The geology is notably different than the popular volcanic hikes found in the. This list contains all the summits in the elkhorn mountains that are named or have at least 300 feet of prominence and are over 8,000 feet in elevation. The snowcapped elkhorn mountains set the stage for this twohour vintage train ride, which runs between the small towns of mcewen and sumpter a historic mining town just west of baker city. Elkhorn crest an alpine paradise for backpackers, bikers. May 01, 20 eastern oregon one of the tallest mountains in oregon at 9,700 feet, steens mountain is also one of the easiest to summit. Of the most prominent summits of oregon, mount hood exceeds 2000 meters 6562 feet of topographic prominence. If youre into rockhounding, sleeping near the legendary maury mountain agate beds could be a dream come true. It is an inactive volcanic mountain range with the highest point being crow peak at 9,414 ft 2,869 m, right next to elkhorn peak, 9,381 ft 2,859 m. Guide to backpacking oregons elkhorn crest trail field mag. Elkhorn mountains is a mountain in oregon and has an elevation of 7425 feet. To start, simply choose the area of oregon that interests you, or sample one of bills top 14 hikes. Aug 10, 2016 this weekend we took a long trip down to the elkhorn mountains for a two nighter.
Yes, more famous strawberry mountain is only second highest in the blues. For details and a map, purchase matt reeders book 101 hikes in the. Boasting 28 campsites, olive lake campground includes access to 7 toilet facilities, hiking trails, scenic area trails, and a lake with a boat ramp, and. All aboard oregons winter sleigh and train rides travel oregon. Anthony lakes camping, wallowawhitman national forest elkhorn mountains, oregon a hike, mountain bike, backcountry ski, nordic ski, snowmobile, water destination in northeast oregon. The elkhorn mountains are a mountain range, part of the blue mountains, in the northeastern part of oregon in the united states. The elkhorns are especially known for the beauty and productivity of the plentiful mountain meadows and grassy parks.
Below are weather averages from 1971 to 2000 according to data gathered from the nearest official weather station. Oregon is a book for all those interested in oregons landscapes and environments. From this ridge you can scramble of multiple peaks, including the highest in the ridge. Ap heres a guide to almost all of the best easy, moderate and challenging hikes at anthony lake and the elkhorn mountains. There are other hikes around here, and a multitude of trails in the area. Fields peak 7362 ft moore mountain 7060 ft moon mountain 7043 ft ingle mountain 6771 ft. The elkhorn crest trail follows the granite spine of the elkhorn range, a range of the blue mountains found in northeastern oregon. Enjoy conquering historic hiking trails or take on mount hood on skis for an experience not soon to be forgotten. We were supposed to hike 10 miles back to the anthony lakeelkhorn crest trail head and be done. Panoramic views of the baker valley and the wallowa mountains meet the eye to the east, while the endless folds of the blue mountains fade away to the south and west. All this sits within view of i84 near the baker city, and most folks just drive on by, missing some stunning scenery and an excellent chance at seeing. The river originates near cracker saddle high on the elkhorn ridge of the blue mountains at nearly 8,000 feet. Hike description the stunning elkhorn crest national recreation trail takes a high ridge along the length of the elkhorn range past some of the highest peaks in oregons blue mountains. Journey into the elkhorn mountains of eastern oregon.
Guide to hiking the elkhorn mountains statesman journal. Twin lakes and the elkhorn crest national scenic trail trip. There are at least 100 mountain goats that roam the area and its amazing to watch. Elkhorn wildlife management unit home us forest service. The trail is primarily used for hiking, off road driving, and snowshoeing and is best used from may until october. Noah peters, 7, celebrates hiking to black lake in the elkhorn mountains of eastern oregon. Just a generation ago, a hunter would have been hardpressed to find a mature male elk in the elkhorn mountains. Eastern oregon hikes hiking in portland, oregon and washington. The trail itself is a 23mile oneway backpack, but the two highest peaks in the range, rock creek butte and elkhorn peak can be reached in a day hike.
Welcome to oregons favorite hiking area, the mountains between the willamette. The trail itself is a 23mile oneway backpack, but the two highest peaks in the range, rock creek butte and elkhorn peak can be. The lake is accessed by a trail just short of 3 miles in distance, and ft. They are one of the most diverse and interesting landscapes in northeast oregon with glaciated alpine mountains, dramatic river canyons and remote roadless areas yet most hiking activity is confined to just two sites. One of oregons most scenic trails tightropes the spine of eastern oregon mountains. Located near the elkhorn mountain range, the 12,000acre elkhorn wildlife area is famous for the rocky mountain elk and mule deer herds that call this area home during winter. Ap heres a guide to almost all of the best easy, moderate and challenging hikes at anthony lake and the elkhorn. From marble pass, its 5 miles on elkhorn crest trail to the base of the butte 10 miles roundtrip.
A backpackers guide to eastern oregons elkhorn crest trail. The elkhorn crest trail runs along the elkhorn ridge of the blue mountains in eastern oregon. Hike the elkhorn crest trail, marble pass trail head. Theyre an island range, and run about 30 miles northsouth, with the tallest peaks at around 9,400. There are many ways to dayhike, backpack and mountain bike the. The stunning elkhorn crest national recreation trail takes a high ridge along the length of the elkhorn range past some of the highest peaks in oregon s blue mountains. The elkhorn mountains are partly within the wallowawhitman national forest and the north fork john day wilderness. The north portion of the high elkhorn portion runs approximately from the junction of the union, granite and baker county lines southward along the bakergrant county border before turning southeast for the.
The elkhorn crest trail is a national recreation trail and the highest trail in the blue mountains, crossing alpine and subalpine life zones up to 8,200 elevation. Recreation opportunities include hunting, fishing, sightseeing, horseback riding, hiking, snowmobiling, skiing, camping, and whitewater rafting. Anthony lakes camping, wallowawhitman national forest. Four peaks are ultraprominent summits with more than 1500 meters 4921 feet of topographic prominence and 12 peaks exceed meters 3281 feet of topographic prominence.
The animals are not particularly fearful of humans. Jul 24, 2015 journey into the elkhorn mountains of eastern oregon zach urness, statesman journal published 12. For the peakbaggers out there, the elkhorns contain of. The high point of the elkhorn range, 9,106foot high rock creek butte, is also the high point of the blue mountains in oregon. One of oregons most beautiful backpacking routes, the 22. We arrived saturday and hiked up to twin lakes from the trailhead at forest service road 030. Located just 12 miles west of the mining town, granite, this campground is situated high in the blue mountains of eastern oregon in the umatilla national forest on the edge of a beautiful lake. He is the author of the book hiking southern oregon and can be. A guide to hiking elkhorn mountains in eastern oregon outdoors. This chapter taken from the book 100 hikestravel guide. A breakdown of the easy and challenging hikes in the eastern oregon mountains. Shop for washington and oregon hiking guidebooks at rei free u. Today, i visited horsethief park, which is accessed by fs trail 117 up pole creek, out of. The elkhorn mountains are a mountain range in southwestern montana, part of the rocky mountains and are roughly 300,000 acres 1200 km.
The elkhorn mountains are a mountain island, which provide a spectrum of habitats for a wide variety of plants and animals. Journey into the elkhorn mountains of eastern oregon zach urness, statesman journal published 12. Jul 24, 2015 noah peters, 7, celebrates hiking to black lake in the elkhorn mountains of eastern oregon. Elkhorn crest trail in northeast oregon is a unique pathway the. Elkhorn campground is one of the free rugged campsites in the maury mountains. Hill provides lists that appeal to a variety of hikers interests, such as best beach and coastal. Elkhorn crest hike hiking in portland, oregon and washington. In this photo taken on july 8, 2015, the mountain goats of twin lakes basin stand on the elkhorn mountains of eastern oregon west of baker city. Within the first 20 yards, the trail crosses an irrigation ditch, then begins a long climb northwest above the stream through big ponderosas. These are my goto for backpacking and camping year round.
The elkhorn mountains are partly within the wallowawhitman national forest and the north fork john day wilderness see also. Ive hiked extensively in the elkhorn mountains, which are a few miles southeast of town. Top quality, great selection and expert advice you can trust. One of oregon s better mountain viewpoints is a short way south from the top of the anthony lakes ski areas chairlfit, 20 miles west of north powder and interstate 84 on elkhorn drive. Elkhorn mountains is a mountain in montana and has an elevation of 4944 feet. Sullivans favorite oregon places, including photos and descriptions of 500 hiking trails. Phillips lake reservoir, union creek campground elkhorn mountains, or. Living in helena, mt, presents a wealth of hiking options. The elkhorn mountains are situated in the central portion of the extensive blue mountains that extend from southeast washington into adjacent oregon in a northeast to southeast orientation. W hether youre looking for a short and fitnessworthy hike, a day fishing trip, or a family trip, van patten lake vpl in the elkhorn mountains of oregon offers it all.
Northern oregon from majestic mount hood to the green and sprawling willamette valley, oregon s mount hood territory is a place to be explored. Hike these 34 oregon mountains for epic eclipse views. The hike begins at an unsigned trailhead north off road 5520, just before it passes over killamacue creek. How controversial hunting regulations restored big bulls to the elkhorn mountains. The elkhorn mountains have got to be the most underrated chain in oregon, with awesome high lakes, gorgeous glaciercarved valleys, and mountain goats dotting the high alpine ridges. The highest point in the range is rock creek butte, which is 9,106 feet 2,776 m above sea level. Elkhorn mountains travel and recreation map map january 1, 2002 see all formats and editions hide other formats and editions. Rock creek butte 9,106 ft and elkhorn peak 8,931 ft. The easiest, a 2mile roundtrip hike, starts at a trailhead on forest service. Oct 29, 2019 5 gear essentials for backpacking oregons elkhorn crest trail. Hike the elkhorn crest trail, marble pass trail head, elkhorn ridge. Washington and oregon hiking guidebooks sale on now rei coop.
Packed with useful information, moon oregon hiking covers a wide selection of hiking trails that will not only inspire a wonderful walk on the wild side, but will also provide an appreciative understanding of the unique landscape that is oregon. This story is featured in montana outdoors novemberdecember 2010 issue. There are five campsites which can be overgrown if you arrive early in the season, but hey, you didnt have to pay to stay here. The northeasternmost of the blue mountains with the exception of the excluded wallowas, the elkhorns are a range of high elevation peaks laying between the north fork of the john day river and baker valley. The geology is notably different than the popular volcanic hikes found in the pacific northwest. Your best chance to see the elk is at the anthony creek feeding station near the john mckean memorial. From near anthony lake, hike the elkhorn crest trail south a mile to black lake, then walk offtrail east to reach the summit. Elkhorn crest trail, prospero, sugar bear, york by rock rabbit photo.
A guide to hiking elkhorn mountains in eastern oregon. The shadow appears to be a human face in late december and january on a clear day. This is a view of the elkhorn mountains from baker city, oregon. If you know how they go please email me and i will post it on this page. You can practically drive to the top and then scramble up the rest on a trail. For the peakbaggers out there, the elkhorns contain of the top 100 highest peaks in oregon minimum 500 feet prominence. Digital versions of sullivans books are now available from amazon kindle for 9. While dayhiking and backpacking are the most popular uses, the fastestgrowing activity on the elkhorn crest is mountain biking. Hike the elkhorn crest trail, marble pass trail head, elkhorn. Water sources and flat campsites are limited along on the trail, so it is a good idea to plan on visiting the many lakes along the way.
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