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Elk Lake Hike

From Oregon Hikers Field Guide

This page is marked as a Lost Hike. The "trail" may be dangerous and hard to follow and is not recommended for beginning hikers without an experienced leader. Carry detailed maps of the whole area and/or a GPS unit and compass.
Elk Lake Creek from the trail (Matt Reeder)
The first ford of Elk Lake Creek coming from the northern trailhead (RobFromRedland)
Deep green pool on Elk Lake Creek some 3.1 miles from the trailhead (Matt Reeder)
Campsite near the site of the Battle Creek Shelter (RobFromRedland)
Elk Lake from its west end (bobcat)
The route of the Elk Lake Creek Trail to Elk Lake in the Bull of the Woods Wilderness (bobcat) Courtesy: Caltopo/USFS

Contents

Hike Description

NOTICE: Trails in this area have been affected by the 2021 Bull Complex Fire. The Elk Lake Creek Trail is CLOSED three miles from the Elk Lake Creek Trailhead. The Battle Creek Shelter Site can be reached from Elk Lake, but do not attempt this as a through hike until conditions improve (2023 Forest Service notice).

Remote and wild, the Elk Lake Trail follows Elk Lake Creek through the Bull of the Woods Wilderness Area 8.9 miles to Elk Lake. While a 17.8 mile round trip hike is too much for most hikers to cover in one day, the Elk Lake Trail is excellent for backpackers. Furthermore, the trail intersects the Welcome Lakes and Mother Lode Trails, so loops are possible and recommended. Should you choose to hike just the Elk Lake Trail, be forewarned: the trail between the Welcome Lakes Junction (2.2 miles from the trailhead) and the Battle Creek Shelter (4.9 miles) fords Elk Lake Creek twice and Battle Creek once and suffers from a lack of maintenance. Be prepared to get wet and climb over downed old-growth trees, which can be a problem for backpackers.

While there are two trailheads for the Elk Lake Trail, the northern one is the only one that will not severely test a passenger car. Since this is the recommended approach, the hike description begins from this trailhead. Alternately, those who have a high-clearance truck or SUV may start at Elk Lake.

The trail begins in a reforested area but quickly climbs to an overlook of a waterfall and deep green pool on Elk Lake Creek. From here, descend slightly into deeper forest and cross into the Bull of the Woods Wilderness Area at the crossing of Pine Cone Creek. At 2.0 miles, cross first Knob Rock Creek and then Welcome Creek. Note the two 10-15 foot waterfalls on Welcome Creek just above the trail. Shortly afterward, come to the junction with the Welcome Lakes Trail. Continue downhill (straight) and soon after, you'll be at the first ford of Elk Lake Creek. While the wide creek may appear to be only inches deep (in summer, at least), you'll soon find it is calf to knee-deep! The incredible clarity of Elk Lake Creek is truly astounding.

Continue on the far side of the creek, and climb slightly into deep old-growth forest. If you pay close attention to the trees above you, you'll notice rings that once held telegraph wires. There are quite a few along the Elk Lake Trail. Also note how this stretch of trail suffers from a large number of downed trees, many of them quite big. You'll have fun climbing over downed trees until you get tired of it and realize there are still more trees to climb over. At 3.1 miles from the trailhead, come to a low bluff overlooking an incredibly deep and clear pool on Elk Lake Creek. Often it is possible to see fish swimming 10+ feet down in the pool, and you'll marvel at the pool's emerald depths.

Not long after the deep green pool comes the second ford of Elk Lake Creek. Once again, the water is stunningly clear and far deeper than it appears. This ford is slightly deeper than the first, but in summer and early fall should be easy enough for any adult. Remember to bring trekking poles or a hiking stick; you'll appreciate having an extra point of contact or two, as the rocks in the creek are large and quite slippery.

Back on your original side of Elk Lake Creek, the trail turns slightly uphill. (Note: While the trail's total elevation gain is fairly small, there are many small ups and downs, and the constant climbing over downed trees can quickly sap your energy.) Downed trees become more and more of a problem. At about four miles into the hike, the trail becomes difficult to follow as brush has overgrown the path in several sections. Trust your instincts here and continue ahead, but not without first looking for blazes and sections of tread at your feet. The closer you get to Battle Creek, the more the trail suffers as it heads down into the bog that is the confluence of Battle Creek and Elk Lake Creek. The Elk Lake Trail is not always easy to follow here, but if you get away from the trail, STAY CLOSE TO ELK LAKE CREEK. Eventually, the trail comes to Battle Creek, which is just as wide as Elk Lake Creek and just as deep. Ford Battle Creek, negotiate the mess of downed trees on the other side, and you'll very quickly be at the site of the old Battle Creek Shelter, which collapsed under deep snow in 1988. This is an excellent spot for backpackers, as there is room for about 5-6 tents, easy creek access, two fire pits, and often plenty of available wood. The former shelter site also marks the junction of the Elk Lake Trail with the Mother Lode Trail, which climbs up out of the Battle Creek canyon to the Bull of the Woods Lookout.

The Battle Creek Shelter Site makes an excellent stopping point for lunch, but backpackers are advised to continue on to Elk Lake if you still have the energy. Follow the trail as it leaves Elk Lake Creek and turns uphill. While never steep, the trail climbs gradually for much of the remaining four miles to Elk Lake. Along the way the forest deepens considerably. Just before reaching Elk Lake, enter a grove of giant old-growth conifers. Shortly afterward, the trail ends at the Elk Lake Trailhead on FR 4697 above beautiful Elk Lake. Elk Lake is a beautiful spot: a large, deep lake high in the woods north of Detroit flanked by 5,558 foot Battle Ax. There is a primitive campground on the far end of the lake. Backpackers wishing to continue to different destinations have options: return the way you came, follow the road to Elk Lake before turning north on the Bagby Trail, or follow FR 4697 up to Beachie Saddle and drop down to Jawbone Flats on closed FR 2209. All of these make for excellent backpacking trips. Alternately, if you have friends with high-clearance vehicles, you can arrange a shuttle to meet you at Elk Lake or one of the other destinations.


Maps

  • Maps: Hike Finder
  • Green Trails Maps: Battle Ax, OR #524
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness, Bull of the Woods Wilderness, Opal Creek Wilderness, Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area
  • Geo-Graphics: Bull of the Woods and Opal Creek Wilderness Map
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Clackamas River Ranger District
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Mt. Hood National Forest
  • Adventure Maps: Mount Jefferson, Bull of the Woods & Opal Creek Wilderness Trail Map

Regulations or Restrictions, etc.

  • The hike is within the Bull of the Woods Wilderness Area. All wilderness area restrictions apply.

Trip Reports

Related Discussions / Q&A

Guidebooks that cover this hike

  • Off the Beaten Trail by Matt Reeder
  • 101 Hikes in the Majestic Mount Jefferson Region by Matt Reeder
  • 105 Virtual Hikes of the Mt. Hood National Forest by Northwest Hiker
  • Best Old-growth Forest Hikes: Washington & Oregon Cascades by John & Diane Cissel
  • A Walking Guide to Oregon's Ancient Forests by Wendell Wood
  • 62 Hiking Trails: Northern Oregon Cascades by Don & Roberta Lowe
  • 70 Hiking Trails: Northern Oregon Cascades by Don & Roberta Lowe
  • A Hiker's Guide to Oregon's Hidden Wilderness (Central Cascades Conservation Council)

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.