| 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 visitors will find ponderosa pine, depending on where visitors go. Visitors may also find lodge pole pine, Douglas-fir, white fir, aspen, and juniper. If visitors look down, they will probably see elk sedge, pine grass, wheatgrass, huckleberry, bluegrass, and many wildflowers. As visitors hike higher, they will find subal pine fir, just below the treeless mountain crests. The area's diverse wildlife habitat includes 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 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. Hunting is the most popular activity, with hiking and backpacking increasing in popularity. |
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| | | Facilities: Monument Rock Wilderness does not provide facilities. Best Time To Visit: The visiting season here generally runs between June and November. Summer brings hot days and chilly nights. Fees: No fees are charged. Accessibility: There is no handicap accessibility. Rules: Do not litter. Directions: To reach Monument Rock Wilderness from Baker City, start out going northeast on US-26 Highway toward Southeast Washington Street and continue to follow for 15.3 miles. Turn left onto OR-7 and continue to follow for 50.6 miles. Turn left onto 3rd Street for 0.3 miles. This Wilderness can be accessed from Prairie City via County Road 62 and Forest Road No. 13 and 1370. Map: Click here for a map to Monument Rock Wilderness Reservations: Reservations are not needed or accepted for Monument Rock Wilderness. | | |
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| | | | | Address | | Prairie City Ranger District-Malheur National Forest | | P.O. Box 337 | | Prairie City, Oregon 97869 |
| | | Phone | | General: (541) 820-3311 | | TTY: (541) 820-3817 | |
| | | | | Website | | Email |
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