Mazamas — For the Love of Mountains
Strawberry Mountain is the highest point in the Blue Mountains. It's in the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness, and is located east of John Day, Oregon, in the Malheur National Forest. Although an impressive 9,000+ feet tall, this mountain is a gentle ascent with no technical requirements.
Activity Notes
This climb starts with a 14:00 pack-in to camp at magical Strawberry Lake, just 1.25 miles and 500' feet above the trailhead. At 05:30 on climb day, we will begin our 3,200' ascent to 9,035' Strawberry Mountain. Much of our route will likely be on snow. With ice axes and crampons and/or microspikes, we will have maximum route flexibility. Climbing helmets are required, as is a backpack with an ice axe loop. After the climb we will enjoy the lake view one last time and then pack out. Then each of us may choose to drive five hours home or spend the following two days of a holiday weekend exploring other parts of eastern Oregon. It's still COVID times. No sharing rides or tents unless all carpool/tent partners are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. No sharing unwrapped food on the climb.
| Other Information | |
|---|---|
| Driving Distance from Portland | 250 miles |
| Driving Time from Portland | 7 hours |
| Expected Duration | Car to car in one day |
| Relevant Books | 75 Scrambles in Oregon by Barbara Bond |
| Relevant Maps | Strawberry Mountain Monument Rock Wilderness, 1991, US Forest Service |
| Useful Links | GPS Track GPS Coordinates Map |
