John Day

Frazier Point Lookout is a decommissioned lookout off of US-395 between Burns and John Day.It is a drive into the activation zone with a passenger car summit. The final push to the tower is a bit steep and rocky, but it’s not necessary to drive there.

Google maps provides accurate directions. Basically, off of US-395 turn East onto paved forest road NF-17. Follow it to NF-295 which becomes NF_1630. Then take NF-849 to the top. There are signs and everything!

I used the clothes line pole to attach my antenna pole. The stairway to the tower is blocked.

Gold Hill is a short steep BW off of US-395 between John Day and Burns. To get there turn west on NF-31 a mostly paved road at 43.8136, -118.9831. turn right at 43.9528, -119.0760 on to FR 3765. then right again at 43.9710, -119.0594. onto NF 62. Arrive at 43.97597, -119.03468 and BW up to the summit. Note that it is a bit steep, but there is a cat track most of the way and it is open forest in any case. Forested top with no views, but plenty of shade which was welcome in August.

Hike: 2 miles RT Bushwhack

Elevation Gain: 500 feet

There are eight Round Tops in Oregon although two of them add another word to the name. This one is a few miles north and a bit east of John Day Oregon as the radio signal flies.

To get there, turn north from US 26 on Keeny Creek Road, AKA FR 18. Get to Four Corners (44.5404, -118.8427) and turn left (west) on good gravel road FR 36. Proceed to FR 544 at 44.52833, -118.88636.

Hike: 2 miles RT

Elevation Gain: 500 feet

Hike RT 0 – 2 miles

Elevation Gain 0 - 129 feet

New (and Improved!) Lake Butte 6260 W7O/NE-264

There are three options for getting to this peak.

Priusable road: Hike 4.2 miles RT with 900 ft elevation gain.

High clearance 4x4: Hike from a hunting camp 2.75 miles and 700 ft elevation gain.

High clearance 4x4 and willing copilot: Hike 1.75 miles and 500 ft of gain

Peak 6100, which I am calling Lemcke Peak, as the only thing near it with a name is Lemcke Spring.

Lick Benchmark is a six point summit located near John Day Oregon. It is a bit more than ½ miles round trip and 420 feet of elevation gain. So a bit steep. Trail starts at 44.5755, -118.7617. There is a wide spot to park and turn around there. There is an old jeep track that turns into a trail for a bit and then disappears. It is not a bad bushwhack though, in terms of whacking bushes. The benchmark is on a rock outcropping at the summit. Outcropping is low enough that one does not have to operate on it, although there was a good spot.

Cougar Rock is a six point peak near John Day Oregon. It is 3 miles round trip with 750 feet of elevation gain. Roads are good to the trailhead at 44.5806, -118.7918. The start of the hike is a rough road that was closed to motor vehicle travel when we were there. The road walk is about ¾ of a mile, but doesn’t gain much elevation. So enjoy that part of the walk. We turned off the road at 44.5825, -118.8026.. It’s a bushwhack from there. There are some dead fall to step over, but mostly its just steep. The summit itself is a pile of rocks with filtered views.

Coal Pit Mountain is a six point summit near Mt. Vernon Oregon. It is a 1.5 mile hike round trip with 600 feet of elevation gain. It starts on an old jeep track/ATV trail that climbs straight up to the ridge line. From there just follow the ridge to the summit. Trail starts at 44.2991, -119.1059.

Driving directions on the Ingle Mtn write up.

http://www.pnwsota.org/blog/wj7wj/2022-october-07/ingle-mountain-or-sep…