The mountains were calling again...This time the Strawberry Mountains just south of Prairie City, Oregon.
You follow County Rd 60 out of Prairie City, and the paved road soon ends. Continue on the gravel road through ranch land. This sign tells you that a military post was once located here, established in 1865 to aid and escort immigrants traveling through Indian country.
Site of Camp Logan, 1865-1869.
I saw some wildlife on the 10-mile drive to the trailhead Thistle and I planned to hike.
Oops, the cows got out! No farmers around to notify though. It probably happens a lot.
We are heading to the Strawberry Lake Trail.
Three deer crossed the road...only two got in the picture.
The road crosses over Strawberry Creek on a one-lane bridge.
Entering the Malheur National Forest.
And we arrive at the trailhead.
Map of the trails. We hiked past Strawberry Lake as far as Strawberry Falls, about 5 miles round trip.
Off we go!
We enter the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness at the first switchback.
Thistle's excited!
Oops! There's an obstacle up ahead.
She was watching us...
Without any apparent concern.
We stopped because she was right beside the trail.
She didn't want to move, and I didn't want to walk by with Thistle that close.
So we had a little stand-off.
Finally she walked about six feet down the bank and stood there while I walked by with Thistle on a short leash.
She's still watching...
And just ahead there was a spotted fawn down below. I guess that's why momma wasn't going anywhere.
Thistle was very good. He didn't bark or try to chase. Although, if the deer had run, all bets are off. He's looking at the fawn in this picture.
The trail continued to climb through a series of gentle switchbacks.
View of the John Day Valley through the trees.
More wildlife.
I liked the red and white stripe on the cliff.
This area is recovering from fire damage.
A fork in the trail. Another trail crosses here.
Fortunately there's a sign, so I knew which way to go.
You see a lot more downed trees as you get closer to the lake.
Strawberry Lake. Strawberry Mountain is on the left with a few patches of snow still on it.
Fish were jumping like crazy.
I even managed to get a few pictures of them out of the water.
Mountain reflections.
Another fish jumping. I don't know what kind.
The trail continues on to Strawberry Falls and beyond if you want. It crosses many little streams flowing down the mountain to the lake.
Another view of the lake from above.
Climbing again.
This part of the trail is a little more rugged with roots and rocks to navigate.
We stopped for a snack. Thistle finished his already. Now he wants mine.
On we go!
I can see the falls ahead...can you?
Thistle says, wow!
He thought he was going to cross on that log, lol. He turned back when he realized he couldn't.
So we took a selfie.
Lots of pretty wildflowers are growing at the base of the waterfall.
Wildflowers and waterfall.
Want to watch it? Click on the video.
The trail to the right continues on to Little Strawberry Lake and from there to the top of Strawberry Mountain. Too long a hike for us. People who do that generally spend the night tent-camping along the trail. We took the trail back to the parking lot.
More colorful flora along the trail.
I though I saw an eagle fly by...
Yep, there he is. Probably after one of those jumping fish.
He's in that tree across the lake.
One more view of Strawberry Lake. What a beautiful day and beautiful hike!
When a shadow flies by...look up! I think this is another Cooper's Hawk, but I didn't look him up.
Had to stop and get a picture of this bull with Strawberry mountain in the background.
That smoke is from a forest fire about 20 miles away. I've been monitoring it. It doesn't look as bad today as it did yesterday.
Just a picturesque old barn.
And a cute little Kestrel.
A different style of barn.
This is what that fire looked like yesterday out my RV window.
And this is the glow of sunset last night on the clouds of smoke. It was really pretty. Hopefully the fire will be out soon. I'll be moving on.
