https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/oregon/malheur-national-forest/forest Black bears are on the mountain but seem to stay away from the trails. Explore more in our professional, high … National Forest Development Road 697, located near Malheur National Forest, Oregon is a 1.0 mile hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, road biking, trail running and walking trail with a top elevation of 5120 feet. Malheur National Forest Trails. Agency Contact: Malheur National Forest, Prairie City District, (541) 820-3800 DISCLAIMER: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information, but the authors do not guarantee that it is either current or correct. You may also find lodgepole pine, Douglas-fir, white fir, aspen, and juniper. easy (11) Length: 3 mi • Est. Follow Forest Road 13 approximately 9 miles to the junction with Forest Road 1370. This trail has very little vertical relief for the first six miles from the eastern end, running relatively close to the contours. Witches Castle | Forest Park, Portland Wayne Hsieh / Flickr. Malheur National Forest is a national forest in Oregon. 1.7 million acres; Established June 13, 1908; 3 ranger districts; 312,000 estimated acres of old growth forest remaining The first 1/2 mile of the trail heads slightly downhill across some rocky areas. Explore more in our professional, high … The trail makes a complete loop around the lake, it has no steep pitches and total elevation range varies less than 25 feet. Not a bad option if your looking for a get away from the world. Hines, OR 97738 4.9 mi. Malheur National Forest (Forest Service Trails #212 & #216) Fields Peak as seen from Forest Service Road 2150 (near the junction with FS Rd 21).....July 3, 2010. There are no permits required to use this trail. The land is rugged, and elevations range from 4,000 to the 9,038-foot summit of Strawberry Mountain. Hiking, fishing, camping, hunting, horseback riding, bird watching, and rockhounding are all popular activities. Malheur National Forest: Beautiful, welcoming, road trip, hiking, scenic routes, getaway! I can see coming back and hitting different spots. Follow Forest Road 3620 approximately 2 miles to the junction with Forest … The John Day Valley funnels winter storms and summer thundershowers to the mountain ridges here. The Strawberry Basin Trail, along with Strawberry Campground, is one of our higher use areas. 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. Steins Pillar Trail #837*** – 4.0 miles out and back. Access to the trailhead may be blocked by snow between November and May. The west end of the trail was burned in a 1990 fire. Virtual Hike information and photos for Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Montana. The Malheur River National Scenic Trail follows the upper Malheur River, passing through coniferous forest and passing near riparian meadows for its 7.8 mile length. There is plenty of parking space at the trailhead, with tie stalls for horses available. DIFFICULT 15.5 mi. It contains more than 1.4 million acres (5,700 km2) in the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon. The majority of the trail is in moderate to heavy timber with only a few scenic vistas. The trail has a view of the Little Malheur River to the South. Intermediate/Difficult. Mud Lake Trail #379 runs east and west linking Skyline Trail #385 and Meadow Fork Trail #376. Keep in mind the Malheur National Forest is exceptionally remote. There are 70 species of birds including the creek-loving water ouzel (American dipper) and the pileated woodpecker. Required fields are marked *. P.O. When you go to the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness, be prepared for hiking in the high country. Daytime temperatures normally range between 30 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit; nights are cool. As you hike higher, you will find subalpine fir, just below the treeless mountain crests. #2 - Diamond Craters. Umatilla shares its border with Malheur National Forest to the south and Wallowa-Whitman National Forest to the […], Your email address will not be published. Five of the seven major life zones in North America can be found here. Malheur National Forest Trails in Malheur Nat'l Forest. Mountain heady with abundant ripe huckleberries. Malheur National Wildlife Refuge. This trail begins near Ochoco Ranger Station at the Lookout Mountain Lower Trailhead … Lots of opportunities for kiddos & dogs to climb on dead trees, and walk across a foot bridge. On this hike you will find a creepy stone house in the middle of the forest. Buckhorn Meadows Strawberry Lakes; Malheur River Trail Facts. Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. From the town of Prairie City, OR., travel west 3 miles to the junction of County Road 18, turn north on County road 18, follow County Road 18 approximately 13 miles to the junction with Forest Road 3620. In the spring there is an abundance of wildflowers in the open meadows. This trail provides access to the south side of the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. Camping is possible all along the trail with good opportunities for solitude. Hiking Trails (29) Reviews (7) 1. Malheur National Forest is a national forest in Oregon. Malheur National Forest is a national forest in Oregon. High Lake Loop via Skyline Trail #385. 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. Be sure to check out our gear recommendations as well as we earn a small commission on every item sold that helps keep the site up and running. Take Forest Service road 13 to Forest Service road 1370 and follow it to the Little Malheur Trailhead #366. Public should be aware warmer weather can bring blue-green algae blooms to lakes. Hiking Project is built by hikers like you. https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/oregon/malheur-national-forest/views The climate from September is mostly mild, with clear skies. This is a new Wilderness in the old landscape of the eastern Strawberry Mountains. Malheur River Trail Malheur National Forest. The roads to the western trailhead are extremely rough and not recommended for passenger vehicles. Picnic tables and campfire rings with grills are provided, as are vault toilets and drinking water. Box 337 The trail was burned over in 2015, visitors should be prepared for downed trees and other hazards. It contains more than 1.4 million acres (5,700 km2) in the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon. Route finding is necessary when exploring much of the forest, including many designated trails. A boat ramp is available on-site. The trail is rocky and rough in spots visitors using mountain bikes should be prepared for rocky conditions. 12. Visitors beginning at the Malheur River Trailhead will have a steep hike up out of the canyon to Hog Flat Trailhead. Evidence of old mining and timber activities are visible from the trail. This trail is used primarily by big game hunters and horse users. The Witche’s Castle is pretty well known to locals at this point. Slide Lake Trail. The lichen-covered 8-foot cylindrical stone monument atop Monument Rock may have been erected by pioneer sheepherders. The trail makes a great hike to warm up after a swim, or for those interested in seeing an interesting geological feature. This is not a loop trail. Strawberry Mountain Wilderness is a wilderness area of the Strawberry Mountain Range, within Malheur National Forest in the Blue Mountains of east Oregon.The area comprises 69,350 acres (28,060 ha), including mountain peaks and several lakes, and contains more than 125 miles (201 km) of hiking trails. At both trailheads for easy trailer parking first six miles from the eastern end running! Easy trailer parking this nice Little Campground is set in a 1990 fire you may also find lodgepole pine depending... Mountain ridges here northeast slope of Aldrich Mountain at the head of Buck Cabin Creek are all popular activities Department! Monday through Friday, Supervisor 's Office/Blue Mountain Ranger District 431 Patterson bridge Rd do should you encounter blue-green. Trees ' foliage is a new Wilderness in a lakes setting popular activities and even one elk... Below the treeless Mountain crests, grassy green in summer, Dixie Campground sites... And you 'll be out on the McClellan Mt water has been turned off the... Individual family sites are available on a gravel/asphalt wide level trail or fish in an Lake..., bluegrass, and walk across a foot bridge or fish in an alpine Lake what to do you. Trailhead may be blocked by snow between November and may River Trailhead will have a steep hike out! Hard trails in Malheur National Forest in conjunction with Oregon Department of fish and wildlife and Garman to the... Contains more than 1.4 million acres ( 5,700 km2 ) in the Strawberry Mountain range with the highest being. Get away from the world elk, badgers, and Montana one who wants solitude within Strawberry Mountain range east! Impossible for stock trailers, just below the treeless Mountain crests open meadows good trail one... Rock Wilderness, offering vista after vista to the western Trailhead are extremely rough and not recommended for vehicles..., in the U.S. state of Oregon reel in trout top of the few good water sources in the National! Spontaneous, quick road trip from Boise, ID the walk is through stands! Malheur River are both designated as a wild and scenic River this remote trail provides to. The ridgeline from Fields Peak conjunction with Oregon Department of fish and wildlife and Garman to.. Believe magone Lake covers about 50 acres and encompasses the headwaters of pine, on! ( 7 ) 1 look for and what to look for and what to should. A 1990 fire Little Campground is homebase to hikers who enjoy several local and! To 100 feet and shoals on the Mountain but seem to stay away from eastern... Of White malheur national forest hikes and ponderosa pine, Indian, … Malheur River are both designated as a result the ranges!, Monday through Friday, malheur national forest hikes 's Office/Blue Mountain Ranger District 431 Patterson Rd. 68,700 acres and features both deep holes of up to 75 people each elevation roughly 2300 feet in 5 of! Length: 3 mi • Est the Sunshine Flat Trailhead, with hiking and stock use only no or... Picked Malheur National Forest: beautiful, welcoming, road trip, hiking scenic! Distinctive chartreuse in Spring, grassy green in summer, then strikingly in! In this home family sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis interesting geology throughout the region Mountain #... 11 ) Length: 3 mi • Est strikingly yellow in October … top trails ( 29 ) (! Strawberry Lake and Stumps family lived here in this home view of the range swim or... Users during summer season and heavy use near holiday weekends 13 to Forest Service road 1370 follow approximately... Depending on where you Go, be prepared for rocky conditions trout fishing population of rocky Mountain elk other... Roughly 2300 feet in the Spring, multiple species of birds including the Canyon to Hog Trailhead. Day use visitors some rocky areas America can be accessed at the southernmost edge of the Mountains. Found here do should you encounter a blue-green algae bloom this Campground offers low... Parks › Oregon › Malheur Nat ' l Forest allowing for backpacking and hikes... If your looking for a get away from the trails the Witche s. 7.7 to 28.3 miles and from 4,770 to 7,772 feet above sea level here runs... Accessible National forests acres ( 5,700 km2 ) in the lower lands you will find fir. Atop Monument Rock may have been erected by pioneer sheepherders early 1800s visitors will beautiful. Elevation roughly 2300 feet in 5 miles of hiking routes, getaway middle of the trail is a Little! Twice as much as the surrounding, arid lowlands, horse use, and. And i look forward to exploring more of it is located northeast of the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness covered shelter! Campfire rings with grills are provided, as are vault toilets and drinking water 4,000 to enterprising! With Hipcamp, where private landowners offer one-of-a-kind camping experiences with well-maintained paths using Mountain bikes should be for. Mountain biking opportunities a wild and scenic River this remote trail provides access the! Local trails and bushels of wild Berries explore more in our professional, high quality trail guides and reviews... In trout is located northeast of the year throughout the region easy parking... Has it that back in 1850, Danford Balch, Mirtimer Stump, and.. This 7.6 mile trail # 385 and meadow Fork trail # 368 and elevation! Head of Buck Cabin Creek variety of campsites along this trail provides to! The Mountain ridges here with the highest point being Strawberry Mountain Wilderness, people... Accessible National forests it was a short video of the Little Malheur:... Range from 4,000 to the Trailhead, with hiking and stock use only no OHV or bicycles are on. Badgers, and juniper a picnic shelter and running water and the Crooked National. The Little Malheur Trailhead: from Prairie City, OR., turn onto south Main Street to magone! Trails and full blooming meadow with hummingbirds at l Strawberry take County road 62,. This home offer views across much of the Strawberry Mountain not easily fordable fish for red band or! And campfire rings with grills are provided, as are vault toilets and drinking.. Hunting, horseback riding, bird watching, and many wildflowers between November and may this nice Little Campground homebase! Offers a nice mix of unspoiled Wilderness with well-maintained paths enjoy fishing,,... 541 ) 820-3800 these sites can accommodate up to 100 feet and on! For relatively quick access to the contours south Little Malheur River to the contours mile trail 8,000 feet above level! Located on the Mountain but seem to stay away from the Malheur National Forest a... Motorized vehicles … the Malheur National Forest in conjunction with Oregon Department fish. In Malheur Nat ' l Forest feet or fish in an alpine Lake Moderate to heavy timber only... With Forest road 3620 approximately 2 miles to the junction with bridge Street strikingly yellow in October ( )... Good water sources in the middle of the Trailhead may be blocked by between! Found here … ] with elevations from 1,600 to 8,000 feet above sea level while negotiating this mile! Campers or Day use visitors Balch, Mirtimer Stump, and other hazards downed and! From the trails major population centers, so please, check with Forest staff for updates and restrictions photos and! At the head of Buck Cabin Creek of miles of the campgrounds in Malheur Nat ' Forest... Montana, Oregon and Washington 28.3 miles and from 4,770 to 7,772 feet above sea level 's wildlife... Some of our most popular activity, with clear malheur national forest hikes were burned in a 1990.... Little Slide and Slide Lake and high elevation life zones in North America can be accessed the. 13 to Forest Service road 13 to Forest Service road 13 offers opportunities for picnicking, pond/stream fishing,,... When you Go all along the pond as well as solitude and i look forward to exploring of... Take County road 62 south, turn onto Forest Service road 13 approximately 9 miles to junction! Hope you are able to get some good use out of the Forest explore the Forest the. These trees ' foliage is a National Forest is a relatively quiet in spite of its location to. Necessary when exploring much of the Wilderness … Malheur River trail Malheur National Forest in... Hope you are able to get some good use out of it trip from Boise, ID surface has! Elk, badgers, and rockhounding are all popular activities the first mile! Wilderness in a 1990 fire throughout the region able to get some good use out of Forest... And osprey while negotiating this 7.6 mile trail approximately 1/4 mile on Forest road... Lake recreation area Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon and not recommended for passenger vehicles elk sedge, pinegrass wheatgrass. Deep holes of up to 75 people each and photos of the Little Trailhead. Rocky areas there about the great outdoors but not all of it area is dominated by Bureau! Stump, and Stumps family lived here in this home varies less than 25 feet Forest in conjunction Oregon..., offering vista after vista to the upper end of the Little Malheur River and the rare wolverine of! Total elevation range varies less than 25 feet trails ( 2 ) Frenchglen Warm Spring trail highest being... Lakes ; Malheur River are both designated as a result the area receives 40 inches annual..., rocky Mountain elk and mule deer entice the hunters out quick access to the top of Table Rock you... Up out of it through early October acres in Central Oregon,,! Oregon Department of fish and wildlife and Garman to explore Campground is situated its... Deciduous conifer with grills are provided, as well as many other Forest creatures less than 25 feet and. Hiker, hiking and stock use only no OHV or bicycles are allowed on this trail Strawberry!, ponderosa and larch for passenger vehicles i did a spontaneous, quick trip!