Bakeoven Rd is a good road for crossing from Shaniko to Maupin. Most of it is flat and straight, with some loops and grade when drops down to Maupin - but so does 197.
It's the kind of road that's easy to see on Map Atlas books, and miss otherwise.
OR 216 Sherars Bridge Rd is another connector, though I've only taken from the Bridge west to the White River falls. I came down the BLM Access Rd from Maupin.
I'm reminded of this area each summer when a Carnival (Davis Shows) based in Tygh Valley comes to town.