Malheur N.F.
Strawberry Mt. is the 9038' peak which dominates the skyline in the 107 square mile Strawberry Mt. Wilderness to the south of Prairie City, OR. Five of the seven major biologic zones may found within this small mountain range. The western half of the range was seafloor about 200-250 million years ago. Now uplifted, reddish peridotite and green serpentinite outcrops may be found here with their unique flora. The eastern half of the range consists of ash and lava spewed from vents in the area about 15 million years ago. Ice Age glaciers carved many of the valleys on the north-facing slopes.
Good spots for viewing flowers include Canyon Mt. (8007'), East Fork Canyon Creek, Baldy Mt, Indian Creek, Wildcat Basin (7000'), Strawberry Mt, and the meadows above Strawberry Lake.
The wilderness may be accessed via several routes. The north side of Canyon Mt. may be accessed from Canyon City. From US highway 26, Grant County road 54 provides access to Baldy Mt.. County road 55 provides access to the Indian Creek Trail. County road 60 extends south of Prairie City to Strawberry Lake and the trailheads for 2 northern trails accessing Strawberry Mt. County Road 62 provides access via Summit Prairie to FS Rd 16 which extends west to Logan Valley. At the western edge of Logan Valley, drive north on FS Rd 1640 to the trailhead for the southern trail to Strawberry Mt. Continuing west a few miles, on FS Rd 16, take the right fork which is FS Rd 15. This proceeds down Canyon Creek towards US Highway 395. This provides access to East Fork Canyon Creek via FS Rd 6510. This trail provides a view of the flora of a riparian habitat from late May into June.
Access by vehicle is limited from late May (at the earliest) to late Fall due to snowfall. I'm guessing that good wildflower displays normally begin in mid to late June and these can extend into early September, at least after winters with high snowfall.
Partial Plant Lists for Hikes via the Southern Access Trail to Strawberry Mt.:
July 5, 2002 Strawberry Mt. (via the southern access trail)
September 4, 1999- Strawberry Mt., Strawberry Wilderness, Malheur NF
Partial Plant Lists for Hikes in the Southwest Corner of the Strawberry Wilderness: