Last long weekend for us before the Labor Day holiday and Bobbe returning to school for the fall. I choose to check out the far east end of the Ochoco NF administered by the Malheur NF. As usual we tried to find a smaller less popular camp ground as our home base. The first camp ground was full and a few miles north the second campground had one site that we could fit out rig. We camped in Emmigrant Creek Campground. It was a quite location set back from the creek with many nice large pines and meadow between the campground and the creek. After camp was set up we took the little car out to explore. First stop was Snow Mountain look out. We looked for a geocache that has only been found once is several years. We were skunked and could not find it. Nice views.
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| Bobbe searching for geocache near Snow Mountain Lookout |
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| view to the north from Snow Mountain Lookout |
We did a counter clock wise loop from the look out and found Allison Guard Station. Looks like the Forest Service has one fire truck stationed there. It has been quite a fire season. The lookout at Snow Mountain said he had spotted more that double the average number of smoke for a normal year already.
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| Allison Guard Station |
Next stop was Delintment Lake and campground. This a nice little mountain lake and campground with paved road and campsites. We did not see any sites that we could have put our trailer into. There was even a campground host. Pepper was dry and she took a quick swim in the lake. She was happy and ready to explore some more.
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| Pepper enjoying a little refreshment during the trip |
We always enjoy seeing wildlife when we travel. We never see as many animals where we live as we see when out in the Ochocos. Our first day we saw 23 deer and 25 pronghorns. Oh, yes a coyote. No photos of pronghorn, too fast and too far away. I was able to get a photo of hoof print were the herd crossed the road. Best I could do.
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| Small buck deer near Delintment Lake |
Much of the area had interesting rock and boulder outcroppings.
On our second day of exploring we went east to Sugar Loaf Look Out. We did find the geocache near the lookout and great views and place for Bobbe to rest. She never turns down a picnic bench. Also found some more wildlife. Nearly 31 deer and a few others species.
No post would be complete without a few wild flower photos, This time of the year wild flowers are less common that in spring and early summer but there always some interesting wild plants to photograph.
Wild fires are part of the region. Here are a few photos of a wild fire area that the Forest Service was able to replant and is looking good. A young forest is returning.
Finally we had to pack up and return to the real world. This area is worth a return trip in the future. So much to see in Central and Eastern Oregon.
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