Sutton Mountain Dazzles,
Inspires in Equal Measure

Matt Wastradowski   Website

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 Sutton Mountain National Monument. Here’s backstory. 


The Painted Hills Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument sees roughly 200,000 visitors per year, almost all of them dazzled by the brightly colored hillsides, arid landscapes, and explosive ecological history of the John Day River Basin.

But just east of the Painted Hills sits Sutton Mountain, rising 4,700 feet above sea level and towering over the monument’s border. With a rocky western face and a grassier, more gradual eastern slope, Sutton Mountain invites hikers and horseback riders to rise above the region for a top-down look unavailable almost anywhere else in the region.

Those views range from the Painted Hills to canyons, gorges, and rolling hillsides that twist, turn, and rise all the way to the horizon—to say nothing of the many Cascade peaks in the distance. Visitors might even see some of the wildlife that calls Sutton Mountain home—like pronghorn, elk, mule deer, raptors, and coyotes.

And while it borders the Painted Hills and sits in the middle of the three units of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Sutton Mountain sees far fewer visitors in a given year and remains an underrated gem in the region. That doesn’t make it any less fascinating, though: The mountain’s unique ecology, unparalleled views, and promising future as a protected piece of land make it well worth a visit.

So if you’re interested in learning more about—or even visiting—Sutton Mountain, here’s a look at how the region came to be, what it’s like to ascend to the summit, and why it’s so important to protect it for future generations.

 

watch

Tibetan Monks Visit Sutton Mountain

Tibetan Monks Visit Sutton Mountain

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.”

listen

Cottonwood Canyon Riparian Soundscape

Cottonwood Canyon Riparian Soundscape

Natural History of Sutton Mountain

Today, the view from atop Sutton Mountain looks over the John Day River Basin. But millions of years ago, the view would have been far different: Active volcanoes, ginkgo trees, plentiful wildlife, and a verdant ecosystem stretched for miles in every direction. (For context: In those days, this area of eastern Oregon was as wet as modern-day western Oregon.)

But those erupting volcanoes killed plant and animal life before slowly shifting westward—and a changing climate spurred the dry, arid ecosystem surrounding Sutton Mountain today.

Tyson Fisher   Website

What It’s Like to Hike Sutton Mountain

Of course, getting to enjoy those views demands some effort along the Sutton Mountain trail, a 7.5-mile, round-trip trek that gains nearly 1,700 feet in elevation.

The entirety of the trail follows an old roadbed, initially through juniper woodlands and springtime wildflowers—such as purple lupine and red Indian paintbrush—before leaving the shade for good. (As such, this hike is best done in early spring and fall, when daytime temperatures won’t be quite so oppressive. Bring plenty of water, and apply sunscreen before setting out)

Roughly halfway up the mountain, you’ll walk through a cattle gate—be sure to close it behind you—and follow the road as it grows fainter and approaches the summit. A small overlook just below the summit affords wide-open views of the Painted Hills and Ochoco Mountains. But for a full 360º look at the region, a quick backcountry climb to the summit of Sutton Mountain (where no official trail actually leads) affords even grander views of Cascade peaks, from Mt. Jefferson to Mt. Adams. In April, keep an eye out for the rare (and beautiful) pink hedgehog cactus.

 

Mark Darnell

Sutton Mountain Protection Efforts Remain Ongoing

Once you reach the summit of Sutton Mountain, you’ll understand why advocates like ONDA have been striving for years to protect this stunning landscape—and now Oregon Senators Jeff Merkley and Ron Wyden have proposed to do so.

The Sutton Mountain and Painted Hills Area Wildfire Resiliency Preservation and Economic Enhancement Act — introduced by Oregon’s U.S. Senators on November 3, 2021 — would establish a new Sutton Mountain National Monument. Administered by the Bureau of Land Management, the 66,000-acre designation would wrap around the Painted Hills and encompass Sutton Mountain and connected wildlands, including Pat’s Cabin, Dead Dog, Priest Hole and Gable Creek. The legislation would elevate conservation across the entire area, while providing for recreational, cultural, historic, scenic, geological and paleontological values and continued economic use of these public lands. 


Say "Thanks!"

You can help ensure that this legislation permanently protects this inimitable landscape passes. Please thank the Senators Merkley and Wyden for their proposal and urge them to advance their bill in Congress as soon as possible. 

Urge Them On

About the Author

Matt Wastradowski is a travel and outdoors writer based in Portland, Oregon. Matt has written for numerous publications, including Willamette Week, REI's Co-op Blog, and Northwest Travel & Life. He is the co-author of Moon Pacific Northwest Hiking, now available.

Learn More About Matt