86.8 miles:
1 hours,
59 minutes
Following FR 53 southeast from Heppner, the Blue Mountain Scenic Highway follows Willow Creek up into Oregon's Umatilla National Forest. The byway exits the forest's Heppner District and descends to the town of Ukiah before continuing via FR 52 back into the national forest and the North Fork John Day Wilderness. Due to snow, portions are closed mid-November to late May.
