WALLOWA LAKE — Wallowa Lake has gained a reputation in recent years for state- and world-record size kokanee.

Looking south from the Elkhorn Crest Trail west of Baker City, snow still blocks large sections of this high-elevation trail, but lower trails in the Elkhorns, Wallowa and Blue Mountains are snow-free, although few have been maintained this spring. (Lisa Britton/WesCom News Service)

Many low-elevation trails are accessible this time of year for hikers 

The good news, if you like to hike, is that snow has already melted off at least the lower sections of most mountain trails in Northeastern Oregon.

Tim Dyer of Moscow, Idaho, draws his bow back at the Grande Ronde Bowmen’s range on Mt. Emily Sunday. The GRB hosted an International Bowhunting Organization world qualifier. (Submitted photo)

REDDING, Calif. — Three local men competed at the National Field Archery Association’s national shoot recently and found some success.

Plant enthusiasts will have a chance to explore high elevations when the Native Plant Society of Oregon has its annual meetings in July. (Gene Yates photo)

Native Plant Society plans busy weekend for those willing to hit the trails of Eastern Oregon’s local mountains 

There is a lot to draw people into the mountains of Eastern Oregon.

WOLF CREEK RESERVOIR — Dominic Clay has been trying to beat Michael Rushton for the past three years, and last Saturday, Clay finally crossed the finish line before Rushton.

Clay won the Oregon Trail Sprint Triathlon at Wolf Creek Reservoir, finishing in a time of 1 hour, 4 minutes, 53.1 seconds. 

Lola Smith of La Grande gets a few pointers from birdathon volunteer helper Pat Kennedy on where to look to spot a bird Saturday morning at a viewing area along Foothill Road south of La Grande. (CHRIS BAXTER/The Observer)

The eighth annual Ladd Marsh Bird Festival had a record number of watchers last weekend. 

According to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife biologist at Ladd Marsh, Cathy Nowak, there were 361 registered participants at the three-day event.

That is up from the 350 the festival had last year.

“We were hoping for that many,” Nowak said. “We expected to do a little better than last year.”

Chris Bohnenkamp and Jon Fregulia jet boat through the Whirlpool Rapids on the Niagara River recently. They became the first people to successfully make it to the base of the Niagara Falls. (Courtesy photo)

Local jet boaters take on Niagara River Gorge

Class 6 rapids, border patrol agents and an all-time first for jet boaters was how Chris Bohnenkamp and Jon Fregulia were introduced to Niagara Falls.

Emilie Montgomery-Jones (left) and Scilla Coe, both of La Grande, ride along with a cattle drive on the Grande Tour Scenic Bikeway Saturday east of Baker City. (Brad Mosher/The Observer)

Cyclists discover great outdoors on 134-mile ride through backcountry

It wasn’t the long uphill climb to the summit on Highway 203 Saturday that impressed most of the three dozen riders in the annual Grande Ronde Spring Ride.

Carson Everton (above, left) had the winning catch at the Morgan Lake Fish Derby last Saturday. Everton landed a 1-pound, 12.3-ounce catfish. (Casey Kellas/The Observer)

by Casey Kellas/The Observer

MORGAN LAKE — Those Morgan Lake catfish sure don’t miss many meals.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife stocked Morgan Lake with 1,000 trout this week along with an additonal 250 trophy trout. The Morgan Lake fishing derby has three age groups: 6 and younger, 7-10 and 11-16.

Morgan Lake kicks off spring with fishing derby 

by CASEY KELLAS / The Observer 

MORGAN LAKE — Local youths who are looking to jumpstart spring will have an opportunity Saturday as the annual La Grande Optimist Club/Bi-Mart Morgan Lake Fishing Derby returns for another year.

The event runs from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The age groups are once again 6 and younger, 7 to 10 and 11-16.