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!

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.

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.

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.

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.