you found the video! There is a lot of good camping high in the Owyhee’s. Try on Jordan Creek south of Silver City…. some good dispersed sites right on the creek, and last time I was there, caught a few fish as well.

[@elaine8477]

Think the boom bust cycle of insects partly allows them to not be eaten as high percentage wise by predators, and they sometimes follow a food cycle.

[@sagebrushcountry]

What you say makes sense to me, thanks for taking time to make the comment!

[@somestratguy4886]

Did you do this drive in 2 days? If so, where did you camp?

[@sagebrushcountry]

I did stay overnight on the drive. I just slept in the back of my 4runner on the western side of the byway (found a pulloff as it was getting dark). There is plenty of dispersed camping options along the byway (especially in the higher elevation zones that contain western juniper). But you can also camp at the BLM campground I showcased in the video called North Fork Recreation Site.

[@BoiseG]

The BLM has been cutting down the junipers all through that area. They're creating a big eye sore in my opinion.

[@sagebrushcountry]

Yeah, not pretty is it. Unfortunately, Western Juniper will aggressively expand without regular wildfire. So if you’re managing for grazing or wildlife that need more rangeland (like sage grouse) that’s their current solution….