The Cedar Grove Botanical Area covers about 26 acres and contains the only isolated stand of Alaska yellow cedar east of the Cascades in the United States. This grove, is located on the northeast slope of Aldrich Mountain at the head of Buck Cabin Creek.
The majority of the trail is in moderate to heavy timber with only a few scenic vistas. Evidence of old mining and timber activities are visible from the trail. The roads to the western trailhead are extremely rough and not recommended for passenger vehicles. There are loops at both trailheads for easy trailer parking. This trail has very little vertical relief for the first six miles from the eastern end, running relatively close to the contours. The trail is rocky and rough in spots visitors using mountain bikes should be prepared for rocky conditions.
10/31/2020: The group campsite is closed for the season.
Magone Lake Campground is situated along its namesake lake. Visitors enjoy fishing, canoeing, swimming and hiking.
The campground is set in a forest of White Fir and Ponderosa Pine. Magone Lake covers about 50 acres and features both deep holes of up to 100 feet and shoals on the north side. Geologists believe Magone Lake was created by a landslide in the early 1800s.
Public should be aware warmer weather can bring blue-green algae blooms to lakes. Please read the attached information for what to look for and what to do should you encounter a blue-green algae bloom.
Recreation: The Magone Lake area offers swimming, fishing, hiking and mountain biking opportunities. The lake contains eastern brook and rainbow trout. A boat ramp is available on-site. Visitors also enjoy viewing wildflowers and interesting geology throughout the region.
Facilities: The campground offers both a picnic shelter and overnight campsite for groups to reserve. These sites can accommodate up to 75 people each. Individual family sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Picnic tables and campfire rings with grills are provided, as are vault toilets and drinking water.
Magone Lake is a no-wake lake, only boats with 10 horse power or less motors allowed. For hikers there is a trail that leads around the lake Magone Lake Trail #352, another trail near the lake is Magone Slide Trail #353 this trail goes along the original slide that created Magone Lake.
In 2016 the Malheur National Forest in conjunction with Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and Garman to explore the forest under the lake. To view a short video of the sonar and dive that was done please visit:
This 1.5 mile trail is a relatively quiet in spite of its location close to the Magone Lake Recreation Area. The trail ascends slightly over 300 feet through old ponderosa pine stands which were growing when the slide occurred that created Magone Lake about 1860. The trail makes a great hike to warm up after a swim, or for those interested in seeing an interesting geological feature. Within walking distance of Magone Lake Campground this is a great trail for campers or day use visitors.
Follow the Malheur River Trail as it traverses along the steep canyon walls before dropping to scenic river banks of the Malheur Wild and Scenic River, lined with old growth pine, larch, and fir trees. Designated as a Wild and Scenic River this remote trail provides travelers with unrivaled rugged beauty as well as solitude. Stop and fish for red band trout or look for eagles and osprey while negotiating this 7.6 mile trail.
This is not a loop trail. Visitors beginning at the Malheur River Trailhead will have a steep hike up out of the canyon to Hog Flat Trailhead. The trail receives light use and has not been maintained. Watch for rattlesnakes in the summer and fall. The trail is open to hiking and stock use only no OHV or bicycles are allowed on this trail.
This trail allows the recreationist access to the McClellan Mountain Semi-Primitive Roadless Area and is closed to all motorized vehicles. A great trail for hikers and mountainbikers seeking a quiet and secluded adventure. Trailhead is the McClellan Mountain Trailhead.
At the southernmost edge of the Blue Mountains, this area's alpine, once-glaciated ridges offer views across much of eastern Oregon. The lichen-covered 8-foot cylindrical stone monument atop Monument Rock may have been erected by pioneer sheepherders. This is a new Wilderness in the old landscape of the eastern Strawberry Mountains. Established in 1984 by the Oregon Wilderness Act, the 19,620-acre Wilderness spills from the Malheur National Forest onto the adjacent Wallowa-Whitman National Forest. The northern end of the area lies across a watershed divide that separates drainages of the South Fork Burnt River, as well as two National Forests. The area ranges from about 5,200 feet in the lower regions to the 7,815-foot top of Table Rock.
In the lower lands you will find ponderosa pine, depending on where you go. You may also find lodgepole pine, Douglas-fir, white fir, aspen, and juniper. If you look down, you will probably see elk sedge, pinegrass, wheatgrass, huckleberry, bluegrass, and many wildflowers. As you hike higher, you will find subalpine fir, just below the treeless mountain crests.
The area's diverse wildlife habitat is used by bear, deer, elk, badgers, and the rare wolverine. There are 70 species of birds including the creek-loving water ouzel (American dipper) and the pileated woodpecker. The visiting season here generally runs between June and November. The John Day Valley funnels winter storms and summer thundershowers to the mountain ridges here. As a result the area receives 40 inches of annual precipitation, twice as much as the surrounding, arid lowlands. Summer brings hot days and chilly nights. Hunting is the most popular activity, with hiking and backpacking increasing in popularity.
The Strawberry Mountain Wilderness is located east of John Day, Oregon, in the Malheur National Forest. The area includes approximately 68,700 acres and encompasses the headwaters of Pine, Indian, Strawberry, Canyon, Bear, Lake, Wall, Roberts, and Big Creek. The area is dominated by the Strawberry Mountain Range with the highest point being Strawberry Mountain. This area has extremely diverse ecological makeup. Five of the seven major life zones in North America can be found here. It also supports native population of Rocky Mountain Elk and other wildlife. The additions including the Canyon Creek Research Natural Area have improved both the quantity and the quality of the wilderness experience.
The complex geological story of this landscape began millions of years ago with the buckling of an ancient sea floor beneath the area where the western part of the Strawberry Range now rises. Much later, volcanic ash and lava formed the eastern part of the range. Most recently, the glacial ice carved its classic signature--U-shaped valleys--into the mountains. The ice also hollowed out the rock beds that today hold the seven alpine lakes of the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness--rare pleasures in the arid wilderness experience.
In a normal year, most people use the Wilderness between July and November. Snow may be encountered at higher elevations any time of the year. The climate from September is mostly mild, with clear skies. Summertime thunderstorms may occur, usually in cycles lasting several days. Daytime temperatures normally range between 30 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit; nights are cool. Freezing temperatures can occur any time of the year. When you go to the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness, be prepared for hiking in the high country. The land is rugged, and elevations range from 4,000 to the 9,038-foot summit of Strawberry Mountain. Over a hundred miles of trails cross the wilderness, offering vista after vista to the enterprising hiker.
This trail provides access to the south side of the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. The trail climbs in elevation roughly 2300 feet in 5 miles of hiking. Visitors will see beautiful wildflowers in the spring, multiple species of birds as well as many other forest creatures. The trail connects to Skyline Trail #385 which connects to other trails allowing for backpacking and loop hikes of longer distances. Camping is possible all along the trail with good opportunities for solitude. Water is scarce from mid-summer on. The trail passes through areas that were burned in wildfires.
This trail accesses Strawberry Mountain Wilderness and allows for relatively quick access to Wildcat Basin. There are unique geological formations of volcanic origin. Wildcat Spring in Wildcat Basin is one of the few good water sources in the area.
Parking is difficult, but not impossible for stock trailers. Stock water is available at trailhead, as well as tie stalls.
This trail accesses the Canyon Creek Natural Area -- a unique park like stand of old growth ponderosa pine within Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. This trail offers both low and high elevation life zones to explore. The first 1/2 mile of the trail heads slightly downhill across some rocky areas. The rest of the trail has a fairly gentle grade, and it is not very rocky; it is mostly dirt and pine needle surface. There is a wide variety of campsites along this trail.
The trail passes through magnificent old growth Ponderosa Pine, Grand Fir and Western Larch (Tamarack) also take note of the Alder, Sedges and other wetland plants. There are some interesting wet meadows in the first couple of miles of the trail.
East Fork Canyon Creek offers good native cutthroat trout fishing.
This trail provides access to the backbone of the Strawberry Mountains within Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. Hores back riders and hikers can enjoy this trail set amongst Ponderosa Pines in the wilderness. Hikers and horse back riders can each enjoy a day hike or connect to other trails in the wilderness for longer multiday hikes and rides. The trail was burned over in 2015, visitors should be prepared for downed trees and other hazards. This dirt surface trail has an 800 foot elevation gain.
This trail leads along the backbone of the Strawberry Mountains, in the eastern end of the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. It allows access to the upper end of the Big Creek drainage and to both Slide Lake and High Lake. This trail is used primarily by big game hunters and horse users. The west end of the trail was burned in a 1990 fire.
Located within the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness, this trail gives access to the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness Lakes Basin and Strawberry Mountain, climbing through alpine woodland on a journey to lakes, peaks and waterfalls.
The Strawberry Basin Trail, along with Strawberry Campground, is one of our higher use areas. Anticipate other users during summer season and heavy use near holiday weekends. No parking for horse trailers allowed at trailhead. The road is fairly rough for passenger cars.
There is plenty of parking space at the trailhead, with tie stalls for horses available. Stock water is located northeast of the trailhead, approximately 1/4 mile on Forest Service road 651.
11.17.2020: The water has been turned off and the gate closed to the campground for the season.
Trout Farm Campground offers opportunities for picnicking, pond/stream fishing, and hunting. This nice little campground is ideal for families, or the fishing enthusiast. This campground offers a nice pond for fishing with an barrier free path along the pond as well as a barrier free pier. Trout Farm Campground also has a newly renovated covered picnick shelter and running water. A great place to visit near the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness.
Public should be aware warmer weather can bring blue-green algae blooms to lakes. Please read the attached information for what to look for and what to do should you encounter a blue-green algae bloom.
