Willow Creek
Original Heppner Junction
"80 ft. steel span with two 33 ft. concrete approach spans. Over Willow Creek on the Columbia River Highway near Heppner Junction in Gilliam County. Completed in 1920."
Oregon State Highway Commission - 4th Biennial Report of the Oregon State Highway Commission Covering the Period December 1st, 1918 to November 30th, 1920http://digital.lib.pdx.edu/oscdl/files/odot/pdx005t0003.pdf
Oregon State Archives : A 1940 Journey Across Oregon
HEPPNER JUNCTION, 35.1 m. [West of Hwy. 730 Junction] (241 alt.), distinguished by an airplane beacon on the cliff (L), is the junction of the Union Pacific Railroad main line with its Heppner branch, as well as the junction of US 30 with State 74.
Left from Heppner junction on State 74 through a narrow rimrock walled cleft up Willow Creek. Rust colored, basaltic cliffs are in vivid contrast with emerald green alfalfa fields, sub irrigated by gravity flow of water from Willow and its tributary creeks, and from underground springs. As the route continues into the gradually rising country, wheat fields roll away to the benchlands on either side of the highway.
During gold rush days, miners traveling from lower Columbia River points to the Idaho and John Day mining districts, passed through Willow Creek Valley, hastening south by way of Dixie Creek and the forks of the John Day River. Processions of Columbia River Indians followed this road, to bunt deer, pick berries, and camp in the Blue Mountains, returning down the creek for the salmon fishing at Celilo.
http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/pages/exhibits/across/umatilla.html
Lyn Topinka, Columbia River Images
The Union Pacific station of Heppner Junction is located at the mouth of Willow Creek. Heppner Junction was once the turnoff for the Union Pacific tracks heading into the city of Heppner. The line was in operation between 1889 and 1994, when it was closed as being non-profitable, and section of track were demolished. Today Heppner Junction is the starting place for the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway, with the turnoff at Oregon Highway 74, just west of Heppner Junction and Willow Creek...
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Heppner and Heppner Junction were named for Henry Heppner, who, along with Jackson L. Morrow, opened the first merchandise store in Heppner in 1873. In that same year the town of Heppner was founded and the post office was established. Heppner Junction began in 1889 when the Union Pacific laid tracks to Heppner.
Lyn Topinkahttp://columbiariverimages.com/Regions/Places/willow_creek.html
Past and Present Views Along the Columbia River Highway
Steve Hart, July 6, 2020:
One last post from my Friday trip. The is a complicated little place just east of Heppner.... The lower east fork [CRH] is washed out by the lake about 1/3 mile east. The upper fork [Heppner Highway] is about 1/4 mile long to where it's buried by the Union pacific grade.
I caught this EXTREMELY late in the day. I basically just bombed down the upper fork to the west end and walked back the lower fork. I was scrambling to get done before complete darkness. Sorry about the dark, color shifted photos.
Permalink: https://www.facebook.com/groups/483015922488601/permalink/752432868880237
"This is where the two forks come together. Ants have taken advantage of a seam between the two roads."
Willow Creek - 09Photo by Steve Hart, July 3, 2020Posted to Past and Present Views Along the Columbia River Highway on July 6, 2020Permalink: https://www.facebook.com/groups/483015922488601/permalink/752432868880237
"The west end dipping toward the river. "
Willow Creek - 10Photo by Steve Hart, July 3, 2020Posted to Past and Present Views Along the Columbia River Highway on July 6, 2020Permalink: https://www.facebook.com/groups/483015922488601/permalink/752432868880237
Columbia River Highway
"Interesting look at levels of pavement"
Willow Creek - 12Photo by Steve Hart, July 3, 2020Posted to Past and Present Views Along the Columbia River Highway on July 6, 2020Permalink: https://www.facebook.com/groups/483015922488601/permalink/752432868880237
Steve Hart, Upper Columbia River Highway Survey
East Heppner Jct Fragment
1600 feet, Mile 156.5, Features a junction with the abandoned Highway 74
Permalink: https://www.facebook.com/groups/483015922488601/permalink/729225577867633/
"This is near the junction. I think a hump was built into the lower road to meet the upper. To the left we can see a lower level of the road being eroded away."
Willow Creek - 13Photo by Steve Hart, July 3, 2020Posted to Past and Present Views Along the Columbia River Highway on July 6, 2020Permalink: https://www.facebook.com/groups/483015922488601/permalink/752432868880237
"A better view of the two roads at the junction."
Willow Creek - 15Photo by Steve Hart, July 3, 2020Posted to Past and Present Views Along the Columbia River Highway on July 6, 2020Permalink: https://www.facebook.com/groups/483015922488601/permalink/752432868880237
"View from the lower fork [Columbia River Highway]. We can see the grade for the upper fork [Heppner Highway] and the railroad grade. The freeway is in a cut beyond the railroad tracks. It's getting really dark."
Willow Creek - 18Photo by Steve Hart, July 3, 2020Posted to Past and Present Views Along the Columbia River Highway on July 6, 2020Permalink: https://www.facebook.com/groups/483015922488601/permalink/752432868880237
Heppner Highway
