Annalikeslenses - Jun 23, 2022 2:47 pm Date Climbed: Jun 20, 2022
Lots of snow, south ridge accessible though and only class 2+
Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous! Started from the Roads Ends TH (fine for passenger vehicles, looked recently cleared from blowdown) but had to park about 1/4 mile from the actual trailhead due to drifts still on the road. Still quite a lot of snow on the trail too but manageable. At the point of the route where the trail circles around the east face, there was a large steep-angle drift across the trail that looked extremely unsafe without mountaineering gear, so rather than try to go around above or below it, we just barreled up the snow-free south ridge. The climbers trail was actually decently stable rock for the most part and aside from a couple class 2+/very light class 3 steps, completely class 2. No idea where the class 4 designation came from on SP! Great way of summiting early season for sure and beautiful 360 views forever.
Dundeel - Jul 19, 2020 11:23 am Date Climbed: Jul 18, 2020
Strawberry
From Roads End TH. Only a small patch of snow left. Lots of hikers on a beautiful day.
This was part of a trip involving one county high point in Southeast Washington, as well as Morrow, Umatilla, Grant, Wheeler, and Crook in Oregon.
I got a late start on this one since I came from Baker City -- and I'd stopped to tour the Kam Wah Chung Museum in John Day (HIGHLY recommended) besides. Also I spent a good chunk of time looking for the Honey Mushroom, which I never found, but which I am told is more likely to make an appearance a bit deeper into autumn.
Of this particular trip, I would have to say that Strawberry Mountain was easily my favorite for its beauty and isolation.
Other reports indicating googlemaps cannot be relied upon are true; however, there is liberal signage on the road directing to Strawberry Prairie. A burn area begins just after Indian Springs. This road is passable to all vehicles. I passed two pickups loaded up with bowhunters on the way up and we exchanged waves. On the trail itself, though, I saw no one except for the black bear who trundled off down into the valley once it saw/smelled me.
I did not bother with the scramble route as I did not bring a helmet, I was solo, and I was racing daylight. It is not really necessary and I am not convinced it would save you much time besides that. The trail is evident all the way to the north side where a couple different options present themselves switching back the last couple vertical hundred feet to the summit.
From the summit I saw the haze of the forest fire to the east, but it had died down considerably over the previous couple days due to recent heavy rains. I also heard -- and eventually visually spotted -- a helicopter circling between myself and Indian Spring Butte. After it vanished behind Indian Spring Butte, it buzzed just underneath the Strawberry Mountain summit heading NNW.
After that small bit of excitement, I walked the ridgeline and found neither a benchmark nor the register, but only a cairn. I returned down the trail and arrived back at my vehicle right at sunset.
Philip Kline - Jul 23, 2019 10:29 am Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2019
Nice hike
Camped at Little Strawberry Lake. Lovely hike. None of it is particularly steep with a gradual grade all the way up. Some snow remaining mainly in the Onion Creek Basin. Falls are spectacular and refreshing on the way back down.
triyoda - Aug 12, 2018 10:11 pm Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2018
10th Oregon County HP
A lake, a waterfall and mountain, what else do you need?
MattDurkee - Aug 24, 2017 1:02 am Date Climbed: Aug 21, 2017
Eclipse 2017
Joined the large crowd on the summit for the total solar eclipse of 2017. I doubt there will ever be that many people on the summit together ever again.
It was complete pandemonium on the mountain, a couple next to us getting engaged, champagne corks flying, lots of cheering. My sister's dog provided entertainment for everyone while wearing the eclipse glasses. Doing the total solar eclipse was definitely a different experience vs. a partial eclipse.
ericnoel - Oct 8, 2016 11:16 pm Date Climbed: Oct 8, 2016
Strawberry
Did the trail to the summit from the South. Some snow higher up.
There was bad weather for weeks in WA so Heather and I drove through OR, CA, NV, UT, and ID. We climbed 37 peaks in 19 days. On the second to last day we did Steens and Strawberry. The weather did not look good when we started and sure enough we got totally soaked near the summit. trip report
surgent - May 12, 2015 11:28 pm Date Climbed: Jul 29, 2004
Saw butterfies flutter by
Hiked with my wife, Beth. Attacked by hordes of butterflies. Lovely area!
cyffredinol - Oct 8, 2013 9:25 pm Date Climbed: Oct 6, 2013
Windy on top!
Hiked to the top from Strawberry basin with my friends Karl, Rob, and Ember. Beautiful sunny weather, but on top the wind was blowing about 50 mph. There was some snow but no ice and easy to do without crampons. Awesome day!
Nick Turtura - Sep 9, 2013 6:15 pm Date Climbed: Sep 7, 2013
Perfect
Perfect weather and a smooth hike. I took the roads end trail to the summit and made car to car in 2.5hrs. My topo had a junction at about a mile in that you can see the two trails on google maps. However, when hiking you really can't find it. So just make sure you stay on the main thoroughfare then follow the signs. The lightning touches on the top are pretty radicle.
IdahoDaisy - Apr 7, 2012 12:04 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2009
Beautiful hike via Strawberry Basin
I highly recommend the longer trail (Strawberry Basin)--takes you by Strawberry Lake, Strawberry Falls (looks like something from Central America!), and beautiful wildflowers.
BrentonBalla - Jan 18, 2012 2:34 pm Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2009
Great climb
Climbed this mountain via the Roads End trail in early fall of 2009 when I was about 15 years old with my grandpa and younger brother. There was still quite a bit of snow much of the way, but fortuneatly the trail was fairly easy to follow. I tripped and slid down a very icy cliff and ended up having to have a rope thrown down to me as I hung there. Closest I have ever come to dying. Despite this crazy incident, the summit was breathtaking and very much earned.
Redwic - Oct 3, 2011 5:20 pm Date Climbed: Oct 1, 2011
What a great peak!
I really enjoyed this peak. I summited via the Roads End Trail #201A. What took me totally by surprise were the *many* hunters also using the trail and surrounding slopes. There were more hunters parked at the trailhead than I had ever previously seen at any other trailhead. The mountain itself had an excellent view but was definitely the windiest place I had been all year.
This was the first of seven Oregon CoHPs I visited in a two-day span that weekend.
Went up with my wife and had a great hike. Lots of snow at the 8,000 saddle, fairly steep and corniced at the top. We skipped this and headed up talus up the face of the mtn until intersecting the trail.
mnpalerm - Feb 18, 2011 9:13 pm Date Climbed: Jun 12, 2010
Strawberry Mountain Trail
I love this mountain! Summited with so much snow, never been to the area before, lost the trail shortly after Strawberry Falls and bushwacked the rest, it was great! Not a soul up there! Gorgeous view!
Troy B - Aug 30, 2010 10:46 am Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2010
Route: Roads End Trail
Hiked up to the summit with my son Jeremy from the Roads End Trailhead. We had the mountain to ourselves and had an amazing hike.
cjwhat - Aug 24, 2009 7:41 pm Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2009
No shade route
After summiting Indian Springs Butte; Mike, Joshua, Rico and I cut over to the south side trail to Strawberry Mountain. It was a hot, sunny day and the burn on the west side of the ridge, which is the trail side, ensured that we were in the full sun the entire way. Still, it was a beautiful hike.
Paul McClellan - Nov 23, 2008 12:21 pm Date Climbed: Jul 1, 1985
Summit Bivouac
Hiked the Onion Creek Trail route on a sunny and clear day and bivouaced on the summit overnight under a clear sky and a full moon. Swifts(?) flew much of the night about the summit, apparently feeding.
A nice hike to a cool summit. Rode my bike to the singletrack section a mile and a quarter in. Very dusty. 1:10 to the summit, 50 minutes back to the car. My GPS said it was 7 miles RT with 1400+ gain. Beautiful area, will be back to do more things here.
P.S. Cows aren't that smart. Had a couple block my way on CR 65 on the way there for a minute.
Annalikeslenses - Jun 23, 2022 2:47 pm Date Climbed: Jun 20, 2022
Lots of snow, south ridge accessible though and only class 2+Gorgeous gorgeous gorgeous! Started from the Roads Ends TH (fine for passenger vehicles, looked recently cleared from blowdown) but had to park about 1/4 mile from the actual trailhead due to drifts still on the road. Still quite a lot of snow on the trail too but manageable. At the point of the route where the trail circles around the east face, there was a large steep-angle drift across the trail that looked extremely unsafe without mountaineering gear, so rather than try to go around above or below it, we just barreled up the snow-free south ridge. The climbers trail was actually decently stable rock for the most part and aside from a couple class 2+/very light class 3 steps, completely class 2. No idea where the class 4 designation came from on SP! Great way of summiting early season for sure and beautiful 360 views forever.
Dundeel - Jul 19, 2020 11:23 am Date Climbed: Jul 18, 2020
StrawberryFrom Roads End TH. Only a small patch of snow left. Lots of hikers on a beautiful day.
huskertriguy - Sep 12, 2019 4:22 pm Date Climbed: Sep 6, 2019
Strawberry fields for roverThis was part of a trip involving one county high point in Southeast Washington, as well as Morrow, Umatilla, Grant, Wheeler, and Crook in Oregon.
I got a late start on this one since I came from Baker City -- and I'd stopped to tour the Kam Wah Chung Museum in John Day (HIGHLY recommended) besides. Also I spent a good chunk of time looking for the Honey Mushroom, which I never found, but which I am told is more likely to make an appearance a bit deeper into autumn.
Of this particular trip, I would have to say that Strawberry Mountain was easily my favorite for its beauty and isolation.
Other reports indicating googlemaps cannot be relied upon are true; however, there is liberal signage on the road directing to Strawberry Prairie. A burn area begins just after Indian Springs. This road is passable to all vehicles. I passed two pickups loaded up with bowhunters on the way up and we exchanged waves. On the trail itself, though, I saw no one except for the black bear who trundled off down into the valley once it saw/smelled me.
I did not bother with the scramble route as I did not bring a helmet, I was solo, and I was racing daylight. It is not really necessary and I am not convinced it would save you much time besides that. The trail is evident all the way to the north side where a couple different options present themselves switching back the last couple vertical hundred feet to the summit.
From the summit I saw the haze of the forest fire to the east, but it had died down considerably over the previous couple days due to recent heavy rains. I also heard -- and eventually visually spotted -- a helicopter circling between myself and Indian Spring Butte. After it vanished behind Indian Spring Butte, it buzzed just underneath the Strawberry Mountain summit heading NNW.
After that small bit of excitement, I walked the ridgeline and found neither a benchmark nor the register, but only a cairn. I returned down the trail and arrived back at my vehicle right at sunset.
Philip Kline - Jul 23, 2019 10:29 am Date Climbed: Jul 17, 2019
Nice hikeCamped at Little Strawberry Lake. Lovely hike. None of it is particularly steep with a gradual grade all the way up. Some snow remaining mainly in the Onion Creek Basin. Falls are spectacular and refreshing on the way back down.
triyoda - Aug 12, 2018 10:11 pm Date Climbed: Aug 4, 2018
10th Oregon County HPA lake, a waterfall and mountain, what else do you need?
MattDurkee - Aug 24, 2017 1:02 am Date Climbed: Aug 21, 2017
Eclipse 2017Joined the large crowd on the summit for the total solar eclipse of 2017. I doubt there will ever be that many people on the summit together ever again.
It was complete pandemonium on the mountain, a couple next to us getting engaged, champagne corks flying, lots of cheering. My sister's dog provided entertainment for everyone while wearing the eclipse glasses. Doing the total solar eclipse was definitely a different experience vs. a partial eclipse.
ericnoel - Oct 8, 2016 11:16 pm Date Climbed: Oct 8, 2016
StrawberryDid the trail to the summit from the South. Some snow higher up.
gimpilator - Jul 18, 2016 8:20 pm Date Climbed: Jul 8, 2016
37 peaks in 19 daysThere was bad weather for weeks in WA so Heather and I drove through OR, CA, NV, UT, and ID. We climbed 37 peaks in 19 days. On the second to last day we did Steens and Strawberry. The weather did not look good when we started and sure enough we got totally soaked near the summit. trip report
surgent - May 12, 2015 11:28 pm Date Climbed: Jul 29, 2004
Saw butterfies flutter byHiked with my wife, Beth. Attacked by hordes of butterflies. Lovely area!
cyffredinol - Oct 8, 2013 9:25 pm Date Climbed: Oct 6, 2013
Windy on top!Hiked to the top from Strawberry basin with my friends Karl, Rob, and Ember. Beautiful sunny weather, but on top the wind was blowing about 50 mph. There was some snow but no ice and easy to do without crampons. Awesome day!
Nick Turtura - Sep 9, 2013 6:15 pm Date Climbed: Sep 7, 2013
PerfectPerfect weather and a smooth hike. I took the roads end trail to the summit and made car to car in 2.5hrs. My topo had a junction at about a mile in that you can see the two trails on google maps. However, when hiking you really can't find it. So just make sure you stay on the main thoroughfare then follow the signs. The lightning touches on the top are pretty radicle.
IdahoDaisy - Apr 7, 2012 12:04 pm Date Climbed: Aug 19, 2009
Beautiful hike via Strawberry BasinI highly recommend the longer trail (Strawberry Basin)--takes you by Strawberry Lake, Strawberry Falls (looks like something from Central America!), and beautiful wildflowers.
BrentonBalla - Jan 18, 2012 2:34 pm Date Climbed: Aug 9, 2009
Great climbClimbed this mountain via the Roads End trail in early fall of 2009 when I was about 15 years old with my grandpa and younger brother. There was still quite a bit of snow much of the way, but fortuneatly the trail was fairly easy to follow. I tripped and slid down a very icy cliff and ended up having to have a rope thrown down to me as I hung there. Closest I have ever come to dying. Despite this crazy incident, the summit was breathtaking and very much earned.
Redwic - Oct 3, 2011 5:20 pm Date Climbed: Oct 1, 2011
What a great peak!I really enjoyed this peak. I summited via the Roads End Trail #201A. What took me totally by surprise were the *many* hunters also using the trail and surrounding slopes. There were more hunters parked at the trailhead than I had ever previously seen at any other trailhead. The mountain itself had an excellent view but was definitely the windiest place I had been all year.
This was the first of seven Oregon CoHPs I visited in a two-day span that weekend.
Snowslogger - Jul 22, 2011 1:55 pm Date Climbed: Jul 20, 2011
High snow year - late summerWent up with my wife and had a great hike. Lots of snow at the 8,000 saddle, fairly steep and corniced at the top. We skipped this and headed up talus up the face of the mtn until intersecting the trail.
mnpalerm - Feb 18, 2011 9:13 pm Date Climbed: Jun 12, 2010
Strawberry Mountain TrailI love this mountain! Summited with so much snow, never been to the area before, lost the trail shortly after Strawberry Falls and bushwacked the rest, it was great! Not a soul up there! Gorgeous view!
Troy B - Aug 30, 2010 10:46 am Date Climbed: Aug 27, 2010
Route: Roads End TrailHiked up to the summit with my son Jeremy from the Roads End Trailhead. We had the mountain to ourselves and had an amazing hike.
cjwhat - Aug 24, 2009 7:41 pm Date Climbed: Aug 20, 2009
No shade routeAfter summiting Indian Springs Butte; Mike, Joshua, Rico and I cut over to the south side trail to Strawberry Mountain. It was a hot, sunny day and the burn on the west side of the ridge, which is the trail side, ensured that we were in the full sun the entire way. Still, it was a beautiful hike.
Paul McClellan - Nov 23, 2008 12:21 pm Date Climbed: Jul 1, 1985
Summit BivouacHiked the Onion Creek Trail route on a sunny and clear day and bivouaced on the summit overnight under a clear sky and a full moon. Swifts(?) flew much of the night about the summit, apparently feeding.
BSPclimber - Sep 30, 2008 2:12 pm Date Climbed: Sep 29, 2008
Road's endA nice hike to a cool summit. Rode my bike to the singletrack section a mile and a quarter in. Very dusty. 1:10 to the summit, 50 minutes back to the car. My GPS said it was 7 miles RT with 1400+ gain. Beautiful area, will be back to do more things here.
P.S. Cows aren't that smart. Had a couple block my way on CR 65 on the way there for a minute.