Directions
CEMETERY VISITS & TOURS
Ekone Ranch is a busy place, and we are unable to accommodate drop-in visitors. All cemetery visits and tours are scheduled with a cemetery steward, so be sure to contact us in advance when you decide to come for a tour or visit.
We’ve compiled some ideas to help you plan for your visit to White Eagle at Ekone Ranch.
Here are some fairly nearby Places to Stay:
Airbnb Listings near Goldendale including the Historic Red House, which sleeps up to 8 people, and also a nearby Treehouse, which sleeps up to 3 people.
Hip Camp has some great options for camping, yurts, and RV visits.
Celilo Inn in The Dalles (about an hour away on I-84) sits up on the hill overlooking the river and the dam. During the high season they offer wine tasting tours and barbecues on their patio.
Klickitat River Inn in Klickitat offers suites or a main house accommodation and is located right on the river
Ponderosa Motel in Goldendale has doubles and singles with kitchenettes, and a new wing of rooms. It is locally owned, we’ve heard good things about their breakfast options, and their rates are reasonable.
Quality Inn in Goldendale is convenient and good basic accommodation.
Here are some places to eat along the way:
Loie’s Cafe at the Maryhill Museum of Art is a lovely snack stop.
Goldendale Chamber's list of restaurants in town - the Dirty Cowgirl food truck, located at the turn onto Bickleton Hwy, is great too.
Solstice Wood Fired Pizza, Cafe & Bar on the waterfront in Hood River, OR makes great pizza and has a full menu of salads, soups, pasta, and local brews on tap.
Gorge in the Gorge has some other suggestions for good eats.
Here are a few important tips to help you prepare for your visit:
We are located about 2.5 hours from Portland and about 4 hours from Seattle. It takes just under 30 minutes to reach us from Goldendale, WA, the nearest town. Internet will not work on your phone once you are out here, and cell phone coverage can be spotty. It will feel like you are in the boondocks – because you are! Text us (206-383-3285) from Goldendale to let us know your actual arrival timing, please!
The road out to the White Eagle grounds is impassable during snow and heavy rain. Vehicles with good clearance can drive it the rest of the time. Come prepared: wear sturdy shoes that can handle seasonal conditions, a hat, and a water bottle.
Follow the directions below and Just Say No to the Box Canyon Road route. DO NOT USE A GPS navigation system. (It will likely take you the back way on a pretty sketchy road where it is easy to get lost). Call Shonie, our Executive Director, if you run into any trouble: 509-250-1034
DRIVING DIRECTIONS
Printable version
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From Seattle or Spokane: Take I-90 to Ellensburg, then take the HWY 97 exit South toward Yakima. The hwy will merge with 12 and 82 in Yakima. Turn Right to stay on Highway 97 South at Toppenish and head over Satus Pass to Goldendale.
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From Portland: Take I-84 East past The Dalles to Biggs Junction and take Highway 97 North over the Columbia River at Biggs Junction. Follow 97 N for about 10 miles toward Goldendale.
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At Goldendale, take the Broadway St exit for Highway 142 at the 76 Service Station & Dairy Queen. Coming from the South, turn Left; it’s a Right turn from the north. This is the last spot with reliable cell phone coverage. If we have asked you to text us on your way, please send your text now - this will help us greet you when you arrive!
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Go one block, then take the first left after the drive through coffee station onto Bickleton Hwy.
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Continue east for 10 miles (watch for milepost 10) and turn left onto Old Mountain Road.
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In approximately 1 mile, the pavement curves down and to the right and crosses at Badger Gulch–follow it across the small bridge to stay on Old Mountain Road.
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About 3 miles later, the pavement doesn't end anymore at the mailboxes off Ownby Road, but the county road gets rougher. Slow down to 25 mph or less.
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In another mile, you’ll see our neighbor's blue 455 house marker on your left and the Ekone Ranch sign on your right—turn right onto Ekone Road. Slow down more to 10 mph or less—there are two speed bumps and two speed dips on this road. You’ll pass our closest neighbors and follow the signs for Ekone for almost 1 mile, to reach the Ekone Valley.
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If no one is immediately on hand to greet you, park on the lawn to the left of the stop sign, Do not go on past the STOP sign. The large octagonal building is the Ekone Ranch Lodge. Your White Eagle steward will meet you in the adjacent parking area and caravan up the final stretch of road (another mile) to the White Eagle parking area.
