Skyline Trail #385

Area Status: Unreachable

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.

Skyline Trail Brochure

At a Glance

Current Conditions:	Visitors should be prepared for rapidly changing weather conditions. Please remember that if you pack it in, please pack it out with you.
Usage:	Light
Restrictions:	Wilderness Regulations apply
Closest Towns:	John Day, ORPrairie City, OR
Information Center:	Prairie City Ranger District

General Information

Directions:

From the town of Prairie City, OR., turn onto South Main Street. Follow South Main Street to the junction with Bridge Street, turn left onto Bridge Street. Follow Bridge Street past the local cemetary the road then becomes County Road 62, continue on County Road 62 for approximately 17 miles to the junction with Forest Road 101 on the right. Turn on to Forest Road 101 and follow for approximately 1 mile to the trailhead.

Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Day Hiking

Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:

Skyline Trailhead

Hikers on this trail can enjoy hiking through a wide range of landscapes. Starting in lightly timbered areas the trail weaves in and out of the timber, traveling past areas burned by wildfire in 1990. Hikers can connect to the Slide Basin Trail #372 allowing access to Slide Lake.

Continuing on Skyline Trail will lead hikers past High Lake, seeing the beauty of the lake as well as the fascinating geolocial formations throughout the area.

Backpacking

Recreation areas with activity Backpacking:

For those looking for a multiday backpacking experience Skyline Trail provides multiple options. This 17.8 mile trail travels through an area that was burnt in 1990 allowing hikers to see nature recover from the effects of wildfire.

Connecting to other trails such as Slide Basin Trail #372 that will allow hikers to connect with the Strawberry Basin Trail #375 leading to beautiful sites such as Strawberry Lake, Strawberry Falls and Little Strawberry Lake. From Strawberry Basin Trail #375 hikers can connect to Onion Creek Trail #368 tieing into Roads End Trail #201A. From Roads End Trailhead hikers can then go to High Lake Trail which is the other end of the Skyline Trail.

Those wishing to explore the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness further can hike the Skyline Trail to it's end at High Lakes Trailhead, from there connecting over to the Roads End Trail #201A. From the Roads End Trail #201A hikers can connect to Pine Creek Trail #201 allowing for connections to many more trails allowing for wonderful multiday hiking experiences.

Skyline Trail #385 is a great starting point for anyone wanting to hike to the multiple beautiful lakes in the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness, see a diverse landscape.

Horse Riding

Recreation areas with activity Horse Riding:

Riders can enjoy single or multy day rides through the wilderness using the Skyline Trail as a starting point. Ride through diverse scenery from lightly timbered areas to heavily timbered areas opening up into beautiful open meadows. The trail connects to many others allowing riders to see multiple lakes throughout the wilderness or simply having a quiet ride and seeing amazing geological features.

Riders can connect to the Slide Basin Trail #372 which connects to the Strawberry Basin Trail #385. From the Slide Basin Trail #372 riders can choose to ride into Slide Lake or head west and ride into Strawberry Lake, Strawberry Falls or Little Strawberry Lake. If riders choose to continue and connect with the Onion Creek Trail #368 to meet with Roads End Trail #201A be prepared for a steep ride. From Roads End Trailhead riders can then leave the trail for a short distance to reach the High Lake Trailhead which is the western end of the Skyline Trail, allowing riders to loop back to the Skyline Trailhead.

Big Game Hunting

Recreation areas with activity Big Game Hunting:

From fall through winter big game hunting is very popular in the area. Rocky Mountain Elk and Mule Deer are popular game for hunters. For more information regarding regulations and license information please visit Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Viewing Wildlife

Recreation areas with activity Viewing Wildlife:

The Skyline Trail affords many opportunities for visitors to see a large variety of wildlife. Wildlife range from big game animals such as Rocky Mountain Elk, Mule Deer, mountain goats, cougar, and black bear to a large variety of birds. Smaller creatures such as squirrels and chipmunks can also be seen throughout the wilderness and along the trail.