Island of Time. Blue Basin, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

Pulling into the parking lot at the Blue Basin trailhead I never guessed what we'd see on our hike let alone how hot it would be. Temperatures in this canyon terrain are often 20 degrees higher than nearby locations. It reminded me of the temps in Hells Canyon. 
Thankfully, we had water for our hike into Oregon's badlands.

Even in the heat, the hike was worth it. The colors, textures and formations of the canyon walls are fascinating. White. Tan. Brown. Chocolate. Gray. Green. Blue. Sprayed-on cement. Dried Mud. Incredible Inclines. Fossils of various plants and animal ancestors. Castle-esque hilltops. A glorious amphitheater.  Deep grooves mocking river beds. One section resembled a rock-ledge waterfall (see blue-green ledge in my photo).

I imagined a past with a vastly different terrain. I see a river coursing downhill. My thought was that this place had captured  "A River in Time."

The Hill of a Different Color. Painted Hills Unit, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

See what I mean? All of the sudden you drive around a bend and there it is. The Hill of a Different Color.

The only one in the immediate scenery with such dramatic, vivid color. Looks like a show-off.

The Painted Hills show signs of heavy erosion in their volcanic ash layers. This erosion has revealed the tones and hues of the claystones. Colors and intensity change with available light and moisture. Once you see these colors for yourself, you'll want to return at a different time of year.

The photos I took of the Painted Hills were taken in September.

Painted Hills, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

Imagine driving through the Oregon "outback", lots of rocky terrain covering hills and deep valleys, sparse vegetation for miles, then the road you're on makes its way around the hillside and there in front of you are hills of a different color... the kind you've heard tell about. Painted hills. Semi-solid colors. Stripes and bands of red and gold. Some blotches of black. Broad strokes of dark green and mahogany and the shades of purple. "WOW!", you say. You wonder how much more color is underneath that rocky crust. Somehow the already exposed earth in all its magnificent colors with fascinating stories may not be enough for your curiosity. You still wonder how much more color is there.

Take in all that color and know that this was caused by volcanic episodes, dramatic heating and cooling, the deposits of minerals and of course, time. Ahh, time and Mother Nature. What a great combination of powers, creating some of the most interesting and spectacular art in the natural world.

Come see the gallery of the Painted Hills Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Experience the colors and textures for yourself.

Sagebrush at Sheep Rock, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

Sagebrush adds color to and thrives in the arid landscape of Oregon's high desert. Sheep Rock seen in the background is a prominent feature of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Sheep Rock Unit.

Besides many hiking trails and beautiful, other-worldly terrain, you'll find the Thomas Condon Paleontology Center. Here you can learn about this area from the National Park Service employees or take a self-guided tour through the interpretive center. You can also look through a large window directly into a lab where scientists study this area's evolution.

Leave the freeways and main highways, take the backroads through oh-so-small towns to see this fascinating geology. The landscapes in this part of Oregon are vastly different and I think you'll be amazed.