Powder River near Sumpter

This 135 mile long river winds through Baker County Oregon. Explorer Donald Mackenzie likely named the river. William C. McKay, grandson of John Jacob Astor's partner Alexander MacKay, says that the origin of the name is from the powdery and sandy soil along the shores of the river, from the Chinook Jargon polalle illahe. It appears on Lewis and Clark's maps as Port-pel-lah. This painting won "Best of Show" at the 3rd annual en Plein Air Event "Brushstrokes and Byways: Paint Baker County" plein air event and competition October 2026.