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Umatilla National Forest 541-278-3716
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Recreational Trail Opportunities
North Fork John Day Ranger District
Hwy 244/P.O. Box 158
Ukiah, OR 97880
(541) 427-3231
North Fork John Day River Trail #3022 
SOUTH FORK DESOLATION #3001
BEGINNING: 5100' - Forest Road #45, just before is crosses the South Fork Desolation Creek.
ENDING: 7400' - Ends at the junction of the Blue Mt. Trail #6141 and Lost Creek Trail #3002, at the southern border of the Greenhorn Unit of the North Fork John Day Wilderness.
ACCESS: From Highway 395 near Dale, take Forest Road #10 east towards Olive Lake approx 22 miles. Head south on Forest Road #45 Approx. 1/4 of a mile. the trailhead is located on the left just before the bridge.
ATTRACTIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS: The area is signed. parking and dispersed camping is located near the trailhead. Beautiful meadow scenery. This trail is within the Vinegar Hill - Indian Rock Scenic Area. Open to hikers, pack & saddle stock & mountain bikes. No motorized access. Northwest Forest Pass is required.
Length: 8.1 Miles
Elevation: 5,700-7,400
USGS Quad Maps: Desolation Butte SW
Recommended Seasons: summer-fall
Use: medium
Difficulty Level: more difficult
CRANE CREEK TRAIL #3011
BEGINNING: 5500' - Crane Creek Flats, Forest Road #73.
ENDING: 4400' - Ends at the junction of the North Fork John Day Trail #3022.
ACCESS: Travel 5 miles north of Granite on Forest Road #73; or travel 45 miles southeast of Ukiah on Forest road 52/73 to Crane Creek Flat.
ATTRACTIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS: Limited parking is available. A few dispersed campsites are located near the trailhead. This trail is a popular route for elk hunters. The Crane Creek Trail is located within the North Fork John Day Wilderness. Closed to all motorized and mechanized equipment, including mountain bikes and carts. Trailpark Pass is required.
Length: 5.1 miles
Elevation: 5,500-4,400
USGS Quad Maps: Trout Meadows
Recommended Seasons: spring-fall
Use: light
Difficulty Level: more difficult
GLADE CREEK TRAIL #3014
BEGINNING: Cold Springs just off Forest Road #1010.
ENDING: Dixon Bar on North Fork John Day River Trail #3022.
ACCESS: From Highway 395 near Dale, head east 10 miles on Forest Road #10 towards Olive Lake. Turn Left on Forest Road #1010 and travel approx. 10 miles to the trailhead on the north side of the road.
ATTRACTIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS: The area is signed. Limited parking and dispersed camping is located near the trailhead. The trail may be difficult to follow the first mile from the trailhead and can be hazardous to ford the North Fork John Day River during high flow periods. The Glade Creek Trail is located within the North Fork John Day Wilderness. Closed to all motorized and mechanized equipment, including mountain bikes and carts.
Length: 7.0 Miles
Elevation: 5,700-7,400
USGS Quad Maps: Desolation Butte NW
Recommended Seasons: summer-fall
Use: Light/medium
Difficulty Level: more difficult
GRANITE CREEK TRAIL #3016
BEGINNING: 4300' - At the end of Forest Road #1035.
ENDING: 3900' - With its junction with the North Fork John Day River Trail #3022.
ACCESS: From Granite, head west on Forest Road #10 approx. 1.5 miles. Turn Right on Forest Road #1035 and travel approx. 3 miles to the end of the road. Trailhead is well signed.
ATTRACTIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS: The area is signed. Limited parking and dispersed camping is located near the trailhead. A large section of the Granite Creek Trail is located within the North Fork John Day Wilderness. This trail is one of the primary accesses in to the Wilderness. Several operational mining claims are located near the trail. Trailpark Pass is required. Closed to all motorized and mechanized equipment, including mountain bikes and carts.
Length: 3.4 Miles
Elevation: 4,300-3,000
USGS Quad Maps: Desolation Butte SE
Recommended Seasons: spring-fall
Use: medium
Difficulty Level: moderate
LAKE CREEK TRAIL #3018
BEGINNING: 6200' - Forest Road #1010, near O'Rourck Springs.
ENDING: 4000' - Ends at the junction with the Granite Creek Trail #3016.
ACCESS: From Highway 395 near Dale, head east 10 miles towards Olive Lake. Turn left on Forest Road #1010 and travel approx. 15 mile to the trailhead on the north side of the road.
ATTRACTIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS: The area is signed. Limited parking and dispersed camping is located near the trailhead. A few steep areas present a challenging route. The Lake Creek Trail is located within the North Fork John Day Wilderness. Closed to all motorized and mechanized equipment, including mountain bikes and carts.
Length: 4.9 Miles
Elevation: 6,200-4,000
USGS Quad Maps: Desolation Butte SW
Recommended Seasons: summer-fall
Use: medium
Difficulty Level: more difficult
FORKS TRAIL #3019
BEGINNING: 5200' - Forks Guard Station, 2 Miles South of Road #52 on Forest Road #5225
ENDING: 6300' - Forest Road #5225 near Silver Butte.
ACCESS: Travel southeast from Ukiah on Forest Road #52 approx. 24 miles, turn right on Forest Road #5225 approx. 3.5 miles to the Forks Guard Station. The trail takes off just behind the Station.
ATTRACTIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS: A developed spring can be found at the base of the trail. Limited parking is available. Dispersed campsites with corrals are located close to the trailhead. The Forks Trail is located within the North Fork John Day Wilderness. Closed to all motorized and mechanized equipment including mountain bikes and carts. Northwest Forest Pass required.
Length: 6.8 Miles
Elevation: 5,200-6,300
USGS Quad Maps: Desolation Butte SW
Recommended Seasons: summer-fall
Use: light
Difficulty Level: more difficult
NORTH FORK JOHN DAY RIVER TRAIL #3022
BEGINNING: 5200' - North Fork John Day Campground - Forest Road #52.
ENDING: 3350' - Forest Road #5506, Big Creek Campground.
ACCESS: From Ukiah, head southeast on Forest Road #52 approx. 40 miles to the North Fork John Day Campground.
ATTRACTIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS: The area is signed. Limited parking, toilets, and maintained Campground is located near the trailhead. The 23 miles of trial follows the river near the bottom of the North Fork drainage.
The trail, located in the North Fork John Day Wilderness, is popular for its fishing, hunting, hiking, and pack saddle recreational opportunities. Closed to all motorized and mechanized equipment, including mountain bikes and carts. Trailpark Pass required at the trailhead, and camping fee pass required in campground.
Length: 22.9 Miles
Elevation: 5,200-3,350
USGS Quad Maps: Desolation Butte
Recommended Seasons: spring-fall
Use: medium
Difficulty Level: moderate
SILVER BUTTE TRAIL #3025
BEGINNING: 6100' - At the end of Forest Road #5225.
ENDING: 3900' - With its junction with the North Fork John Day River Trail #3022.
ACCESS: From Ukiah, head 24 miles southeast on Forest Road #52 to Big Creek Meadows. Turn Right on Forest Road #5225 (Silver Butte Road). The trail Head is located 1/4 mile before the end of the road.
ATTRACTIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS: The area is signed. Limited parking and dispersed camping is located near the trailhead. The Silver Butte Trail is located in the North Fork John Day Wilderness. Closed to all motorized and mechanized equipment, including mountain bikes and carts.
Length: 4.5 Miles
Elevation: 6,100-3,900
USGS Quad Maps: Desolation Butte SE, NE
Recommended Seasons: summer-winter
Use: light/medium
Difficulty Level: more difficult
SOUTH WINOM TRAIL #3153
BEGINNING: 5000' - Left side of Forest Road #52-440 spur after crosses the bridge over Winom Creek.
ENDING: 3350 - Ends with its junction with Big Creek Trail #3151.
ACCESS: Head south from Ukiah on Forest road #52 approx. 23 miles to spur road #52-440. Go right on Road #52-440 for 1 mile. Trail begins to your left after you cross the bridge over Winom Creek.
ATTRACTIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS: The area is signed. Limited parking and dispersed camping is located near the trailhead. The South Winom Creek Trail is located within the North Fork John Day Wilderness. Closed to all motorized and mechanized equipment, including mountain bikes and carts. Wilderness regulations apply.
Length: 4.0 Miles
Elevation: 5,000-3,350
USGS Quad Maps: Desolation Butte NW; Pearson Ridge
Recommended Seasons: summer-fall
Use: light
Difficulty Level: more difficult
SQUAW CREEK TRAIL
BEGINNING: 5100' - Forest Road #52
ENDING: 5900' - Christensen Trail #3185
ACCESS: Travel 30 miles southeast of Ukiah on Forest Road #52
ATTRACTIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS: The trail is open to hikers and horses only. The tread is good and easy to follow. You will pass through several meadows along the trail. Connection trails include Tower Loop Trail #3040, Little Fly Trail #3048, and Christensen Trail #3185
Length: 1.5 Miles
Elevation: 5,100-5,900
USGS Quad Maps: Desolation Butte; Tower Mountain
Recommended Seasons: summer-fall
Use: light
Difficulty Level: Easy
SADDLE CAMP TRAIL #3035
BEGINNING: 5300' - Lost Creek/Saddle Camp Trailhead
ENDING: 6800' - Saddle Camp, joins Blue Mountain Trail #6141
ACCESS: From Highway 395 near Dale, head east 29 miles on Forest Road #10 to trailhead.
ATTRACTIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS: The area is signed. Limited parking, Olive Lake Campground is located approximately 1.5 miles from trailhead. A section of the trail is in the North Fork John Day Wilderness. Trailhead pass required. Trail closed to all motorized and mechanized equipment, including mountain bikes and carts.
Length: 4.25 Miles
Elevation: 6600' - 6800'
USGS Quad Maps: Desolation Butte
Recommended Seasons: summer-fall
Use: light/medium
Difficulty Level: More Difficult
BIG CREEK TRAIL #3151
BEGINNING: 5200' - The end of spur road #5225-020.
ENDING: 3350' - Ends Forest Road #5506 - Big Creek Meadow - See visitor map.
ACCESS: From Ukiah, head 24 miles southeast on Forest Road #52 to Big Creek Meadows . Turn right on Forest Road #5225 (Silver Butte Road) for 75 yards and take the first right on spur road #5225-020 and follow to its end.
ATTRACTIONS AND CONSIDERATIONS: The area is signed. Limited parking and dispersed camping is located within the North Fork John Day Wilderness. Trailpark pass is required. Trail is closed to all motorized and mechanized equipment, including mountainbikes and carts.
Length: 6.3 Miles
Elevation: 5200' - 3350'
USGS Quad Maps: Desolation Butte
Recommended Seasons: summer-fall
Use: light
Difficulty Level: More Difficult
USDA Forest Service - Umatilla National Forest
Last Modified:
Friday, 09-Jan-2004 13:36:02 EST