June ~ On Top of Mount Ireland

Going to the Top!

Wow...what can I say but this was a trip of a lifetime!

At the end of June I climbed to the TOP of Mount Ireland in NE Oregon!

The mountain was named after the first Forest Service Supervisor,

 Henry Ireland who served in the district for many years and died in 1916.

Mount Ireland is approximately 8500 feet above sea level and is the second highest peak in the blue mountains after Strawberry Mountain.

 I peaked Strawberry Mountain last summer.

I now have peaked over 26 mountains and buttes in Oregon...

(maybe more).....GOAL 100!

I need to write them down!

Below is a picture of me sitting on an enormous granite boulder covered in lichen.

Half of the trip I road a four wheeler and the rest is by foot.

Awwww....but once you get to the TOP! Paradise!

Below is beautiful Baldy Lake!

 Originally Mount Ireland was named Baldy Mountain, however the lake retained its original name!

In the distance you can see the North Fork John Day Wilderness.

Below is the Fire Watch Tower on the top where I had a wonderful and well deserved lunch!

The fire watch employee had not arrived yet 

 but I understand he has fabulous stories about Lightning!

I BET!

The rock formations look like someone intricately designed the layout for your personal viewing!

The mountains below are the Elk Horn range also part of the

 Blue Mountains. 

You can see Rock Creek Butte (9,106 feet) in the distance.

 By far the most exciting part of the day was to see wild mountain sheep in their own habitat!

Spectacular! What a fantastic treat to see Dad, Mom and Baby all together!

I was shocked how white they really are! Not yellowish...WHITE!

The mountain goat is not a goat but rather an outlying member of the antelope tribe.

 The nearest relatives of the goat are the serow of the Himalayas and the chamois of the Alps.

They were curious at first and gazed at me for a while. 

They soon became bored and slowly turned and walked away.

The high Alpine Flowers were just starting to bloom!

 Snow was still on the ground on parts of the trail.

I had never seen this beauty below....Alpine Lily!

Several others were blooming such as the 

Yellow Fawn Lily and Ball head Gilia. Don't you just love flower names?

The Strawberry Mountain Range is to the south of Mount Ireland.

I peaked Strawberry Mountain last summer!

The rolling colors of blue...all the mountains are part of the

 Blue Mountains! Gee I wonder why?

To the north the GRANDEST mountains of all.......The Wallowa's!

The land of the Nez Perce and Chief Joseph.

 What an adventure.....I need a NAP!

I hope all of you take a trip and see this wonderful and amazing country of ours!

We have all received such an amazing GIFT!

Have a Wonderful Day!

Your Artist Friend in the Wilds!

Jennifer & Max

HMMMM? Where will I go next?