Difference between revisions of "Elk Mountain Hike"
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[[Category:Northwest Oregon]] | [[Category:Northwest Oregon]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Coast Range]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Tillamook State Forest]] | ||
| + | [[Category:All Season Hikes]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Moderate Hikes]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Wildflower Hikes]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Scrambles]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Viewpoint Hikes]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Hikes]] | ||
| − | [[Image:kingsfromelk.JPG|thumb|400px|King's Mountain from the summit of Elk Mountain]] | + | [[Image:kingsfromelk.JPG|thumb|400px|King's Mountain from the summit of Elk Mountain ''(Jerry Adams)'']] |
| + | [[Image:elkmountaintrail.JPG|thumb|250px|Typical section of trail to Elk Mountain ''(Jerry Adams)'']] | ||
| + | [[Image:elksummit.JPG|thumb|250px|Summit of Elk Mountain ''(Jerry Adams)'']] | ||
| + | [[Image:elksouth.JPG|thumb|250px|Looking South from the summit of Elk Mountain ''(Jerry Adams)'']] | ||
| + | [[Image:elkkingsmap.jpg|thumb|400px|Map of Elk Mountain/King's Mountain area]] | ||
| − | + | {{Start point|Elk Creek Trailhead}} | |
| − | + | ||
* End point: [[Elk Mountain]] | * End point: [[Elk Mountain]] | ||
| − | + | * Trail log: [[Elk Mountain Hike/Log|Trail Log]] | |
| − | * Trail log: [[Elk | + | {{Distance|3.2 miles}} round trip |
| − | + | * High Point: 2788 feet | |
| − | * Elevation gain | + | {{Elevation gain|2080 feet}} |
| − | + | {{Difficulty|Moderate}} | |
* Seasons: spring, summer, fall, possible in the winter | * Seasons: spring, summer, fall, possible in the winter | ||
| − | * Family Friendly: | + | * Family Friendly: No |
* Backpackable: No | * Backpackable: No | ||
* Crowded: Busy during summer and weekends, especially the first part to Burnt Lake | * Crowded: Busy during summer and weekends, especially the first part to Burnt Lake | ||
| − | == Hike Description == | + | === Hike Description === |
| − | + | [[Elk Mountain]] and [[Kings Mountain]] are two popular hiking destinations in the Oregon Coast range. The trails are a little more rugged than typical [[Columbia River 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, the [[Elk Mountain Trailhead]] and [[Kings Mountain Trailhead]], off highway 6 between Portland and Tillamook. | |
| − | + | There are four hikes mentioned here - Elk Mountain Hike, [[Kings Mountain Hike]], [[Elk Mountain-Kings 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. | |
| − | + | For the Elk Mountain hike, 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 0.2 mile, there's the [[Wilson River-Elk Mountain Trail 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. 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 knolls. 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. 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-Kings Mountain Loop Hike]]. | |
| − | [[ | + | |
| − | == Fees, Regulations, etc. == | + | === Fees, Regulations, etc. === |
| − | + | * none | |
| − | == | + | === Maps === |
| − | * [http:// | + | * Click on area map below to enlarge |
| − | * [http:// | + | * Also see: [http://mazamas.org/pdf/maps/Elk-Kings.pdf Elk-Kings area map by Mazamas] (PDF) |
| − | ( | + | * [http://www.oregon.gov/odf/tillamookstateforest/docs/nonmoto_trailguides/kings_mtn_elk_mtn_trail_v2009.pdf Kings Mountain, Elk Mountain & Elk Creek Trails (Oregon Department of Forestry)] |
| − | + | {{TripReports|Elk Mountain}} | |
| − | + | * [http://www.portlandhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=9319 Elk Mountain - Elk Creek Loop 08-31-11] | |
| + | * [http://www.portlandhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=7624 Elk Mountain via Elk Creek] | ||
| + | {{RelatedDiscussions|Elk Mountain}} | ||
| − | == Guidebooks that cover this hike == | + | === Guidebooks that cover this hike === |
| − | * '' | + | * ''60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Portland'', by Paul Gerald |
| + | * ''100 Hikes/Travel Guide: Oregon Coast & Coast Range'' by William L. Sullivan | ||
| + | * ''Afoot & Afield: Portland/Vancouver'' by Douglas Lorain | ||
| + | * ''75 Scrambles in Oregon'' by Barbara I. Bond | ||
| + | * ''75 Hikes in Oregon's Coast Range and Siskiyous'' by Rhonda & George Ostertag | ||
| + | * ''Best Hikes Near Portland'' by Fred Barstad | ||
| + | * ''Take a Hike: Portland'' by Barbara I. Bond | ||
| + | * ''50 Hikes in the Tillamook State Forest'' by the Tillamook State Forest Committee, Columbia Group Sierra Club | ||
| + | * ''50 Hiking Trails: Portland and Northwest Oregon'' by Don and Roberta Lowe | ||
| + | * ''Oregon Hiking'' by Sean Patrick Hill | ||
| − | == More Links == | + | === More Links === |
* See more information at [http://www.somewebsite.com Describe the link here] | * See more information at [http://www.somewebsite.com Describe the link here] | ||
| − | == Contributors == | + | === Contributors === |
* [[User:retiredjerry]] (creator) | * [[User:retiredjerry]] (creator) | ||
Revision as of 22:01, 29 December 2017
File:Elkmountaintrail.JPG
Typical section of trail to Elk Mountain (Jerry Adams)
- Start point: Elk Creek Trailhead
- End point: Elk Mountain
- Trail log: Trail Log
- Distance: 3.2 miles round trip
- High Point: 2788 feet
- Elevation gain: 2080 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: spring, summer, fall, possible in the winter
- Family Friendly: No
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Busy during summer and weekends, especially the first part to Burnt Lake
Contents |
Hike Description
Elk Mountain and Kings Mountain are two popular hiking destinations in the Oregon Coast range. The trails are a little more rugged than typical Columbia River 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, the Elk Mountain Trailhead and Kings Mountain Trailhead, off highway 6 between Portland and Tillamook.
There are four hikes mentioned here - Elk Mountain Hike, Kings Mountain Hike, Elk Mountain-Kings 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.
For the Elk Mountain hike, 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 0.2 mile, there's the Wilson River-Elk Mountain Trail 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. 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 knolls. 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. 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-Kings Mountain Loop Hike.
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- none
Maps
- Click on area map below to enlarge
- Also see: Elk-Kings area map by Mazamas (PDF)
- Kings Mountain, Elk Mountain & Elk Creek Trails (Oregon Department of Forestry)
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Elk Mountain
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Elk Mountain
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Portland, by Paul Gerald
- 100 Hikes/Travel Guide: Oregon Coast & Coast Range by William L. Sullivan
- Afoot & Afield: Portland/Vancouver by Douglas Lorain
- 75 Scrambles in Oregon by Barbara I. Bond
- 75 Hikes in Oregon's Coast Range and Siskiyous by Rhonda & George Ostertag
- Best Hikes Near Portland by Fred Barstad
- Take a Hike: Portland by Barbara I. Bond
- 50 Hikes in the Tillamook State Forest by the Tillamook State Forest Committee, Columbia Group Sierra Club
- 50 Hiking Trails: Portland and Northwest Oregon by Don and Roberta Lowe
- Oregon Hiking by Sean Patrick Hill
More Links
- See more information at Describe the link here
Contributors
- User:retiredjerry (creator)