Fremont National Forest
Around the Forest
The Fremont National Forest is located east of the Cascade Mountains, in the high-elevation lava
tablelands of south-central Oregon. The Forest totals 1,198,301 acres. The Oregon-California border
marks the Forest's southern boundary, while its eastern boundary includes part of the Warner Range. To
the north and west it is bounded by the Deschutes and Winema National Forests.
Lake County in which most of the Forest lies, is sparsely populated. Lakeview, population 2,800, is the
county's largest town.
A gentle to moderate terrain prevails over most of the Forest and elevations range between 4,000 and
8,000 feet above sea level. Slopes are generally 40% or less, although steep slopes along fault scarps and
in narrow drainages are not uncommon.
The Forest lies within a wide semi-arid highland belt which is often known as the"high desert country".
Average precipitation varies from 16 to 40 inches, with most of it falling during autumn, winter, and
spring. Temperatures fluctuate from about -30 degrees Fahrenheit to 100 degrees Fahrenheit, depending
on elevation and time of year. The diversity in temperature and precipitation on the Fremont National
Forest results in a sequence of distinct climatic regimes which support a wide variety of plant and animal
communities, with habitats ranging from near-desert to lush coniferous forests. Abundant stands of fir
occur at higher, north-facing elevations. Drought-tolerant tree species such as juniper and ponderosa pine
live in the Forest as well as white fir and lodgepole pine.
Recreation opportunities are plentiful, and popular activities include fishing, hunting, backpacking, cross-
country and downhill skiing, camping, and leisure driving. The Chewaucan, Sycan, and Sprague Rivers
are the major streams originating on Forest lands. Many of the Forest's small lakes and reservoirs are
popular fishing and camping areas.
Hiking and backpacking in the Fremont are not particularly difficult in terms of the terrain or in terms of
finding ones way. Elevation changes are gradual, considering that it is mountainous country. The Forest
contains many high, open places where one can have views extending for hundreds of miles. One of the
more popular trails in the forest is the Blue Lake/Palisade Rock Trail which runs through the Gearhart
Mountain Wilderness. There are numerous other trails in the Forest which traverse a wide variety of
landscapes and plane associations. Some of the other popular trails are Hager Mountain, Bear Creek,
Hanan, Cougar Peak, Campbell/Deadhorse Lakes, and Deadhorse Rim.
There are two National Recreation Trails in the Forest. They are Crane Mountains and Fremont.
Most of the trails in the Forest are open for a variety of uses, such as equestrian, motor bikes, and hiking.
However, trails in the Wilderness are closed to motorized vehicles and mountain bikes. The Crane
Mountain National Recreation Trail encourages only foot and horse travel. Most trails in the Forest are
free from snow and mud by May through October.
Winter activities, such as downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, snowshoeing and ice
fishing occur in the Fremont. The winter recreation season generally runs from December through March
with the exception of the Gearhart Mountain Wilderness, which is closed to snowmobiling.
There are two Oregon State Snow Parks located in the forest - Warner Canyon Sno-Park includes access
to downhill at the Warner Canyon Ski Area, designated cross-country ski trails and numerous back-
country opportunities. Quartz Mountain Sno-Park includes access to designated cross-country ski and
snowmobile trails and numerous winter back-country opportunities.
More than 300 species of fish and wildlife occur on the Forest. Game animals most often hunted include
mule deer, Rocky Mountain elk, and pronghorn antelope. Several varieties of trout inhabit Forest lakes
and streams, and a few lakes also support warm-water fish, such as largemouth bass. Waterfowl such as
Canada geese, whistling swans, and mallards are frequently seen. The Forest supports small populations
of some of the larger predators (black bear, mountain lion, and bobcat) and a great variety of nongame
species. Two threatened and endangered species, the bald eagle and the peregrine falcon, are found on
Forest lands, although the peregrine falcon presently occurs only as a rare migrant.
With over 600 miles of streams and many small lakes and reservoirs scattered across the Forest, the
Fremont has a rich diversity of fish species and habitat types. Largemouth bass, yellow perch, black and
white crappie and bullhead are the warmwater game fish found in the Forest, while a wide range of trout
represent the Forest's coldwater game fish.
Rainbow, red band and brown trout are found in the larger, lower elevation streams, while brook and bull
trout inhabit the cooler water of the smaller headwater streams. In addition, the Oregon Department of
Fish and Wildlife provides a generous stocking of fingerling rainbow trout, brook trout and kokonee in
server of the lakes and reservoirs. Because of the highly productive waters, these fish soon become fat and
sassy, taking only a year to reach a size any angler would enjoy catching.
Several of the Forest lakes and reservoirs also provide excellent angling for bass, crappie, yellow perch
and bullhead. Boat ramps, camping and day use areas provide additional comfort to the fishing
public.
Ice Fishing opportunities can be experienced at Dog Lake, cottonwood Reservoir and the Thompson
Reservoir.
The Gearhart Mountain Wilderness, totaling 22,823 acres, is the Forest's only wilderness. Other special
areas in the Forest include the Slide Rock Mountain Geologic Area, the scene of a massive slide on the
north face of the volcano. The Forest also includes two Wild and Scenic Rivers, the North Fork of the
Sprague Wild and Scenic River and the Sycan Wild and Scenic River.
To the north and west, the Fremont is bordered by the Deschutes and Winema National Forests.
The forest is less than two hours from Ashland, Oregon, and about seven hours from both San Francisco, California and Portland, Oregon.
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