[2003 NPSO Annual Meeting Field Trips]
Potential Fieldtrips for Friday & Sunday

 

I've tried to put together a list of sites to visit both on the way to John Day as well as in the Aldrich & Strawberry Ranges for those of you arriving early or staying longer in the southern Blue Mts.

Access off of US 26 for people arriving via Redmond and Prineville:

A. Lookout Mt. (Ochoco N.F.) - near Big Summit Prairie

B. Big Summit Prairie (Ochoco N.F.)

C. Painted Hills, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

Access off of OR Highway 19 for those arriving via Condon & Fossil:

A. Picnic Area, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

B. Blue Basin Overlook Trail & Islands in Time Trail into Blue Basin, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

C. Depending on how dry it is, there may be interesting wildflowers roadside along OR 19 between Fossil and Kimberly. Typically there isn't a lot of traffic along this highway, but safely pull over when stopping to look at things!

Trips for those staying around John Day, OR:

A. Dixie Butte Lookout A scenic 1/2 day trip.

B. Indian Creek Trail to Sheep Rock A full day hike. Visit the Forest Service Stations in John Day or Prairie City to find out whether the trail is open. Snow was still to be found at medium elevations over the Memorial Day holiday.

C. Canyon Mt. Trail A 1/2 to full day hike depending on length. Check to make sure this is clear of snow too.

D. Fields Peak A wonderfully scenic hike that could probably be done in 1/2 to 2/3 day.

E. East Fork Canyon Creek A peaceful hike of +1/2 day length depending on how far you hike.

F. Monument Rock Wilderness: A 2/3 to full day hike with great wildflowers and scenic vistas. Visit the Forest Service Stations in John Day or Prairie City to find out whether roads into the wilderness have been opened and maintained.

G. Strawberry Mt., South Access: A scenic 2/3 to full day hike. The upper end of FS Rd 1640 and the trail into the wilderness may still be closed due to snow. Check with the Ranger station in John Day or Prairie City.

H. North Fork Malheur River: This could be combined with a trip into the Monument Rock Wilderness for a full day's trip.

You could also drive around the Strawberry Range (the main roads are all paved) and stop when you see interesting plant or animal life. You could also drive into the Murderer's Creek drainage, and look both for roadside plants as well as stop and search the riparian areas immediately around Murderer's Creek for wetland plants. The creekside habitat is also great for birding, and the creek itself is also evidently renowned migratory fish habitat (steelhead and salmon).

For folks headed north or northeast, or for those wanting a scenic sidetrip west to Portland:

Consider the Blue Mt. and Elkhorn Scenic Byways.

Paul Slichter