Calendar

Past Activity

Sutton Mountain

  • Start date: 05/04/2022

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 05/04/2022

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

This is an exploratory hike through an area that is proposed for monument status in central Oregon. The hike is over 4 hours drive from Eugene in Wheeler County and participants should plan to spend at least a night in the area. A second hike, Pat's Cabin (nearby), will be offered the following day. (Note- the Pat’s Cabin hike is a separate signup.)
There are hotel options locally and camping is possible. The hike is mainly on an abandoned roadway and shadeless. Bring sun protection. Water is not available except what you carry. This hike is known for wildflowers in spring and notably the hedgehog cactus. Nearby are short hike opportunities in the Painted Hills and Fossil Beds of the John Day Canyon. Hiker's may choose to explore on their own.
All food and lodging are the participant's responsibility.
Carpool stats Eugene to Mitchell 192 miles each way.

  • Event Leader: Sinnott Randy

  • Assistant Leader: Rolfe Jorry

  • Event category: Trips

  • Area Type: Mountain

  • Departure Location: See Trip Description

  • Rating: Moderate

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 22

  • Season: 2022

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: For the hike bring lunch, water, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, poles (if you like), good boots (no sneakers), rain gear lunch, water, hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, poles (if you like), good boots (no sneakers), rain gear

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 7.5

  • Member Fees: 1

  • Elevation Gain: 1600

  • Non-Member Fees: 5

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report


Recent rains had greened up much of this normally arid part of Oregon. Nine hikers were fortunate to have a sunny, nearly windless day on our hike to the summit of Sutton Mountain. The ‘trail’ follows an old Jeep track through several switchbacks, first climbing between stately junipers and emerging into meadows of bunchgrass as we neared the summit ridge. There were wildflowers in bloom and, although showy, most were stunted versions of the larkspur, phlox and lupine varieties we would expect in the wetter meadows of the Cascades. Raptors were not abundant although we had looks at a prairie falcon and ravens. The most interesting botanical specimens were the hedgehog cactus, bursting in bright pink blossoms that didn’t appear until the summit ridge was gained. Sutton Mountain is reputedly the farthest north they range. Visible from the summit were Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Hood, and Mt. Adam’s.
Senators Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley have submitted proposals to give Sutton Mountain monument status so that it will be around for many future generations to enjoy.

Members & Guests signed-up & waitlisted

  • Number of spots on trip: 12
  • Number of spots available: 0
No. Status Full name Phone Transportation Needed? Trip Fee # Can Take?
1 Signed-Up Sinnott, Randy 541-915-0234 N 1
2 Signed-Up Rolfe, Jorry 541-206-9501 N 1
3 Signed-Up van Winkle, Dorothy 541-485-7416 N 1
4 Signed-Up Grant, Elizabeth 541-514-1176 N 1
5 Signed-Up Alexander, Joanna 458-209-7798 N 1
6 Signed-Up Yoerger, Karen 541-510-2832 N 1
7 Signed-Up Parks, Linda 607-244-4194 N 1
8 Signed-Up Hamilton, Brian 541-343-6550 N 5
9 Signed-Up Cuevas, Lorraine 509-904-5222 N 1
10 Signed-Up Gould, Whitney 510-368-8941 N 1
11 Signed-Up Davies, Russ 541-525-3719 N 1
12 Signed-Up Nagy, Evelyn 541-514-4110 N 1
13 Signed-Up Ruzicka, Angie 541-521-6840 N 1
14 Signed-Up Cosby, Barbara Kay 458-210-7604 N 1
15 Signed-Up Shapiro, Kate 541-999-0091 N 5
16 Signed-Up Moore, Caroline 541-520-6946 N 1
17 Signed-Up Lyon, Carla 541-654-2703 N 1
18 Signed-Up Chan, Annie 541-223-2018 N 1