Strawberry Mountain Wilderness

Leader:

Limited to 12 persons.

This trail offers excellent views of the John Day Valley. It also allows access to Canyon Mountain and the west end of the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. Drive is about 12 miles, the last 1.6 on very rough road (high clearance vehicles advised.) Trail is 6.6 miles rt with 1200 ft elevation gain and with great views, making the drive worth while. The trail passes thorugh open forest and dry meadows to Dog Creek passing areas with serpentine and periodite. Plants include Thelypodium eucosmum, monkshood, paintbrush, ferns,columbine are present. Most of the trail is dry, but there are a few streams along it.

Access: From John Day, take US Highway 395 south for approximately 2 miles. Turn right onto County road 52 (Marysville Road) in Canyon City. Travel approximately 2 miles, then take a right on County road 77 for approximately 1/4 mile, then take another right on Forest Service Road 7700333 and follow the road to the trailhead.
Considerations: The road is not maintained by the Forest Service. Recommend 4X4 vehicles only during dry months of year. Stock trailers are not recommended on this road as they may become high centered. Length 15.5 miles if hiked to Canyon Mt.. Variation in elevation is 5400'-7600'. Rated Difficult.