Aldrich Mountain Lookout Traditional Geocache
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A forested drive to a lookout. A car can easily reach the parking lot.
Aldrich Mountain and it's lookout can be found in one of the least known areas of Oregon. The Aldrich mountain range can be seen along the south side of US Hwy 26 between Dayville and Mount Vernon in east central Oregon. The mountain and the lookout are on the western end.
The incredible views from the top include the vast stretches of the Malheur forest and Strawberry mountains to the north, east and south. To the west is the South Fork John Day river drainage. The river marks the divide between the Malheur and Ochoco national forests. Wolf Mountain lookout is just 13.5 miles to the west.
The July flowers were out in full force when we visited. We had a great chat with Marty. He and his wife are manning the lookout this summer. Be sure to say hi.
The lookout was built in 1960 to replace an identical one built the year before and immediately burned. It has two cabins, one on top and one underneath. They actually have a guest bedroom, although not for rent. Marty says that there was another original site 200' to the west and there is evidence to support that.
For more information, see Rex's fire lookouts.
(visit link)
To get there, find forest road 21, about half way between Dayville and Mount Vernon and go south up Fields Creek about 9-10 miles. Turn right onto a well maintained dirt road (2150) and go 15 miles to the parking lot. It is good road the whole way in the summer. From the parking lot, it is less than a 1/4 hike to the lookout tower. Cache is closer.
Enjoy your outing.
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