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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.