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About The Blue Mountain eagle. (John Day, Or.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (March 25, 2015)
e xplor e LIKE A LOCAL JINA CARNIGLIA PHOTO High places and low places and everywhere in between – if you enjoy hiking, Grant County has a variety of trails to offer. From short, nearby jaunts to long, remote treks; from lofty mountain peaks to the low valley floor; and from open, painted hills to shaded, lush forests – there’s bound to be a trail to suit your taste and ability. HALEY HUECKMAN One of Haley Heuckman’s favorite ways to explore Grant County is on foot, finding scenic vistas unreachable by vehicle. “Hiking in Grant County is remote, challenging, and you find lots of solitude,” she said. Hueckman grew up in John Day and is co-owner of Station 62 in Canyon City, a one-stop shop for clothing, coffee and gifts; she’s also an artist, painting and drawing. She discovered many new hiking areas a few years ago while working for USFS trails and recreation. She helped map trails and surveyed human impact on campsites in the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. “Working for the Forest Service, I found out about remote trails that are in the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness that aren’t as highly frequented,” she said, adding, “There aren’t fees or permits required to hike in the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness.” “My favorite trail is the Joaquin Miller Trail in the Strawberries,” she said. “It’s one of the more difficult trails.” She noted those trekking with pets will want to be aware the hike isn’t near water. For a high-elevation hike, she recommends the trail to the summit of Strawberry Mountain at 9,038 feet – the trailhead is at Strawberry campground. “In recent years, I’ve taken up backpacking, and my favorite is the Skyline Trail,” she said. “It’s pretty cool to know you hiked our mountains through the wilder- ness from Prairie City to Canyon City – it’s 17.8 miles. I like that you don’t hear any cars – it’s the solitude of it.” For more information on hiking in the area, visit http://www.fs.usda.gov/activity/malheur/recre- ation/hiking online, or call the Malheur Forest Supervisor’s Office, 541-575-3000. So grab your backpack, pack a lunch, or head out after lunch, and let your feet lead you on your next Grant County adventure. EASIEST TRAILS ARCH ROCK TRAIL - Trail #258, Blue Mountain Ranger District, Malheur National Forest (MNF), Open: April to November, Length: 0.3 miles, Elevation: 3,968’ - 4,270’, Use: Light, Hiking: Horses allowed, Mountain Biking and ATVs prohibited. ROADS END TRAIL - Trail #201A, Blue Mountain Ranger District, MNF, Open: July to October, Length: 1.5 miles, Elevation: 8,000’ - 4,270’, Use: Moderate, Hiking: Horses allowed, Mountain Biking and ATVs prohibited. NORTH FORK MALHEUR TRAIL - Trail #381, Prairie City Ranger District, MNF, Open: April to November, Length: 12.4 miles, Elevation: 4,000’ - 4,880’, Use: Light, Hiking: Horses and Biking allowed, ATVs prohibited. MODERATE TRAIL MALHEUR RIVER TRAIL - Trail #303, Emigrant Creek Ranger District, MNF, Open: April to November, Length: 7.6 miles, Elevation: 4,400’ - 4,620’, Use: Light to Medium, Hiking: Horses allowed, Mountain Biking and ATVs prohibited. MORE DIFFICULT TRAILS JOAQUIN MILLER TRAIL - Trail #219, Blue Mountain Ranger District, MNF, Open: June to November, Length: 6.0 miles, Elevation: 5,600’ - 7,700’, Use: Light, Hiking: Horses allowed, Mountain Biking and ATVs prohibited. MALHEUR RAIL TRAIL - Trail #382, Prairie City Ranger District, MNF, Open: May to October, Length: 12.5 miles, Elevation: 4,000’ - 9,038’, Use: Light, Hiking: Horses allowed, Mountain Biking and ATVs prohibited.
