Elkhorn Crest Trail

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drm
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Elkhorn Crest Trail

Post by drm » August 6th, 2022, 10:43 am

I hiked the northern section of the Elkhorn Crest Trail out of Anthony Lake to Summit Lake and back. Bugs were minimal to non-existent.

Anthony Lake from the day use area.
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Here I go. Two other cars at the trailhead on Wednesday morning, about a dozen when I came out on Friday.
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The first two miles go through lush forest, gaining 1000 feet to Angell Pass on this granite trail that reminds me of the Sierra.
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Approaching Angell Pass, ~8200'.
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Dutch Flat Lake.
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Looking back - Angell Pass is the notch on the right.
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Nip and Tuck Pass.
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Contouring across Mt. Ruth.
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There are a number of slides across the trail on Mt. Ruth - places where sand covers the trail and you would not want to slide down.
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The Forest Service has added signage to the confusing junctions near Summit Lake - except for this one last junction. Left is to Summit Lake and right is the continuation of the Elkhorn Crest Trail. Maybe there used to be a sign sticking out of that pile of rocks.
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The 1.5 mile spur trail to Summit Lake is itself a great trail.
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Finally - Summit Lake! The trail forks soon after this: left heads to 3 camps near the outlet and right heads to 2 camps below the peak. Maybe there are more camps on the other side. There was one other group camped there on that Wednesday night.
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I chose to camp on the mountain side - the view from near my camp. A minor thunderstorm came through at 4pm, with a little hail. And after midnight the wind howled, meaning I got little sleep. My tent has one of those lofts that hang from the top inside - everything was blown out of it as the tent shook.
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My camp was on that little peninsula right in the middle.
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My zipper tore by down bag lining in the evening and I didn't think much if it - patch it when I get home. Then when it got light, I saw this. Patched with medical tape, the bag now has a cold spot.
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I had planned to continue to Twin Lakes, but the wind, the t-storms, the lack of sleep, the long dry trail (you have to carry your entire day's water from camp), all sapped my motivation and I headed back. This was my lunch spot near the Lost Lake junction.
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Rather than go back to my car and drive home (I had carried 4 day's food after all), I camped that night at Black Lake. 1 mile from the trailhead and I had it to myself.
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Sunset at Black Lake.
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teachpdx
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Location: Hillsboro, OR

Re: Elkhorn Crest Trail

Post by teachpdx » August 7th, 2022, 4:09 pm

Summit Lake from Anthony Lakes is a great outing for this time of year. I was there in 2020 and did the same route in, but kept a bit east of the crest on the way back, passing Lost Lake and rejoining at Nip/Tuck.

There was one other very large campsite at the southeast corner of the lake, as well. During our stay it was occupied by a family that drove up the road along Cracker Creek and spent two days shooting and chopping wood, not the best backcountry neighbors.
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Don Nelsen
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Re: Elkhorn Crest Trail

Post by Don Nelsen » August 7th, 2022, 4:14 pm

Nice photos! Thanks for TR. I need to get over there and check it out. I've driven through the area on I-84 probably 50 times over the years and never taken the time off to hike those mountains.

dn
"Everything works in the planning stage" - Kelly

"If you don't do it this year, you will be one year older when you do" - Warren Miller

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bobcat
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Location: SW Portland

Re: Elkhorn Crest Trail

Post by bobcat » August 8th, 2022, 12:46 pm

Lovely. Thanks for the report. I would have been there same time as you, but I have my lower left leg stitched up and have to wait a while before getting out on the trail again.

Aimless
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Re: Elkhorn Crest Trail

Post by Aimless » August 8th, 2022, 1:06 pm

My camp was on that little peninsula right in the middle.

I know it well and have stayed there twice. Did you find the tiny, but clear and cold-running, spring a few feet north along the shoreline? It was better water than what I could pull from the lake.

Did goats come into your camp? They very much wanted to when I was there two years back, but I discouraged them. Too bad about the rip in your down bag. :(

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drm
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Re: Elkhorn Crest Trail

Post by drm » August 8th, 2022, 6:03 pm

Aimless wrote:
August 8th, 2022, 1:06 pm
My camp was on that little peninsula right in the middle.

I know it well and have stayed there twice. Did you find the tiny, but clear and cold-running, spring a few feet north along the shoreline? It was better water than what I could pull from the lake.
It wasn't clear and cold running this trip. I had to cross it to get to camp and it was pretty much a mud puddle. The lake was clear and pretty good, as far as lakes go. It wasn't that cold though.
Aimless wrote:
August 8th, 2022, 1:06 pm
Did goats come into your camp? They very much wanted to when I was there two years back, but I discouraged them. Too bad about the rip in your down bag. :(
I didn't see them and didn't really look. I had heard that there were a bunch at Twin Lakes, not Summit Lake. But the other party camped on the other end of the lake had long lenses and binocs and said they saw a couple way way above me.

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