Malheur National Forest

Grasslands, sage, juniper, forests of pine and fir, alpine lakes and meadows make up the landscape of the 1.7-million-acre Malheur National Forest in the Blue Mountains of eastern Oregon.

Mountain bikers can explore thousands of miles of logging roads and several designated trails. Hikers and horseback riders can use more than 200 miles of trail.

More than 100 miles of the hiking trails cross the rugged Strawberry Mountain Wilderness, where elevations range from 4,000 feet to the 9,038-foot summit of Strawberry Mountain. The most popular trails are in the lakes basin in the center of the wilderness, while trails in the east and west are less traveled.

Those seeking scenery and solitude can find both in the Indian Rock-Vinegar Hill Scenic Area in the northeastern corner of the forest and the Monument Rock Wilderness on the eastern boundary.

Magone Lake is one of the most popular recreation sites. It is stocked with eastern brook and rainbow trout and is accessible in winter for ice fishing. A hiking trail circles the lake so visitors can fish easily from shore. A float tube or rubber raft is recommended for fly fishing.

The Malheur has 22 campgrounds, some with drinking water. Trash must be packed out at most sites. The campgrounds are generally open May 30 to Oct. 15 and although some are accessible the rest of the year, water systems are likely to be shut off.

For an off-season adventure, you can cross-country ski, snowshoe or snowmobile to a remote part of the forest and spend up to five nights housed in a fire lookout tower or in other Forest Service cabins.