52. Sutton Mountain Summit (Sutton Mountain Unit)

Suggested Citation: Kerr, Andy. 2000. Oregon Desert Guide: 70 Hikes. Seattle: The Mountaineers Books. p. 199.

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What to Expect: Spectacular views of the John Day country, including the Painted Hills from above

Distance: 6.8 miles round trip

Elevation Range: 3,120-4,694 feet

Drinking Water: No

Best Times: Spring, summer, fall

USGS 7.5' Maps: Sutton Mountain, Toney Butte

Oregon Map Starting Point: Mitchell

1 mile west on US 26 is a turnoff for OR 207. The trailhead is 50 yards north of milepost 15 on OR 207. Park off the highway. Walk down a driveway, through a fence, and bear north to the "Road Closed" sign. A four-wheel-drive track will take you to the summit. You start on the Toney Butte quad and soon move to the Sutton Mountain quad. In about 2.2 miles, you'll come to an 8 x 8 fencepost. Bear south and uphill and don't follow the unmapped track along the fence to the west.

Return as you came.

Because of the paucity of public land in the area, car-camping spots are rare. For primitive car camping, at 100 yards southwest of milepost 20 on OR 207 between Mitchell and Service Creek, take the dirt track through the gate (with the BLM public land sign) northwest into the juniper. Public camping is also available along the John Day River.