Pets allowed
Allowed
Elevation Gain
6,039.00 ft (1,840.69 m)
Trail type
Loop
Distance
20.20 mi (32.51 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

With so many incredible trails and destinations to visit in the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness, one of the best ways to experience it is with a multi-day loop that tours the wilderness area's highlights. Starting from below Strawberry Lake, a loop trail will take you by Strawberry Falls, High Lake, and Slide Lake. Short spur trails also lead to Little Strawberry Lake and to Strawberry Mountain's summit at 9,033 feet, two destinations not to be missed if you want to get a full appreciation of this remarkable area.

One of the most remarkable features of the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness is its isolation. Although the major access is only 11 miles outside of Prairie City, the nearest true population center is well over 100 miles away. The area comprises over 69,000 acres and has over 100 miles of hiking trails. Mountain goats, bighorn sheep, elk, deer, black bears and mountain lions are just a sampling of large mammals that make a home in the area.

The trail wanders through pine, fir, and larch, and it gets more exposed at higher elevations. Parts of the southern portion of the loop pass through areas where forest fires have left skeleton-like trees, which means there is plenty of sun exposure. Luckily, these areas only make up a short part of the trail. The shores of Little Strawberry Lake, Little Slide Lake, and High Lake sit at the base of high cliffs and scree fields, where you'll have a good chance of seeing mountain goats combing the rock slopes above.

Visiting Strawberry Mountain Wilderness is best in late September to early October. You'll want to avoid the last traces of snowfall that can last into August and the mosquitoes that are inevitable at higher elevations, especially one with seven alpine lakes. You can fish in each of the lakes, camp at backcountry sites found readily along the way, and if you're lucky, get a few places to camp all to yourself.

The loop can be started from below Strawberry Lake or from the other side near High Lake. Starting from Strawberry Lake is highly recommended. The access road to the trailhead is much easier to travel, and you'll get the majority of the elevation gain out of the way on the first day as opposed to leaving a major hill to climb for the last day. Parking is free at both trailheads. Come prepared for variable weather, even if you are visiting in the summer. Campsites at High Lake are over 7,000 feet in elevation, and it will get very cool at night, even on hot summer days.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Summer
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Solitude. Great views. Wildlife encounters.

Cons

May encounter a few hunters during hunting season.

Trailhead Elevation

5,748.00 ft (1,751.99 m)

Features

Backcountry camping
Waterfalls
Big Game Watching
Wildlife
Big vistas
Wildflowers
Fishing

Typically multi-day

No

Suitable for

Horseback

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

John Day + Blue Mountains Area, Oregon
John Day + Blue Mountains Area, Oregon
  •  

Comments

08/21/2017
Just did this trip for the solar eclipse. The area was packed but there was still room to find out of the way campsites if you stayed away from the big lake. Half of the trail up to the mountain is basically a scree field. Trails were all really nicely maintained and marked when necessary.
We parked at Roads End. When going to Roads End, follow the signs for the 1640 down the gravel road NOT Google Maps which will direct you down a bumpy dirt road where you will need a high clearance vehicle and it will merge back with the gravel road anyway. I'm so sorry white Hyundai guy. Even Prius models made it up on the gravel road.
08/12/2017
I just did this with my 13 year-old son over 3 days. Tremendous trip. It is true there is a large amount of fire and beetle damage in much of the forest on this loop. The bonus is those open areas have been overgrown with spectacular wildflowers which were just alive with the bees buzzing and thousands of butterflies. We found ample water, even in the meadow below the mountain. Mosquitos were not bad, but its been very dry this summer. It would be wise to check the smoke conditions at this time of year. The inevitable forest fires burning across the west caused dense smoke to block views from the vistas. Overall a very memorable trip for well-prepared but rookie backpackers.
A few friends of mine ran this route on 7-24-17. Great route! A few small snow patches to get around but nothing too bad. Views from summit of Strawberry Mtn are tremendous. Trail is in a great shape. Its a rugged, fun course. Thank you for sharing the route.
Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment?
Sign In and share them.