Mount Ireland

Mount Ireland
Mount Ireland Grant County, Oregon, U.S.
Elevation	8,321 ft (2,536 m)[1]
Prominence	1,041 ft (317 m)[1]
Location
Range	Elkhorn Crest of the southern Blue Mountains
Coordinates	44°50′12″N 118°19′15″W / 44.8365334°N 118.3207768°W / 44.8365334; -118.3207768Coordinates: 44°50′12″N 118°19′15″W / 44.8365334°N 118.3207768°W / 44.8365334; -118.3207768[2]
Topo map	USGS Mount Ireland

Mount Ireland is a mountain in Grant County of the U.S. state of Oregon. It is about 5 miles (8 km) east-northeast of Granite, Oregon. It is the second highest peak in the Blue Mountains at 8,321 feet (2,536 m) after Strawberry Mountain, and Oregon's 71st highest peak. For a period of several years, this mountain peak was referred to as Bald Mountain but in 1975, it was changed to Ireland Mountain before formally becoming known as Mount Ireland.^[2] The name change was brought about by a cooperative effort of local citizens and the US Forest Service to honor Henry Ireland, a forest supervisor for many years, who had died in 1916.^[3]

Several gold mining claims were established in the area and are still identifiable on local forest maps. Some are still patented while others have long been abandoned.^[4]

Mount Ireland is located in the Wallowa-Whitman National Forest and outdoor enthusiasts are welcome to hike the Mt. Ireland Lookout Trail #1604^[5] which is open Summer and Fall. Though the trail is ranked as "more difficult", there are no restrictions. The trail covers 3.2 miles from an elevation of 6,000 feet at the trailhead and ends at the Mt. Ireland Fire Lookout established on the peak at an elevation of 8,321. The summit overlooks Baldy Lake on the north slope and though the mountain peak's name was changed, the small mountain lake retained its original name. The view from the summit provides an extensive panorama of the North Fork John Day Wilderness.^[1]

References