Ochoco Mountains

Ochoco Mountains

Steins Pillar in ponderosa pine forest
Highest point
Peak Lookout Mountain[1]
Elevation 6,926 ft (2,111 m)
Coordinates 44°19′37″N 120°22′24″W / 44.32694°N 120.37333°W / 44.32694; -120.37333[2]
Dimensions
Length 114 mi (183 km) north–south
Width 86 mi (138 km)
Geography
Country United States
State Oregon
Counties[3] Crook, Wheeler, Grant
Range coordinates 44°26′35″N 120°23′37″W / 44.4431°N 120.3936°W / 44.4431; -120.3936Coordinates: 44°26′35″N 120°23′37″W / 44.4431°N 120.3936°W / 44.4431; -120.3936[3]
Parent range Blue Mountains province
Geology
Age of rock Permian, Triassic, Jurassic and Eocene
Type of rock Accreted and erupted igneous rock

The Ochoco Mountains are a mountain range in central Oregon in the United States, located at the western end of the Blue Mountains. They were formed when Permian, Triassic, and Jurassic rocks were slowly uplifted by volcanic eruptions to form the Clarno Formation. Today, the highest point in the range is Lookout Mountain. The dominant vegetation on the west side of the range is old-growth ponderosa pine; on the east side, western juniper is common. The western area of the mountains is administered by the Ochoco National Forest, while the southeastern section is part of the Malheur National Forest. The Ochoco Mountains are used for hiking, camping, bird watching, rockhounding, and hunting, as well as cross-country skiing in the winter.

Geography

The Ochoco Mountains run 114 miles (183 km) north to south and 86 miles (138 km) east to west.[1] The eight highest peaks in the range are:[1]

Geology

The Ochoco Mountains in central Oregon form the western end of the Blue Mountains province. The Blue Mountains are not a single cohesive range, but rather a complex of ranges and inter-mountain basins and valleys that extend from southeast Washington into central Oregon, ending near Prineville. The Ochoco portion of the province is part of a wide uplifted plateau made of rocks from the Permian, Triassic, and Jurassic periods (300 to 200 million years old) that were transported by the Pacific Plate and accreted in the late Mesozoic era (about 100 million years ago) as part of a vast shallow sea, then slowly uplifted by volcanic eruptions during the Eocene epoch (50 to 37 million years ago) to form the Clarno Formation. From 37 to 17 million years ago, eruptions in the western Cascade Range spread ash across eastern Oregon, forming the John Day Formation. From 17 to 14 million years ago, major volcanic eruptions covered much of the province with basalt flows, creating the Columbia River Basalt Group. Since then, continued faulting and uplift has resulted in a deeply eroded landscape. Steins Pillar is an excellent example of this erosion.[4]

During the Eocene epoch, central Oregon volcanoes deposited layers of lava and ash up to 1,000 feet (300 m) thick over the area that is now the Ochoco Mountains. Large mudflows called lahars were also common during that period. These mudflows often covered and preserved the plants and animals, resulting in fossil beds. Today, fossils of prehistoric trees, fruits, nuts, and flowers can be found in the Ochoco Mountains along with fossilized animals including horses, camels, rhinoceros, and hippopotami.[5]

Ecology

The vegetation in the Ochoco Mountains ranges from old-growth ponderosa pine on the western slopes and in the mountain valleys to western juniper and sagebrush on the eastern and southern slopes. The high mountain meadows host a wide variety of wild flowers and even ferns in some areas. Big Summit Prairie near the center of the Ochocos is well known for its spring wild flower displays.[6]

Ponderosa pine forest in the Deep Springs area

Ponderosa pine is the dominant tree species in most parts of the Ochoco Mountains. These pines are common at elevations from 3,000 to 6,000 feet (910 to 1,830 m) above sea level. Manzanita, antelope bitterbrush, and ceanothus are common shrubs in the pine-dominated areas with Idaho fescue and Ross' sedge as the main ground cover. Ponderosa pine forests are tolerant of drought and low-intensity wildfires. Birds commonly found in the pine forests of the Ochoco Mountains include the northern flicker, hairy woodpecker, red-tailed hawk, and Steller's jay. Central Oregon's ponderosa pine forests are an important winter range for mule deer and Rocky Mountain elk.[7]

On the drier, eastern side of the Ochoco Mountains, the western juniper trees survive on as little as 8 inches (200 mm) of precipitation per year. The range's juniper woodlands cover wide areas from 3,000 to 4,000 feet (910 to 1,220 m) in elevation. Antelope bitterbrush and sagebrush are common shrubs in these areas with Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass as the main ground cover. Juniper woodlands are home to mountain bluebirds, Townsend's solitaires, and ferruginous hawks during the spring and summer. There are also many small mammals and lizards that are prey for coyote.[7]

Camas flower at Big Summit Prairie

Big Summit Prairie is a large high-country meadow covering 20 square miles (52 km2) in the middle of the Ochoco Mountains. The prairie is covered by water-loving grasses, overgrown by willows and shrubs in some areas. Tufted hairgrass, elephant's head, and horsetail are common ground cover in the meadowlands. Quaking aspen with shrubby undergrowth attract wildlife not found in other parts of the Ochoco Mountains. Common birds include sandhill crane, Wilson's snipe, long-billed curlew, and northern harrier. Even the rare dickcissel has been sighted at Big Summit Prairie. Larger animals include mule deer, pronghorn, Belding's ground squirrel, northern pocket gopher, meadow mice, and coyotes. Also, Rocky Mountain elk move into the area in the fall.[8][9]

Big Summit Prairie is particularly well known for its wildflowers and butterflies. From April through June, flowers cover Big Summit meadow. The first wildflowers to bloom are usually grass widow, wild parsley, and shooting stars. From May through June, Wyethia, buttercups, and camas display their colors. In drier areas, bitterroot bloom with large white and pink flowers. In June and July, other flowers take over the display including Missouri iris, larkspur, Indian paintbrush, checkermallow, and arrowleaf balsamroot. One notable plant is Peck’s mariposa lily, a type of Calochortus with lavender petals. This plant is found only in the Ochoco Mountains. Butterfly species common to the Big Summit Prairie include hairstreak, skipper, eastern tailed-blue, Lycaenidae, checkerspot, fritillary, swallowtail, admiral, and tortoiseshell.[8][9]

Human uses

Most of the Ochoco Mountains are public lands administered by the United States Forest Service. The Ochoco National Forest is responsible for most of the mountain area; however, the southeastern part of the range is in the Malheur National Forest. Some land in the Ochoco area is also administered by the Bureau of Land Management. Hiking, fishing, camping, hunting, horseback riding, bird watching, and rockhounding are all popular activities.[10]

The Ochoco National Forest maintains 27 campgrounds in or near the Ochoco Mountains. The largest are the Antelope Flat Reservoir, Ochoco Divide, Walton Lake, and Wildcat campgrounds.[11] The Malheur National Forest has several campgrounds in the Ochoco Mountains as well. The largest is the campground at Delintment Lake.[12]

Thundereggs like these are found at Whistle Springs.

The unique geology of the Ochoco Mountains is such that a wide variety of rock types are located in a relatively small area. This brings rockhounds to the area every summer. The Bureau of Land Management and the Ochoco National Forest both have designated areas where rockhounds can search for agate, jasper, petrified wood, petrified moss, and dendrite. These rock collection sites are for personal use only; gathering rocks for commercial purposes is prohibited. Thundereggs can be found at Whistle Springs. Even though the area has been worked by rockhounds for many years, quality thundereggs are still found at the site. There are also some rare rocks and minerals in central Oregon in or near the Ochoco Mountains, including opals, amethyst, gem quality calcite, cinnabar, selenite, gypsum, and amygdaloid nodules.[18][19]

Wilderness areas

The Ochoco National Forest has three wilderness areas in the Ochoco Mountains. They are the Bridge Creek Wilderness, the Black Canyon Wilderness, and the Mill Creek Wilderness.

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Ochoco Mountains", Peakbagger.com Database, Geographic Research Systems, Peakbagger.com, Seattle, Washington, 23 January 2015.
  2. "Lookout Mountain". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. 28 November 1980. Retrieved 25 January 2015.
  3. 1 2 "Ochoco Mountains". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey. 28 November 1980. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  4. "Blue Mountains Province", Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, United States Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Bend, Oregon. Archived from the original on 3 September 2005.
  5. "Additional Points of Interest - Geology of Central Oregon", Prineville Crook County Chamber of Commerce, Prineville, Oregon. Archived from the original on 6 October 2011.
  6. Walton, Aaron, "Ochoco Mountains – Central Oregon", Wonder the West, www.wanderthewest.com, Bend, Oregon. Archived from the original on 4 July 2008.
  7. 1 2 "Forest Habitat", Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, United States Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Prineville, Oregon. Retrieved 9 May 2014.
  8. 1 2 "Big Summit Prairie", Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, United States Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Prineville, Oregon, 29 March 2004.
  9. 1 2 "Big Summit Prairie", Rangeland Management Botany Program, United States Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C., 24 June 2008.
  10. "General Info", Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, United States Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Prineville, Oregon, 29 August 2006.
  11. "Lookout Mountain Ranger District", Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, United States Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Prineville, Oregon, 28 May 2008.
  12. "Developed Campgrounds", Malheur National Forests, United States Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, John Day, Oregon, 19 June 2007.
  13. "Antelope Flat Reservoir", Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, United States Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Prineville, Oregon, 22 July 2004.
  14. "Ochoco Divide Campground", Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, United States Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Prineville, Oregon, 5 August 2008.
  15. "Walton Lake Campground and Trailhead", Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, United States Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Prineville, Oregon, 24 June 2008.
  16. "Wildcat Campground", Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, United States Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Prineville, Oregon, 17 May 2005.
  17. "Delintment Lake Campground", Malheur National Forests, United States Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, John Day, Oregon, 19 June 2007.
  18. "Rockhounding", Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, United States Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Prineville, Oregon, 7 February 2006.
  19. "Whistle Springs", Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, United States Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Prineville, Oregon, 23 February 2005.
  20. "Bridge Creek Wilderness", Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, United States Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Prineville, Oregon, 16 August 2004.
  21. "Black Canyon Wilderness", Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, United States Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Prineville, Oregon, 16 August 2004.
  22. "Mill Creek Wilderness", Deschutes and Ochoco National Forests, United States Forest Service, United States Department of Agriculture, Prineville, Oregon, 16 August 2004.
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