Strawberry Mountain Wilderness

Limited to 12 people.

Sheep Rock is a serpentine exposure between Baldy Mtn. and Strawberry Mtn.,(3 mi. up; 6 mi. rt., moderately strenuous). This trail leads through alpine meadows and wild onion fields in the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. Good views of the west face of the Strawberry Mountains are available. Water may be limited along the trail which is very steep at the lower end. Variations in elevation on the trail are 4600'-7200'. Length is 6.4 miles rt. This trail passes through a variety of habitats (scabland, mature ponderosa pine with pinegrass, curl-leaf mtn. mahagony with ID fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass, including the edge of the roughly 6-year old Wildcat Fire, which provides an opportunity to see naturally recovering vegetation following wildfire in a wilderness setting. The trailhead is a relatively short drive from John Day (30 min.) Limited parking. Passenger cars are fine. Improved gravel. A bit lumpy in one section. (Moderately strenuous)

Access: Take US Highway 26 east from John Day to Indian Creek Road (County road 55). Follow County road 55 about 3 miles, County road 71 about 2 and Forest Service road 7101 about 3 miles. The trail begins on the right hand side of the road, just past the Forest Service boundary at the left hand curve.