C6
Journey
Blue Mountain Eagle
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
AROUND THE WILDERNESS
Strawberry Lake and Logan Valley spared by ire
By Sean Hart
Blue Mountain Eagle
D
espite the Canyon
Creek Complex ire
that burned through
much of the Straw-
berry Mountain Wilderness
southeast of John Day in
2015, most of the roads in the
area are open, and few of the
campgrounds are within the
ire boundary.
While some closures are
still in effect — such as Forest
Roads 1516 and parts of 1518
and 1520 as well as the Can-
yon Meadows Campground
— it is still possible to travel
through and around the ire
area on well maintained roads
to a variety of recreational
opportunities, such as hiking,
biking, ishing and camping.
Whether you choose a
short drive and hike to Straw-
berry Lake in the wilderness
area or a longer loop around
the wilderness through Logan
The Eagle/Sean Hart
Campers enjoy Big Creek Campground in June.
Valley, you can easily ind ar-
eas where the majestic forest
remains.
Strawberry Lake
One of the quickest op-
tions is Strawberry Lake on
the northeastern side of the
wilderness area, which did not
See LOGAN, Page C7
SAVE $ on GAS!
DIAL-A-RIDE 541-575-2370
John Day, Canyon City,
Mt. Vernon, Prairie City Areas
M-F 8 am - 5 pm
Sat urday 9 am - 4 pm
BEND RUN
Every Monday,
Wednesday & Friday
BURNS RUN
Every Thursday
WALLA WALLA RUN
Every Tuesday
MONUMENT TO JOHN DAY
Every Thursday
Call for complete schedules
www.grantcountypeoplemover.com
If you go
The loop around the Straw-
berry Mountain Wilderness
area is simple and easily
accessible in the summer.
From John Day, take
Highway 395 south about
10 miles. Turn southeast
on County Road 65, which
becomes Forest Road 15.
Turn east on Forest Road 16
through Logan Valley. Turn
north on County Road 62 to
Prairie City. Return west on
Highway 26 to John Day.
Alternatively, you can
take a slightly longer route
through Seneca. From John
Day, take Highway 395
south to Seneca. Turn east
on Forest Road 16 through
Logan Valley and continue
the loop.
Strawberry Lake is not on
the loop, but it’s only about
11 miles south of Prairie City
on County Road 60.
Note: The Forest Service
plans to open roads as
hazards are removed, and
other developments, such as
new ires or road work, could
cause other closures. For
updates, contact the Forest
Service, 541-575-3000, or
visit fs.usda.gov/recmain/
malheur/recreation.
The Eagle/Sean Hart
S ATURDAY , A UG . 13
AT 8:30 PM
IN THE
G RANDSTANDS .
C ALL F AIRGROUNDS FOR
T ICKET A VAILABLILITY .
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Sammy Kershaw
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Grant County Fair Presents
The Malheur River just north of Malheur Ford, where Forest Road 1651
meets the river.
Snaffle Bit Dinner House
Proudly serving John Day and welcoming
travelers for over 10 years
• Delicious steaks
& ribs
• Great drink selection
• Soups & salads
• Hamburgers
• Pastas, seafood
and more!
Please call for hours and reservations
541-575-2426
830 S. Canyon Blvd., John Day
Blue Mt.
MINI MARKET
333333
3333333
3
Contributed photo
Strawberry Falls
S uds
Pub
We have
Friday night
barbecue,
Taco Tuesdays!
541-575-1900
Plenty of snacks, beverages and gas.
Stock up before you head
130 Mountain Blvd. • Mt. Vernon
out of town!
541-932-4333
Fill up with the good stuff,
non-ethanol premium.
Open Mon.-Thur. 2-8
Fri. & Sat. 2-11 • Sun 12-7