Strawberry Range facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Strawberry Range
Lower Strawberry Lake with the Palisades in the background
Highest point
Peak	Strawberry Mountain
Elevation	2,750 m (9,020 ft)
Geography
Location in Oregon
Country	United States
State	Oregon
District	Grant County
Range coordinates	44°18′29.577″N 118°35′3.789″W / 44.30821583°N 118.58438583°W / 44.30821583; -118.58438583
Topo map	USGS Roberts Creek

The Strawberry Range, also known as the Strawberry Mountains, is a group of mountains in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is located east of John Day. These mountains are found within the Malheur National Forest. The highest peak in this range is Strawberry Mountain.

The Strawberry Range is part of the larger Blue Mountains range. It also includes the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness. This is a special area where nature is protected. Pioneers, who were early settlers, named Strawberry Mountain. They saw many wild strawberries growing in a valley nearby.

Amazing Wildlife and Nature

This area has many different kinds of plants and animals. It includes five of the seven main life zones found in North America. This means it has a huge variety of habitats.

You can find many animals here, such as:

• Rocky Mountain Elk
• Mule deer
• Antelope
• Black bear
• Cougar
• California bighorn sheep
• Ruffed and blue grouse (types of birds)
• Pileated woodpecker
• Sharp-shinned hawk
• Bald eagle
• Pine marten
• Mink
• Beaver

There are 378 different animal species and 22 types of fish living in the Strawberry Range.

Mountain goats have been seen in the higher parts of the Palisades ridge. This was noted in August 2016. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife allowed hunting for mountain goats here for the first time in 2014. This required a special permit called a hunting tag.

Fun Activities and Recreation

Strawberry Lake is a beautiful spot for visitors.

The best time for hiking in the Strawberry Range is usually from July to November. However, you might find snow at higher elevations at any time of the year.

Strawberry Camp is a great place to start your adventure. It is about 1.3 kilometers (0.8 miles) downstream from Strawberry Lake. A hiking trail connects the camp to the lake.

From Strawberry Lake, the trail continues upstream for about 1.2 kilometers (0.75 miles). You will reach the beautiful Strawberry Falls, which is 40 feet (12 meters) tall. After the falls, the trail goes another 0.6 miles (1 kilometer) to Little Strawberry Lake. Another trail from Strawberry Falls leads 6.3 miles (10.1 kilometers) to the very top of Strawberry Mountain.

Image gallery

• 

  The view of the Strawberry Mountains from County Road 18.

• 

  Strawberry Lake in the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness.

• 

  Strawberry Lake with Strawberry Mountain in the background.

• 

  The Strawberry Mountains from the Highway 26 viewpoint northeast of Prairie City.

• 

  The Strawberry Mountains from an overlook near Prairie City.

• 

  Red Basin at Strawberry Mountain.