Rattlesnake Loop
Brief
All pavement
310 Mile loop
A bucket list ride
The famous Rattlesnake Grade, Enterprise, Joseph, Wallowa Lake
A great all-day ride
The Whole Story
We call this one the Rattlesnake Loop. Rattlesnake Grade is a famous bucket list ride for motorcyclists. Run this one in either direction. This ride is an all-day Loop from Walla Walla, so be efficient on your stops. The ride from Dayton to Clarkston is the least interesting part.
If you are going clockwise, Walla Walla to Dayton on Hwy 12 — If you have time, there is a nice coffee stop at Locally Nourished in Dayton. But you don’t want to dally; there are miles to cover and more to see.
It’s best to fill the fuel tank in Asotin. There is also fuel in Enterprise.
There are some fun, tight twisties up from Asotin to Anatone. Then the big fun begins! Go down Rattlesnake Grade, enjoying the corners and view. Wear out the sides of your tires, but be safe. At the bottom of the grade where you cross the Grande Ronde River, you should stop at Boggan’s Oasis. Take a break, have a cool drink, ice cream, or lunch.
On the Oregon side, after climbing out of the canyon, look for Joseph Canyon Viewpoint. Don’t miss this left turn off the highway. It gives a view over the deepest canyon in the US, Hell’s Canyon.
Wallowa Lake: Restrooms are at the State Park, which is the turnaround point on the route.
The route from Joseph to Enterprise takes Airport Road to Hurricane Creek Road across the Alder Slope, which has fantastic views of the Eagle Cap area of the Wallowa Mountains. This part is optional and bypasses Enterprise.
Enjoy the ride through Lostine, Wallowa, and Elgin. Then, it’s Hwy 204 over the Blue Mountains and back to the Walla Walla Valley.