Strawberry Mountain Wilderness, High Lake, and Roads End to Wildcat Basin loop

Strawberry Mountian Wilderness in Eastern Oregon is a real gem. Roads End and the trail to High Lake start at the end of a long drivable road that enters into the heart of the wilderness. On July 9th, 2021, we hiked down to High Lake and a ways past it, then because it was exposed to the sun, we decided to backtrack and hike out Roads End trail, then down into Wildcat Basin. The weather was perfect, and the hiking was awesome. The bugs weren't bad yet and Deet and permethrin-treated clothes were enough to keep them at bay. The Strawberry Mountain Wilderness is located South East of John Day, Oregon in the Blue Mountains and Malheur National Forest. It is 69,350 acres and includes scenic mountains and high mountain lakes. The Strawberry Mountain Wilderness also features more than 120 miles of hiking trails.