Stargazing Nighttime Pedal Adventure
About this trip...
Enjoy this special pedal in the still of the night. You'll journey through the crisp night air along the dimly lit valley floor at the base of the silhouetted Wallowa Mountains.
With lots of fresh air, and a good possibility of "wildlife" sightings this trip is an amazing adventure.
Your trip begins in Joseph during late dusk. You'll start with a Wallowa River crossing (not that you'll be able to see much of it, but you'll hear it) and then venture into an area flanked by dense pine forest.
Beyond the forest the rails lead you into the wide open valley with (hopefully) a vast clear starry sky overhead.Watch your step and enjoy the sky as we turn your cars around and then you will make your way back to Joseph.This trip takes place in the dark and will be primarily lit by head lamp. It may be spooky for some.Guests with children:
Children must be age 2 and up to ride but appropriate age is ultimately up to the guardian.This event is a family friendly adventure but again may be spooky because it's in the dark.
💡 Important Tips
• The sun will have set and temperatures will be cool so it should make for a very pleasant pedal but come prepared for cold temps. Colder evenings will feel like exercising in the cold on your return trip.
• This trip has a gentle yet consistent downhill grade to our mid-point in the Valley. It is a gentle uphill grade back to Joseph. A relaxed pace is key, you will not need to pedal much on the downhill porition. Your return trip will be slow and steady as you take your time pedaling back to Joseph.• Most of our guests complete this trip without assistance if they follow these guidelines. However you may get assistance by our pedal hybrid electric assist system on our guide car if needed, we can only assist a limited number of cars. Our assistance option allows guests of a variety of fitness levels to enjoy this trip.
Children must be age 2 and up to ride but appropriate age is ultimately up to the guardian.This event is a family friendly adventure but again may be spooky because it's in the dark.
💡 Important Tips
• The sun will have set and temperatures will be cool so it should make for a very pleasant pedal but come prepared for cold temps. Colder evenings will feel like exercising in the cold on your return trip.• This trip has a gentle yet consistent downhill grade to our mid-point in the Valley. It is a gentle uphill grade back to Joseph. A relaxed pace is key, you will not need to pedal much on the downhill porition. Your return trip will be slow and steady as you take your time pedaling back to Joseph.• Most of our guests complete this trip without assistance if they follow these guidelines. However you may get assistance by our pedal hybrid electric assist system on our guide car if needed, we can only assist a limited number of cars. Our assistance option allows guests of a variety of fitness levels to enjoy this trip.
Seating Options Please review the following seating options prior to booking
Our Nighttime trips are mainly sold by car type. You'll book by Railrider type. Choose from Tandem, Quad, add on Jump Seats, or a combination of these depending on your group.No discount for empty seats. Each guest must have their own seat. Lap riding is not permitted.
Tandem Car - $80 (from $40/guest)
(8 available per trip)
The sports coupe of our Railrider fleet is great for pairs of any combination, they may be linked together to create a makeshift Quad Car
These cars have 2 sling style seats, each seat has 2 cup holders and a lap seat belt, there is room for a backpack or soft cooler
At least 1 guest age 16+ must be on board the car, these cars may be used by a single rider if needed
Most children 8+ can reach, age 3-7 ride without pedaling
Guests must be 16+ to ride by themselves
Jump Seats may only be added onto a Tandem Car, they can turn a Tandem Car into a 3 or 4 seat car for guests with younger children, see Jump Seat section for more details
How to Book:
Select the number of Tandem Cars needed for your group
Quad Car - $140 (from $35/guest)
(2 available per trip)
With 4 seats and 4 sets of pedals this is ideal for families with children, groups of friends, or odd numbered parties
At least 1 guest age 16+ must be on board the car
Most children 8+ can reach, age 3 - 7 ride without pedaling
We only have 2 Quad Cars available per time slot
Each seat has two cup holders and a lap seat belt
Luggage space is limited to whatever you can sling off the rear two seats (backpacks or bags with straps work well)
How to Book:
If available, Select the number of Quad Cars needed for your group
Very important:
Quad Cars have a max weight limit of 1000 lbs / 453 kg
Jump Seats cannot be added onto Quad Cars
Jump Seat - $20
(6 available per trip)
Non-Pedaling add on seat for use on Tandem Cars only,
for Children ages 2 - 7Add up to 2 Jump Seats per Tandem Car only
We have 6 Jump Seats available per trip
5-point or lap style seat belt depending on child size
How to Book:
If available, Add the number of Jump Seats needed to your booking.
Very Important:Do not book Jump Seats on a Quad Car, they may only be added to Tandem Cars
Seating Examples
Review the following prior to booking
Adult pairs will sit on Tandem Cars together
However, if we are fully booked with a rare configuration, some pairs may need to share a Quad Car, this situation rarely ever happens
No Animals Permitted
There is no safe way to transport an animal onboard a Railrider.It is also strictly prohibited in our use contract with the Railroad, so ultimately it's out of our handsLocal Pet Boarding
Groups larger than two will need to book multiple Railriders or a Quad Car
We do not hold seats for onsite booking or overflow. If your group has not reserved the proper configuration we may not have space available to accommodate everyone
Children must be age 2 and up
and must be accompanied by an adult guardianThis trip is a family friendly adventure however it may be spooky for little ones due to riding in the dark
Safety Reminder: There is a 300lb / 136kg weight limit per each seat.
This is a limitation of our equipment and to ensure your safety it is a rule we cannot bend
Don't be late, or too early... Arrive 20 minutes prior to your departure time
Completing your waiver ahead of time expedites
check-in and reduces touch points in our depot.
Trip Specific Questions
↓ click question / item to expand ↓
If you enjoy stargazing, animal spotting, and potentially spooky adventures this trip is for you!
This trip isn’t best for infants or really young children under age 2. It is family friendly but may be spooky due to riding in the dark.
We have a 300lb weight limit per seat.
Start
You will meet your guide for a safety briefing prior to departing from Joseph. Please keep your headlamp on at all times, stop at our marked crossings, and keep an eye out for critters.
Midpoint
At our midpoint you may carefully get off of your Railrider. This is a great time to stretch your legs as your guide turns around your Railriders. You will re-board after your guide rotates them for your return trip. This is a great time let your guide know if you need a seat adjustment.
Return Leg
This is the “uphill” portion. It is a gentle yet consistent uphill grade back to Joseph. It will be nice and cool so this shouldn’t be much trouble for anyone.
Pace is key, take it easy and the pedal will be easier.
Home Base
Congratulations you made it! Checkout our souvenir shop and museum area in our office.
Don’t forget to share pictures and stories of your adventure with friends and family.
Now it’s time to decide which trip to conquer next. They are all special in their own way.
Storage is limited but there is room for some essentials.
*remember the more you bring the more you pedal
Essentials you should bring
- Water / Sports Drink (every seat has at least one cup holder that will fit a standard 20 ounce water bottle)
- Appropriate Outerwear (sweater, jacket, enclosed shoes, etc.) Please research your riding conditions so you come prepared, Joseph nights can certainly get chilly.
- Picture Taking Apparatus (Camera, cellphone, goPro, whatever you have if it can take pictures in low light you might spot something worth capturing)
We offer drinks and snacks for sale at our Joseph departure site at reasonable rates.
Nice things to have
- Smiles
- Fun stories
- A keen eye for wildlife
- Cash/card for souvenirs
- A treat for your guide
- Your guide will be armed with bear spray in case there are any unexpected visitors.
💡 Tips for a fun trip
It can still be quite cool here in Wallowa County in May and June and once September comes around it starts again so a jacket or windbreaker may be helpful. It’s typically cool at night all year long.
Your brief midpoint stop in the middle of the Wallowa Valley is a great place to stretch your legs and sit back in your seat and soak in the stars.
Remember to watch your step and take your time moving about.
Your guide will turn around the Railriders and will have everyone sit back down afterwards before the start of your return journey. There will be no restroom at the mid-point.
During the day, Joseph has all sorts of services; adventure, shopping, food, drink, public restrooms, parks, motels, lodges, BnBs, RV parks, and more.
Need Help Finding Lodging? CLICK HERE
Things to see and do in Joseph.
There is a lot to do in Joseph, we’ll offer some of our favorites.
- Ride with Joseph Branch Railriders, of course.
- Take out a one-of-a-kind Glass Bottom Kayak with JO Paddle.
- Soak in the Joseph main street Artwalk. Larger than life bronze statues occupy nearly every corner throughout town.
- Explore the many wonderful shops and restaurants on Main Street offering everything from souvenirs to fine art and dining.
- Visit Wallowology a science and natural history funseum that will immerse you in the natural history of Wallowa county.
- Ready for more adventure? Seek out Winding Waters River Expeditions. There are thrills around every bend when you venture out on white water. They also offer fishing tours and rent recreational equipment.
- Joseph is surrounded by some of the most astounding nature one can dream of. Visit the Forest Services’ Wallowa Mountains Office for loads of info on great places to hike, camp, and explore.
- Wallowa Lake State Park is a great place to explore, you can also enjoy the lake on the North side at the county park / boat launch.
- History buff? Check out the Wallowa County Museum and the Maxville Heritage Center for a glimpse of Wallowa county past.
- Wallowa Lake, spend time there, don’t miss it if you can help it.
- Also don’t miss Joseph City Park. The brand new playground was hand built by the community of Joseph. We’re super proud of it and we welcome you to enjoy it with us. There is a splash pad too that operates in the summer which is a great way to cool down.
That’s a lot to soak in, but that’s just scratching the surface of what Joseph and Wallowa County has to offer. Visit the Wallowa County Chamber of Commerce for more places of interest.
We generally are able to operate in most conditions with the exception of the following:
- Thunderstorms, any sign of localized lighting
- Heavy rain (not very enjoyable and we loose traction)
- Wet conditions in weather colder that 45 degrees (not enjoyable)
- Heavy fog
- Smokey conditions where the air quality index is above 150: Unhealthy level or higher
- Extreme winds or dust storms
Essentially it comes down to insuring the safety of everyone and making sure your Railriding experience is memorable for all the right reasons.
Please refer to our Policies page for weather related cancellation details and more.
- Arrive in Joseph See Map 20 minutes early
- Visit restroom if needed
- Provide your name to crew member
- Sign waiver if you did not sign online
- Listen to safety briefing
- Get seat adjusted
- Have fun!
Road Crossings
This trip requires you to cross three active road crossings in the dark, it is very important that you stop and look both ways before you cross and always keep your head lamp on.
We do not have the right-of-way and people will not be looking for you so this needs to be taken seriously.
Balance and uneven ground
Most of your trip will be illuminated by head lamp. The ground surrounding the tracks is uneven and has lots of loose gravel. Remain on board until you are instructed otherwise. Walk slowly and watch your step.
Insect Bites
It’s certainly possible to get some mosquito bites out there. However it’s pretty rare. We recommend using bug spray if you are concerned.
If you have a serious allergy please come prepared with your EpiPen or medication if needed and notify your guide of your allergy prior to riding.
Seat Belts
A lap seat belt must be worn whenever your Railrider is in motion.
UFOs
We are not responsible for loss or damages due to the acts of “mythical creatures”.