Strawberry Range

The Strawberry Range, also known as the Strawberry Mountains, is a mountain range in the U.S. state of Oregon.[2] It is east of John Day, within Malheur National Forest. The highest peak is Strawberry Mountain.[3]

Strawberry Range
Lower Strawberry Lake with the Palisades in the background
Highest point
PeakStrawberry Mountain[1]
Elevation2,750 m (9,020 ft)
Coordinates44°18′45″N 118°43′00″W [2]
Geography
Location of Strawberry Range in Oregon
CountryUnited States
StateOregon
DistrictGrant County
Range coordinates44°18′29.577″N 118°35′3.789″W
Topo mapUSGS Roberts Creek

The Strawberry Range is part of the larger Blue Mountains range, and contains the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. Pioneers named Strawberry Mountain after observing prolific wild strawberries growing in a nearby valley.[4]

The area has extremely diverse ecological composition, which includes five of seven major life zones in North America. Indigenous populations of Rocky Mountain Elk exist as well as mule deer, antelope, black bear, cougar, California bighorn sheep, ruffed and blue grouse, pileated woodpecker, sharp-shinned hawk, bald eagle, pine marten, mink, beaver. There are 378 animal and 22 fish species present.[3]

Mountain goats are seen at the higher elevations of the Palisades ridge as of Aug 7 2016. A hunting tag for mountain goats on the Strawberry Mountain was issued for the first time in 2014 by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.[5]

Recreation
Strawberry Lake

Normal hiking season is July to November, though snow may be encountered at any time of the year at higher elevations.[3] Strawberry Camp, 1.3 miles (2.1 km) downstream from the Strawberry Lake along Strawberry Creek, is connected to the lake by a hiking trail. The trail continues upstream 1.2 miles (1.9 km) from the lake to 40-foot (12 m) Strawberry Falls and then another 0.6 miles (1.0 km) to Little Strawberry Lake. Another trail leads from Strawberry Falls 6.3 miles (10.1 km) to the peak of Strawberry Mountain.[6]

References
  1. "Strawberry Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
  2. "Strawberry Range". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
  3. "Malheur National Forest - Recreational Activities". US Forest Service. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
  4. "Strawberry Mountain hike". The Oregonian. September 26, 2007. Retrieved 2008-12-05.
  5. "Goat tag available for Strawberry Mountain for first time". Blue Mountain Eagle. April 29, 2014. Retrieved September 3, 2017.
  6. Sullivan, pp. 247–52
  • The view of the Strawberry Mountains from County Road 18.
  • Strawberry Lake in the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness.
  • Strawberry Lake with Strawberry Mountain in the background.
  • The Strawberry Mountains from the Highway 26 viewpoint northeast of Prairie City.
  • The Strawberry Mountains from an overlook near Prairie City.
  • Red Basin at Strawberry Mountain.
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