Morrow County High Point Trip Report

Black Mountain (5,932 ft)

Date: July 21, 2002
Author: Barney Metz

Adam Helman and myself came into this one at night, which made for some difficulty, and we slept at the gate on the road.

We approached through the town of Heppner, OR. Driving south on OR-207 go through Heppner and started to climb out of the valley that it lies in. You will see a turnoff for Willow Creek Road and for Willow Creek Reservoir. Follow Willow Creek Road southwest approximately 21 miles to a road after the Black Mountain signed road. Take a left on a county road; it will turn into FS 5326. If you are on Willow Creek Road, you should pass the Black Mountain Road, next left should be the county road and if you end up at Cutsforth Park (a Morrow County Campground) then you have gone too far. Once you have started going east on the county road you will see a Forest Service bulletin board, but it never indicates which road you are on. Proceed west on FS 5326 for a couple of miles and be looking for FS 030 heading south off to your left. Take this road to the gate.

Park and follow the road to the top. BM is found past the radio facilities.

Even if coming from Ukiah, FS53 is a nice paved road and would suit you better to follow it to above- described roads rather than come the long and slow gravel way that is described in reports by Ken Jones and Trapper Robbins.

Trip statistics: 4 miles round-trip with 1,000 ft elevation gain.