The landscape also includes heavily timbered slopes, grassland ridges and benches, and bold basalt outcroppings. Elevation range from 1,600 to 8,000 feet above sea level. Changes in weather are common, but summers are generally warm and dry with cool evenings. Cold, snowy winters and mild temperatures during spring and fall can be expected.
From parks to ponds, Heppner Ranger District is where to go to experience a wide variety of great fishing locations.
A large variety of fishing opportunities (rivers, streams, and ponds) exist on the North Fork John Day Ranger District near Ukiah, Oregon.
2004 Fishing Derby. The 14th annual Ukiah Kids Fishing Derby will be held on Saturday June 12th, 2004 at the Twin Ponds, 6 miles south of Ukiah. The event is scheduled for free fishing weekend, so no fishing license is required during the event. The derby is open to all kids ages 0-16 years old. Parents are encouraged to come and help their children have a positive fishing experience. All kids must be accompanied by an adult at the event. There will be a biggest fish contest for all participants. The first, second, and third largest fish in each age group will receive a prize. There will also be a casting contest, with prizes awarded in each age class. Educational posters will be set up at the derby to provide children with fun facts about fish. The Battle Mountain AMVETS and Ladies Auxiliary will provide free hot dogs, hamburgers, and soda to participants, parents, and volunteers. Kids need to bring their own fishing rod and gear. Bait will be provided at the event for those that need it.
Located on the Pomeroy Ranger District are streams just waiting for a fishing line to be dropped in. The water runs clear, mainly because all the streams originate on our District, and cold. Fish thrive in these waters, thus giving fishermen tremendous opportunities to catch the big one.
The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, in cooperation with the Umatilla National Forest, stocked six ponds on the south end of the Walla Walla Ranger District with catchable sized rainbow trout this past June 2003.
A trail will often be rated differently for different kinds of use. For example, a trail may be rated as Easiest for hiker, but Most Difficult for pack and saddle stock use because of the narrow clearing-width.
Trail difficulty levels can even be different for the same type of use, depending on the specific activities. For example, a trail may pose different challenges for a day-use horseback ride, than for a horseback rider leading a string of pack stock with camping equipment. A trail, which has a 36-inch wide, smooth, gravel surface, might usually be classed as an Easiest difficulty level, but if it is located on the side of a steep, rocky cliff where one wrong step means a 500-foot fall. It would be rated a More Difficult or Most Difficult.
Trail difficulty ratings are based on the conditions of the local are so similar trails in a different area might be rated differently.
Horseback Riding:
Backcountry trails in the Blue Mountains are busier that ever before. Crowding, litter and pollution are becoming part of our outdoor experience. We face a choice as horseback travelers: do nothing and see the quality of our outdoor experience decline, or reduce our impact on the land and see its beauty and solitude preserved. We can reduce our impact and have a quality experience by keeping groups small, traveling the less-used trails, improving our camp etiquette, using lightweight and compact equipment, and adopting a pack-it-in- pack-it-out philosophy.
LOCATION : 4000' - Bull Prairie Campground is located 36 miles south of Heppner, Oregon on FS Road 2039.
ACCESS : From Heppner: travel south on Highway 207 for approximately 36 miles. Follow signs to Bull Prairie Recreational Area on FS Road 2039.
FACILITIES : 28 tent/trailer sites, 16 day use sites, Drinking Water, Restroom Facilities
FEES : $12.00/a night
ATTRACTIONS : Fishing (Blue Gill, Brook and Rainbow Trout), Boating (No Motors Allowed), Hiking (Bull Prairie Trail #3056), Beautiful 28 acre Lake
CONSIDERATIONS: Bull Prairie Campground is on a first-come, first-serve basis and is managed by Bluewood Recreation Management - www.bluewood.com
FAIRVIEW CAMPGROUND - Overnight and Day Use
LOCATION: 4300' - Fairview Campground is 34 miles south of Heppner, Oregon on State Highway 207.
ACCESS: From Heppner: travel south on Highway 207 for approximately 34 miles.
FACILITIES: 5 Sites, Restrooms, NO Drinking water or electricity
FEES: No Charge
ATTRACTIONS: 4 miles from Bull Prairie Lake. top
PENLAND LAKE CAMPGROUND - Overnight and Day Use
LOCATION: 4950' - Penland Lake Campground is 28 miles southeast of Heppner, Oregon on Forest Road #2103.
ACCESS: Take Willow Creek Road (County Road 678), just south of Heppner, approximately 23 miles to FS Road 21. Follow FS Road 21 for about 3 miles to FS Road 2103. Follow 2103 for 2 miles to Penland Lake.
FACILITIES : 17 Sites, 7 Sites are tent only, NO Drinking water or electricityRestrooms
FEES: No Charge
ATTRACTIONS:Fishing (Blue Gill and Rainbow Trout), Boating (Electric Motors Only)
CONSIDERATIONS: Access to the lake may be hindered in the springtime due to muddy roads, specifically FS Road 2103.
Location: This site is located approximately 25 miles south of Pomeroy, Washington on the Umatilla National Forest. The map location is Township 8 North, Range 42 East, Section 5.
Cabin Capacity: 10 people maximum.
Use Fee: $40.00 to $60.00 per night, depending on number of occupants. Water available during summer months.
Season Available: All year. automobile access to the site runs from June 1 to November 1. Winter use will require alternate transportation such as skis, snowshoes, or snowmobile.
Area Attractions: Scenic drive along breaks of the Tucannon River (Sunset Point). Horse or hiker trail into Tucannon River. Mushroom and berry picking. Wildlife viewing. Snowmobiling on groomed snowmobile trails. Cross-country skiing.
Clearwater Lookout Cabin - elevation 5600 ft.
Location: This site is located approximately 25 miles south of Pomeroy, Washington on the Umatilla National Forest. The map location is Township 8 North, Range 42 East, Section 5.
Cabin Capacity: 4 people maximum.
Use Fee: $25.00 per night.
Season Available: All year. automobile access to the site runs from June 1 to November 1. Winter use will require alternate transportation such as skis, snowshoes, or snowmobile.
Area Attractions: Scenic drive along breaks of the Tucannon River (Sunset Point). Horse or hiker trail into Tucannon River. Mushroom and berry picking. Wildlife viewing. Snowmobiling on groomed snowmobile trails. Cross-country skiing.
Godman Guard Station - elevation 5600 ft.
Location: This site is located approximately 28 miles southeast of Dayton, Washington on the Umatilla National Forest.The map location is Township 7 North, Range 40 East, Section 10.
Cabin Capacity: 10 people maximum.
Use Fee: $40.00 to $60.00 depending on the number of occupants. Water available during summer months
Season Available: All year. automobile access to the site runs from June 1 to November 1. Winter use will require alternate transportation such as skis, snowshoes, or snowmobile.
Area Attractions: Scenic drive along Skyline Drive Road and Wenaha Tucannon Wilderness. Horse or hiker trails into the wilderness. Wildlife viewing. Snowmobiling on groomed snowmobile trails. Cross- country skiing.
Wenatchee Guard Station - elevation 6050 ft.
Location: This site is located approximately 40 miles southeast of Pomeroy, Washington on the Umatilla National Forest. The map location is Township 8 North, Range 43 East, Section 35.
Cabin Capacity: 4 people maximum.
Use Fee: $30.00 per night.
Season Available: All year. automobile access to the site runs from June 1 to November 1. Winter use will require alternate transportation such as skis, snowshoes, or snowmobile.
Area Attractions: Scenic drive along Wenatchee Creek Canyon breaks. Horse or hiker trail into Wenatchee Creek. Mushroom and berry picking. Wildlife viewing. Snowmobiling on groomed snowmobile trails. Cross-country skiing.
For questions on cabin rentals, please feel free to write our office at Pomeroy Ranger District, 71 W. Main, Pomeroy, WA 99347, or phone at 509-843-1891.
