00:00The Painted Hills of Oregon are one of the most colorful natural wonders in the United
00:05States.
00:06Located in Wheeler County, they are part of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument,
00:11a place where nature tells stories that go back millions of years.
00:16These hills look like they have been painted by hand thanks to the stunning stripes of
00:20red, gold, black, orange, and yellow spread across them.
00:24The colors and layers show different geological time periods when the area used to be a river
00:29floodplain.
00:30More than 35 million years ago, volcanic eruption dropped layers of ash into this region.
00:37Over time, that ash mixed with minerals and compressed into the beautiful bands we see
00:42today.
00:43The black color in the soil comes from lignite, which is ancient plant matter.
00:47The gray comes from the mudstone, shale, and silt stone, while the bright red and orange
00:53tones are from a mineral-rich soil called laterite, formed when the region had a warm and wet
00:59climate.
01:00What's even more amazing is that the hills' colors change with sunlight and season, making
01:05every visit feel unique.
01:07The best time to visit the painted hill is right after it rains.
01:11The moisture deepens the colors and makes the hills glow even more vibrantly.
01:16In the spring, especially from April to May, you will see small yellow wildflowers flowing
01:22through the cracks in the red hills, making a view even more magical.
01:26The contrast of color is a dream come true for photographers and nature lovers.
01:31In the winter, after a soft snowfall, the white snow on the top of the colorful hills creates
01:37a striking and peaceful scene.
01:40Visitors from all over the world come here to walk the easy and well-marked trails.
01:45There are picnic areas, parking spaces, and helpful signs that explain how these colors and layers
01:52formed over time.
01:53The Painted Corp Trail, Carol Rim Trail, and Leaf Hill Trail are popular routes that offer
01:59close-up and panoramic views of the hills.
02:02Whether you are taking pictures, hiking, or just relaxing, there's something here for everyone.
02:08Beyond the hills, there are much more to explore in eastern Oregon.
02:12You can go fossil hunting, visit the Thomas Condon Planothology Museum, or enjoy a peaceful
02:18boat ride on the Jonder River.
02:20In nearby Okoko National Forest, you can try mushroom-forging cross-country skiing or hike
02:27through hidden trails surrounded by wildlife.
02:30Watch deer, antelopes, hummingbirds, and butterflies.
02:33At night, the sky is filled with stars, and the silence of nature gives you a sense of
02:38calm that's hard to find anywhere else.
02:41The Painted Hills are open all year, and the views never get all.
02:45Whether it's your first time or your fifth visit, the magic is always there.
02:50It's the perfect place to spend a day with family or enjoy some peaceful time alone in
02:55nature.
02:56With good paths, clean picnic spots, and lots to learn and see, it's easy to understand
03:01why the Painted Hills are one of the Oregon's top natural wonders.
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