Black Canyon Wilderness (Oregon)
{{Short description|Wilderness area in the Ochoco National Forest, US}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Black Canyon Wilderness
| iucn_category = Ib
| map = USA
| relief = 1
| map_caption =
| photo = Black Canyon Wilderness.jpg
| photo_caption = In Wheeler County
| location = Grant / Wheeler counties, Oregon, United States
| nearest_city = Dayville, Oregon
| coordinates = {{coord|44|20|13|N|119|39|15|W|display=inline, title}}
| area = {{convert|13400|acre|ha|0}}
| established = 1984
| governing_body = United States Forest Service
}}
The Black Canyon Wilderness of Oregon is a wilderness area in the Ochoco National Forest. It is within the drainage basin of the South Fork John Day River. It lies in Grant and Wheeler counties in Oregon. The nearest city is Paulina, in Crook County.[http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/centraloregon/recarea/?recid=79446 Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests - Black Canyon Wilderness] It was established in 1984 and encompasses {{convert|13400|acre|ha|0}}.
Topography
The elevation ranges from {{convert|2850|to|6483|ft|0}}. There are about {{convert|17|mi|km}} of developed trail; 80 percent of the wilderness has a grade exceeding 30 percent, typically steep canyons and sharp ridges.[http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/travel-ta-ochoco-national-forest-oregon-sidwcmdev_069263.html Black Canyon Wilderness] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523204939/http://www.gorp.com/parks-guide/travel-ta-ochoco-national-forest-oregon-sidwcmdev_069263.html |date=2010-05-23 }} - GORP Three sides of the canyon reach elevations to {{convert|6000|ft|m|0}}, while waters in the gorge have downcut through basalt lava, emptying into the South Fork John Day at {{convert|2800|ft|m|0}}.[http://www.publiclands.org/explore/site.php?id=4185&PHPSESSID=23cfeb7c9 Black Canyon Wilderness] - Public Lands Information Center
Flora and fauna
Much of the Black Canyon Wilderness consists of a dry sagebrush environment, but ponderosa pine, mountain mahogany, juniper, and fir forests can also be explored.
A wide range of vegetative conditions in the wilderness provide habitat for nearly 300 different species of wildlife, including black bear, cougar, deer, elk, and rattlesnake. Steelhead trout can be found in perennial streams, which they use for spawning. Wildflowers such as crimson columbine, lupine, and Indian paintbrush flourish throughout the wilderness.[http://www.wilderness.net/index.cfm?fuse=NWPS&sec=wildView&WID=52&tab=General Black Canyon Wilderness] - Wilderness.net
See also
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/centraloregon/recarea/?recid=79446 Black Canyon Wilderness] - Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests
- [http://www.publiclands.org/explore/site.php?id=4185&PHPSESSID=23cfeb7c9 Black Canyon Wilderness] - Public Lands Information Center
{{Protected Areas of Oregon}}
Category:Wilderness areas of Oregon
Category:Protected areas of Grant County, Oregon
Category:Protected areas of Wheeler County, Oregon
Category:Ochoco National Forest
Category:1984 establishments in Oregon
Category:Protected areas established in 1984
{{WheelerCountyOR-geo-stub}}
{{GrantCountyOR-geo-stub}}