Eastern Oregon - Washington, Oregon and the Pacific Northwest - page 713

High Lake Basin (2.6 miles round-trip) from a trailhead high up the mountainside. From
USFS Rd 16, turn on USFS Rd 1640 toward Indian Springs Campground . The trail-
head is 11 miles up a steep gravel road.
There are several good campgrounds, including Trout Farm ( 541-820-3800; County
Rd 62; campsites $8) , a lovely stream-side spot 15 miles south of Prairie City. Water avail-
able.
For more information, contact the Prairie City Ranger District ( 541-820-3800; 327

Front St; 8am-4:30pm Mon-Fri) in Prairie City.

TOP OF CHAPTER

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument
Within the soft rocks and crumbly soils of John Day country lies one of the world's
greatest fossil collections. Discovered in the 1860s by clergyman and geologist Thomas
Condon, these fossil beds were laid down between six and 50 million years ago, when
this area was a coastal plain with a tropical climate. Roaming the forests at the time were
saber-toothed, felinelike nimravids, bear-dogs, pint-sized horses and other early mam-
mals.
The fossils of more than 2200 different plant and animal species have been found here.
The national monument includes 22 sq miles at three different units: Sheep Rock Unit,
Painted Hills Unit and Clarno Unit. Each has hiking trails and interpretive displays. To
visit all of the units in one day requires quite a bit of driving, as more than 100 slow
miles of curving roads separate the fossil beds - it's best to take it easy and spend the
night somewhere.
Note that this is a National Monument, and no fossil, rock or plant collecting is al-
lowed. Also note it gets very hot in July and August.

Sights & Activities

Sheep Rock Unit GEOLOGICAL SITE
Featuring the most walks and hikes, this unit is also closest to the Thomas Condon Pale-
ontology Center. Above loom majestic, layered mountains tilted and eroding into spec-
tacular formations that date back 28 million years. Fossils are continually being exposed
here.