On Wednesday, August 6, I climbed Castle Rock, a steep volcanic plug north of the community of Juntura in Eastern Oregon. It seems located in a transition region between Oregon’s Blue Mountains and High Lava Plains. I have often noted Castle Rock rising above as I drove east over Drinkwater Pass between Burns and Juntura. Castle Rock is also prominent to the south from many peaks in the southern Blue Mountains. In fact, it has 1524 feet of topographic prominence and a distinctive shape.
I began my adventure the day before, Tuesday, driving from the Baker Valley to Juntura. From Juntura I followed the Juntura-Riverside Road, then a more primitive road to the summit of Black Butte. This Black Butte is a prominent peak west of Juntura. From the summit of Black Butte I could see my next goal, Castle Rock, to the north.
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