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Difference between revisions of "Elk Mountain Hike"

From Oregon Hikers Field Guide

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* Other featured landmarks:  
 
* Other featured landmarks:  
 
* Trail log: [[Elk/King's Hike/Log]]
 
* Trail log: [[Elk/King's Hike/Log]]
* Distance: 4 miles round trip  
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* Distance: 3 miles round trip  
 
* Elevation gain: 2000'  
 
* Elevation gain: 2000'  
 
* Difficulty: Difficult
 
* Difficulty: Difficult
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== Hike Description ==
 
== Hike Description ==
Elk Mountain and King's Mountain are two popular hiking destinations in the Oregon Coast range.  The trails are a little more rugged than typical Columbia Gorge or Mount Hood trails.  They are lower elevation than Mount Hood hikes so they are possible in the winter when Mount Hood trails are snowed in.  One popular mega-hike is to do the loop - Elk Mountain, King's Mountain, and then back along the Wilson River Trail.  There are two trailheads - Elk Mountain and King's Mountain.
 
 
There are four hikes mentioned here - [[Elk Mountain Hike]], [[King's Mountain Hike]], [[Elk Mountain/King's Mountain Loop]], and [[Elk Creek Hike]].  These cover all the trail sections but you could obviously construct other combinations.
 
 
 
{{elkkingcommon}}
 
{{elkkingcommon}}
  
Start from the [[North Burnt Lake Trailhead]]Take the Burnt Lake Trail (#772) which is the only trail out of the trailhead.  The trail goes gradually up for the first 2 miles along Lost Creek and the outlet creek from Burnt LakeThen the trail goes steeply up to [[Burnt Lake]] at mile 2.9 (4100' elevation).
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Start just past the Elk Creek CampgroundThe road continues, over a bridge, to a parking area.  There are two trails out of the trailhead - Take the Elk Mountain/Wilson River Trails up.  There's a good signThe other trail, the Elk Creek Trail follows the road past a closed gate.
 
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[[Image:Burntlake.JPG|thumb|300px|Burnt Lake from the Burnt Lake Trail Northwest of the lake]]
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Burnt Lake would make a good destination for an easy hikeThere is a trail around the lake (difficult to follow on the opposite side).  The lake has fishing.  There are 7 designated campsites, which can be full on summer weekends.
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Continuing on the trail, at mile 3.1 is a nice drinking water stream which is reliable year-round.
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After about 0.1 mile, there's another junction.  Take the Elk Mountain Trail up.  The other trail, the Wilson River Trail continues straight and fairly level. Again, there's a good sign.
  
At mile 3.4 (4600') the Burnt Lake Trail dead-ends at the Zigzag ridge and the Zigzag Mountain Trail (#775).  Make sure and remember where you came from for the return trip, the turn would be easy to miss.
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[[Image:elkmountaintrail.JPG|thumb|250px|Typical section of trail to Elk Mountain]]
  
There is a spot to camp, left (East) on the Zigzag Mountain Trail in about 0.1 miles. It's not much more than a flat area next to the trail, but there are some views, and the crowds really thin out if you go this direction.
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From here, the trail is fairly rugged, as the picture attempts to show. You probably have to use your hands at a few places. The trail goes up and down a bit over small knowls.  During the winter in can be snowy, and after rain it can be muddy making it almost impassable.
  
Go right on the Zigzag Mountain Trail.  After a while the trail enters an open meadow area with great views towards Mount Hood.  At mile 3.7 (4750') is the junction with the Burnt Lake Trail that goes down to the South Burnt Lake Trailhead (see [[South Burnt Lake Hike]]).  
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As you go along the trail, there are progressively better views down to the road, toward King's Mountain, and the rest of the Coast range.
  
Continue up the Zigzag Mountain Trail, up the East slope of East Zigzag Mountain to the summit at mile 4 (4970').  You get excellent views in every direction.  Check out the [[East Zigzag Bear Grass]] in June, also on the East slope.  There is a possible camp spot just to the West where there used to be a fire lookout.
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[[Image:elksummit.JPG|thumb|250px|Summit of Elk Mountain]]
  
To finish the hike, go back to the trailhead the way you came.
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There is a sign and log box at the summit.  There's a fairly large level area to soak in the views and rest.
  
If this hike isn't long enough for you try hiking to Paradise ParkThere are easier ways to get to Paradise Park - from Timberline Lodge or on the Paradise Park Trail, but if you're looking for a long hike on a trail with few people, try this.  Also, in the spring when there is too much snow to go from Timberline Lodge, this trail might work.
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When you're done looking around, go back the way you cameIf you want a very strenuous hike, the trail continues, see [[Elk Mountain/King's Mountain Loop]].
  
Where the Burnt Lake Trail reaches the Zigzag Mountain Trail go left (East).  At mile 5.3 (4900') there is an amazing view of Mount Hood and Paradise Park.  At mile 7 (5050') is a drinking water stream.  At mile 7.4 (5050') is the junction with the Paradise Park Trail (#775).  Go left (up) on the Paradise Park Trail, making sure you take a good look where you are coming from so you don't get lost on the way back.  At mile 7.6 (5280') is the junction with the Pacific Crest Trail (#2000), keep going straight.  At mile 8.2 (5750') is the junction with the Paradise Loop Trail (#757).  Go left here, again remembering where you came from.  You are now in Paradise Park, one of the nicest alpine areas on Mount Hood.  See the description of Timberline to Paradise Park for more detail.
 
 
== Maps ==
 
== Maps ==
 
[[Image:Map.jpg|thumb|Map, GPS track in jpeg format]]
 
[[Image:Map.jpg|thumb|Map, GPS track in jpeg format]]
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== Trip Reports ==
 
== Trip Reports ==
* [http://portlandhikers.com/forums/thread/4408.aspx Burnt Lake 8/9 good reflections today]
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* [http://portlandhikers.com/forums/thread/6390.aspx Elk-Kings Mtns Scramble 9-10-06]
* [http://portlandhikers.com/forums/thread/4132.aspx Burnt Lake / East Zig Zag summit 8/6/06]
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* [http://portlandhikers.com/forums/thread/4642.aspx Elk Mountain 8-12-06]
* [http://portlandhikers.com/forums/thread/3882.aspx Burnt Lake hike report 7-25-06]
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(Click [http://portlandhikers.com/forums/AddPost.aspx?ForumID=8 here] to add your own)
 
(Click [http://portlandhikers.com/forums/AddPost.aspx?ForumID=8 here] to add your own)
  

Revision as of 16:04, 2 January 2007

King's Mountain from the summit of Elk Mountain

Contents

Info

  • Start point: Elk Mountain Trailhead
  • End point: Elk Mountain Mountain
  • Other featured landmarks:
  • Trail log: Elk/King's Hike/Log
  • Distance: 3 miles round trip
  • Elevation gain: 2000'
  • Difficulty: Difficult
  • Seasons: spring, summer, fall, possible in the winter
  • Family Friendly: Yes
  • Backpackable: No
  • Crowded: Busy during summer and weekends, especially the first part to Burnt Lake

Hike Description

Elk Mountain and King's Mountain are two popular hiking destinations in the Oregon Coast range. The trails are a little more rugged than typical Columbia Gorge or Mount Hood trails. They are lower elevation than Mount Hood hikes so they are possible in the winter when Mount Hood trails are snowed in.

There are two trailheads - Elk Mountain and King's Mountain, off highway 6 between Portland and Tillamook.

There are four hikes mentioned here - Elk Mountain Hike, King's Mountain Hike, Elk Mountain-King's Mountain Loop Hike, and Elk Creek Hike. These cover all the trail sections but you could obviously construct other combinations.

Carry water - there are (almost) no sources of water along the trails. This area is best for day hiking but the Elk Creek Hike mentions a possible backpack.

The Mazamas have adopted these trails, so they are well marked and well maintained.

Start just past the Elk Creek Campground. The road continues, over a bridge, to a parking area. There are two trails out of the trailhead - Take the Elk Mountain/Wilson River Trails up. There's a good sign. The other trail, the Elk Creek Trail follows the road past a closed gate.

After about 0.1 mile, there's another junction. Take the Elk Mountain Trail up. The other trail, the Wilson River Trail continues straight and fairly level. Again, there's a good sign.

File:Elkmountaintrail.JPG
Typical section of trail to Elk Mountain

From here, the trail is fairly rugged, as the picture attempts to show. You probably have to use your hands at a few places. The trail goes up and down a bit over small knowls. During the winter in can be snowy, and after rain it can be muddy making it almost impassable.

As you go along the trail, there are progressively better views down to the road, toward King's Mountain, and the rest of the Coast range.

Summit of Elk Mountain

There is a sign and log box at the summit. There's a fairly large level area to soak in the views and rest.

When you're done looking around, go back the way you came. If you want a very strenuous hike, the trail continues, see Elk Mountain/King's Mountain Loop.

Maps

Map, GPS track in jpeg format


Fees, Regulations, etc.

Northwest Forest Pass required

Trip Reports

(Click here to add your own)

Related Discussions / Q&A

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Guidebooks that cover this hike

  • Title - 1st Edition, by Author

More Links

Contributors

Oregon Hikers Field Guide is built as a collaborative effort by its user community. While we make every effort to fact-check, information found here should be considered anecdotal. You should cross-check against other references before planning a hike. Trail routing and conditions are subject to change. Please contact us if you notice errors on this page.

Hiking is a potentially risky activity, and the entire risk for users of this field guide is assumed by the user, and in no event shall Trailkeepers of Oregon be liable for any injury or damages suffered as a result of relying on content in this field guide. All content posted on the field guide becomes the property of Trailkeepers of Oregon, and may not be used without permission.