Here's a short off-trail hike over in the John Day Fossil Beds NM area, within the Sutton Mountain Wilderness Study Area. It's accessed from the Twickenham-Bridge Creek Cutoff, a few miles from the Painted Hills. I've included a sketch map with a couple of options, both short and easy -- so long as you don't step on rattlesnakes...
The destination is a cool Blue Basin-like formation on the west slope of Sutton Mountain. I'm eager to get over there again and visit in late afternoon -- the evening light should be quite nice here. I happened to be there midday with temps in the mid-90s, so it was a BIT toasty!
Some photos, starting with the north approach to Stovepipe Cove -- this road spur ends at a "trailhead" about 150 feet from here, though I recommend parking at the main (gravel) Twickenham Cuttoff and walking this. It's a nice road, but undoubtedly slick and sketchy in spring and winter. The cliffs of Sutton Mountain rising in the distance, Stovepipe Cove is on the other side of the low, sage/juniper covered hill rising dead-ahead above the road:
Stovepipe Cove appears after a short walk cross-country through open desert grasslands and sagebrush:
...closer view... it was hot and steamy and I was watching a thunderhead form directly above me! Later, there was a spectacular lightning display (after I was back to the TH, fortunately!)...
...detailed view of the formation at Stovepipe Cove -- shades of white, yellow and gold... I'll be back for an evening view!
Pano view of Stovepipe Cove from the spot where it comes into view after following the dry outflow wash into the cove...
Look! I found an old fossil in the fossil beds! Hot, tired and happy old fossil after finally visiting this spot...
Here's the general map of the spot -- a modest cross-country hike that can be approach from two spots. They're equally nice, though the north approach is easiest, since it follow the old access spur for much of the way. The south approach is also easy to navigate, however, since you follow the outflow wash and can see the cove ahead for most of the route.
Not sure if I should add this to the Oregon Hikers Field Guide... I'll defer to John on that. I wouldn't have a problem with a user trail forming here -- there are already well-developed game trails -- and this is so far off the grid that i don't think it would put the formations at risk... John?
-Tom
