Sutton Mountain

Mark Darnell

John Day River Basin

At 4,700 feet tall, Sutton Mountain towers over the surrounding landscape. With a steep, craggy west side and a rolling, grassy eastern face, the mountain has an alluring Jekyll and Hyde quality.

Sutton Mountain is home to bountiful wildflowers in the spring and vibrant herds of mule deer, wandering pronghorn and golden eagles gliding overhead. Recreational opportunities offer an immersive exploration into the Sutton Mountain backcountry, suiting adventurous thrill-seekers and mellow nature enthusiasts alike.

ONDA has worked with Senator Merkley, the local community and other stakeholders to craft a conservation solution worthy of the area’s incredible diversity of habitats, opportunities for backcountry recreation, paleontological history, archaeological resources, cultural values and more.

fact

Bitteroot

Bitteroot

Bitteroot blooms on north-facing cliffs in western North America.

The Paiute name for bitteroot is kangedya. Traditional Native American uses of the plant included eating the roots, mixed with berries and meat, and using the roots to treat sore throats.

 

listen

Cottonwood Canyon Riparian Soundscape

Cottonwood Canyon Riparian Soundscape

voices

Terry Butler, 2018 Volunteer of the Year

Terry Butler, 2018 Volunteer of the Year

“If I have to pick a favorite place in Oregon’s high desert, it would be Sutton Mountain, but I’m excited about all of the Wilderness Study Areas,” says Terry, adding, “Each is a gem to explore, and I hope they all get protection someday… I love the scale of the physical beauty of the desert.”

Tyson Fisher   Website

James Parsons

Mark Darnell

Mark Darnell

Protecting this region and its watershed, including Bridge Creek, will also build upon years of private investment and collaboration to restore stream conditions using an innovative approach: encouraging native beaver to repopulate the area and naturally reengineer and recover the stream ecosystem to benefit steelhead and a multitude of other species.

Ben Goldfarb

Species Spotlight: Steelhead

Author: Scott R. Bowler  |  Published: April 20, 2022  |  Category: Species Spotlight The long & short life history of Oncorhynchus mykiss Did you know that the fish we call […]

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Sutton Mountain

Gaining the summit of Sutton Mountain is attainable for hikers with moderate fitness and offers a reprieve from the snow-laden Cascades during most of the winter. Topping out at 4,694 […]

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Sutton Mountain Dazzles,
Inspires in Equal Measure

Author: Matt Wastradowski  | Published: August 20, 2020  |  Updated: November 3, 2021  |  Categories: Where-to; In the News You may have heard about the new proposal to establish a […]

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