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Coordinates: 44°28′39″N 120°31′33″W / 44.47750°N 120.52583°W / 44.47750; -120.52583
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{{short description|Wilderness area in the Ochoco National Forest, Oregon, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox protected area
{{Infobox protected area
| name = Mill Creek Wilderness
| name = Mill Creek Wilderness
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| location = [[Crook County, Oregon]], United States
| location = [[Crook County, Oregon]], United States
| nearest_city = [[Prineville, Oregon]]
| nearest_city = [[Prineville, Oregon]]
| coordinates = {{coord|44|28|39|N|120|31|33|W|region:US|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
| lat_d = 44 | lat_m = 28 | lat_s = 39 | lat_NS = N
| long_d = 120 | long_m = 31 | long_s = 33 | long_EW = W
| region = US
| coords_ref =
| coords_ref =
| area = {{convert|17400|acre|-1}}
| area = {{convert|17400|acre|-1}}
Line 20: Line 20:
}}
}}


'''Mill Creek Wilderness''' is a [[wilderness area]] located in the [[Ochoco National Forest]] of central [[Oregon]]. It was established in 1984 and comprises {{convert|17400|acre|-1}}.<ref name="usfs">[http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/recreation/special/wilderness/millcreek.shtml Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests] - Mill Creek Wilderness</ref> Of the three wilderness areas in the Ochoco National Forest - Mill Creek, [[Bridge Creek Wilderness|Bridge Creek]], and [[Black Canyon Wilderness (Oregon)|Black Canyon]] - Mill Creek is the largest and most heavily used.<ref name="usfs2">[http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/manageinfo/nepa/documents/lookout/bandit2/chapter3b.html Bandit II EA - Chapter 1<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
'''Mill Creek Wilderness''' is a [[wilderness area]] located in the [[Ochoco National Forest]] of central [[Oregon]]. It was established in 1984 and comprises {{convert|17400|acre|-1}}.<ref name="usfs">[http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/recreation/special/wilderness/millcreek.shtml Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests] - Mill Creek Wilderness</ref> Of the three wilderness areas in the Ochoco National Forest - Mill Creek, [[Bridge Creek Wilderness|Bridge Creek]], and [[Black Canyon Wilderness (Oregon)|Black Canyon]] - Mill Creek is the largest and most heavily used.<ref name="usfs2">[http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon/manageinfo/nepa/documents/lookout/bandit2/chapter3b.html Bandit II EA – Chapter 1<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>


The first sawmill in [[Crook County, Oregon|Crook County]] was located on Mill Creek, hence its name.<ref>{{cite book
The first sawmill in [[Crook County, Oregon|Crook County]] was located on Mill Creek, hence its name.<ref>{{cite book
| last = McArthur
| last = McArthur
| first = Lewis A.
| first = Lewis A.
| authorlink =
|author2=Lewis L. McArthur
|author2=Lewis L. McArthur
| title = Oregon Geographic Names
| title = Oregon Geographic Names
| origyear = 1928
| orig-year = 1928
| edition = Seventh
| edition = Seventh
| year = 2003
| year = 2003
| publisher = [[Oregon Historical Society]] Press
| publisher = [[Oregon Historical Society]] Press
| location = [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]], [[Oregon]]
| location = [[Portland, Oregon|Portland]], [[Oregon]]
| id = ISBN 0-87595-277-1 (trade paperback), ISBN 0-87595-278-X (hardcover)
| ISBN = 0-87595-277-1
}} (paperback; {{ISBN|0-87595-278-X}} hardcover)</ref>
}}</ref>


==Topography==
==Topography==
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==Geology==
==Geology==
[[File:ThundereggOR.jpg|thumb|right|Oregon thunderegg]]
[[File:ThundereggOR.jpg|thumb|right|Oregon thunderegg]]
Mill Creek Wilderness features some unique geological features. Popular among visitors are the {{convert|200|ft|sing=on}} tall [[volcanic plug]]s in the northwest portion of the Wilderness, Twin Pillars.<ref name="usfs"/> [[Thunderegg]]s, the state rock of Oregon, have been found in the Wilderness at Desolation Canyon and just outside the boundary at Steins Pillar. [[Rockhounding]] is no longer permitted.<ref>[http://www.oregongeology.com/sub/learnmore/thundereggs.HTM Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries] - Gems and Minerals in Oregon</ref>
Mill Creek Wilderness features some unique geological features. Popular among visitors are the {{convert|200|ft|adj=on}} tall [[volcanic plug]]s in the northwest portion of the Wilderness, Twin Pillars.<ref name="usfs"/> [[Thunderegg]]s, the state rock of Oregon, have been found in the Wilderness at Desolation Canyon and just outside the boundary at Steins Pillar. [[Rockhounding]] is no longer permitted.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20160323031502/http://www.oregongeology.org/sub/learnmore/thundereggs.HTM Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries] - Gems and Minerals in Oregon</ref>


There are several gemstone mining claims located in Mill Creek Wilderness. The claims are all small surface operations and access is provided by primitive roads.<ref name="gorp"/>
There are several gemstone mining claims located in Mill Creek Wilderness. The claims are all small surface operations and access is provided by primitive roads.<ref name="gorp"/>


==Vegetation==
==Vegetation==
A mix of [[conifer]] tree species account for approximately 84% of the forested area of Mill Creek Wilderness. The northwest corner plateau area, Bingham Prairie, is mostly forested with [[lodgepole pine]], which have recently been attacked by the [[mountain pine beetle]], causing some trees to die.<ref name="gorp"/> In August and September 2000, the Hash Rock Fire burned {{convert|14236|acre}} of the Mill Creek Wilderness.<ref name="usfs2"/> However, the area is quickly recovering and currently contains examples of an exemplary [[climax community|climax forest]] of [[ponderosa pine]].<ref name="wildnet"/> Other plants in Mill Creek Wilderness include [[aster (genus)]], [[bull thistle]], [[snowberry]], and both native and non-native species of grass.<ref>Ellen Morris Bishop, ''Hiking Oregon's Geology'', The Mountaineers Books: Seattle, Wash., 2004, p. 212, ISBN 0-674-01532-0</ref>
A mix of [[conifer]] tree species account for approximately 84% of the forested area of Mill Creek Wilderness. The northwest corner plateau area, Bingham Prairie, is mostly forested with [[lodgepole pine]], which have recently been attacked by the [[mountain pine beetle]], causing some trees to die.<ref name="gorp"/> In August and September 2000, the Hash Rock Fire burned {{convert|14236|acre}} of the Mill Creek Wilderness.<ref name="usfs2"/> However, the area is quickly recovering and currently contains examples of an exemplary [[climax community|climax forest]] of [[ponderosa pine]].<ref name="wildnet"/> Other plants in Mill Creek Wilderness include [[aster (genus)]], [[bull thistle]], [[snowberry]], and both native and non-native species of grass.<ref>Ellen Morris Bishop, ''Hiking Oregon's Geology'', The Mountaineers Books: Seattle, Wash., 2004, p. 212, {{ISBN|0-674-01532-0}}</ref>


==Wildlife==
==Wildlife==
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[[Category:Protected areas of Crook County, Oregon]]
[[Category:Protected areas of Crook County, Oregon]]
[[Category:Wilderness Areas of Oregon]]
[[Category:Wilderness areas of Oregon]]
[[Category:Ochoco National Forest]]
[[Category:Ochoco National Forest]]
[[Category:1984 establishments in Oregon]]
[[Category:1984 establishments in Oregon]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1984]]

Latest revision as of 03:58, 9 January 2025

Mill Creek Wilderness
Map showing the location of Mill Creek Wilderness
Map showing the location of Mill Creek Wilderness
LocationCrook County, Oregon, United States
Nearest cityPrineville, Oregon
Coordinates44°28′39″N 120°31′33″W / 44.47750°N 120.52583°W / 44.47750; -120.52583
Area17,400 acres (7,040 ha)
Established1984
Governing bodyU.S. Forest Service

Mill Creek Wilderness is a wilderness area located in the Ochoco National Forest of central Oregon. It was established in 1984 and comprises 17,400 acres (7,040 ha).[1] Of the three wilderness areas in the Ochoco National Forest - Mill Creek, Bridge Creek, and Black Canyon - Mill Creek is the largest and most heavily used.[2]

The first sawmill in Crook County was located on Mill Creek, hence its name.[3]

Topography

[edit]

Mill Creek Wilderness consists of towering stone pinnacles, steep canyons, barren ridge tops, and high elevation meadows. A unique feature of this wilderness is the pair of volcanic plugs called Twin Pillars.[1][4] The northwest corner of the Wilderness is Bingham Prairie, an almost flat plateau with open meadows and a lodgepole pine forest.[5] Mill Creek drains approximately 85% of the Wilderness, with Marks Creek drainage accounting for the difference. Both creeks are tributaries of Ochoco Creek.[5]

Geology

[edit]
Oregon thunderegg

Mill Creek Wilderness features some unique geological features. Popular among visitors are the 200-foot (61 m) tall volcanic plugs in the northwest portion of the Wilderness, Twin Pillars.[1] Thundereggs, the state rock of Oregon, have been found in the Wilderness at Desolation Canyon and just outside the boundary at Steins Pillar. Rockhounding is no longer permitted.[6]

There are several gemstone mining claims located in Mill Creek Wilderness. The claims are all small surface operations and access is provided by primitive roads.[4]

Vegetation

[edit]

A mix of conifer tree species account for approximately 84% of the forested area of Mill Creek Wilderness. The northwest corner plateau area, Bingham Prairie, is mostly forested with lodgepole pine, which have recently been attacked by the mountain pine beetle, causing some trees to die.[4] In August and September 2000, the Hash Rock Fire burned 14,236 acres (5,761 ha) of the Mill Creek Wilderness.[2] However, the area is quickly recovering and currently contains examples of an exemplary climax forest of ponderosa pine.[5] Other plants in Mill Creek Wilderness include aster (genus), bull thistle, snowberry, and both native and non-native species of grass.[7]

Wildlife

[edit]

Mill Creek Wilderness is home to a variety of wildlife, including black bear, wild turkey, pileated woodpecker, goshawk, elk, mule deer, bobcat, and mountain lion.[1][5] The Wilderness is popular with big game hunters during the fall, and anglers often seek the small rainbow trout that inhabit its perennial streams.[1]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Deschutes & Ochoco National Forests - Mill Creek Wilderness
  2. ^ a b Bandit II EA – Chapter 1
  3. ^ McArthur, Lewis A.; Lewis L. McArthur (2003) [1928]. Oregon Geographic Names (Seventh ed.). Portland, Oregon: Oregon Historical Society Press. ISBN 0-87595-277-1. (paperback; ISBN 0-87595-278-X hardcover)
  4. ^ a b c Mill Creek Wilderness, Oregon - GORP
  5. ^ a b c d Mill Creek Wilderness - Wilderness.net
  6. ^ Oregon Department of Geology and Mineral Industries - Gems and Minerals in Oregon
  7. ^ Ellen Morris Bishop, Hiking Oregon's Geology, The Mountaineers Books: Seattle, Wash., 2004, p. 212, ISBN 0-674-01532-0
[edit]
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