Difference between revisions of "Elk Creek Hike"
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[[Image:Elkcreek.JPG|thumb|400px|Washout from November 2006 of the Elk Creek Trail ''(Jerry Adams)'']] | [[Image:Elkcreek.JPG|thumb|400px|Washout from November 2006 of the Elk Creek Trail ''(Jerry Adams)'']] | ||
[[Image:elkturn.JPG|thumb|250px|Turn after 4 miles on Elk Creek Trail ''(Jerry Adams)'']] | [[Image:elkturn.JPG|thumb|250px|Turn after 4 miles on Elk Creek Trail ''(Jerry Adams)'']] | ||
| − | [[Image:elk3jct.JPG|thumb|250px|3 way junction between Elk Creek Hike, and the trails to Elk Mountain and | + | [[Image:elk3jct.JPG|thumb|250px|3 way junction between Elk Creek Hike, and the trails to Elk Mountain and Kings Mountain ''(Jerry Adams)'']] |
| − | [[Image:elkkingsmap.jpg|thumb|400px|Map of Elk Mountain/ | + | [[Image:elkkingsmap.jpg|thumb|400px|Map of Elk Mountain/Kings Mountain area]] |
{{Start point|Elk Creek Trailhead}} | {{Start point|Elk Creek Trailhead}} | ||
| − | * End point: [[Elk Mountain- | + | * End point: [[Elk Mountain-Kings Mountain Trail Junction]] |
* Trail log: [[Elk Creek Hike/Log|Log]] | * Trail log: [[Elk Creek Hike/Log|Log]] | ||
{{Distance|9.6 miles}} round trip | {{Distance|9.6 miles}} round trip | ||
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=== 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 Creek 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. | ||
The Elk Creek Trail is an easy trail, it follows an old logging road. There's a gate that prevents any vehicles. The only thing that makes the trail difficult is the length and elevation gain. The logging road and route have existed for a long time, but only recently has it been officially named the Elk Creek Trail. Most trail guides don't mention it. | The Elk Creek Trail is an easy trail, it follows an old logging road. There's a gate that prevents any vehicles. The only thing that makes the trail difficult is the length and elevation gain. The logging road and route have existed for a long time, but only recently has it been officially named the Elk Creek Trail. Most trail guides don't mention it. | ||
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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 the Elk Creek Trail which follows the road past a closed gate. There's a good sign. The other trail, the Elk Mountain/Wilson River Trail goes up. | 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 the Elk Creek Trail which follows the road past a closed gate. There's a good sign. The other trail, the Elk Mountain/Wilson River Trail goes up. | ||
| − | The first part of the trail follows Elk Creek with a gradual elevation gain. Pass the [[Elk Creek Crossing]], where the Wilson River Trail branches off | + | The first part of the trail follows Elk Creek with a gradual elevation gain. Pass the [[Elk Creek Crossing]], where the Wilson River Trail branches off on a single handrail bridge to continue the new eastern extension of that trail (See the [[Elk Creek to Idiot Creek Road Hike]]. Note that the bridge is only in place from May to October - in other months, you'll have to ford the creek.). You will reach a section where the road bed was washed out during the November 2006 floods; here, head up to the left to take a short section through the woods. After rejoining the road bed, you will notice it starts getting steeper with a few switchbacks. After 4 miles, take a left turn. The logging road you were following, continues, eventually to a road. If you followed this, there would probably be few people and some nice views. There is sign at this turn. The trail you want to follow is another logging road, but it starts steeply, so it's easy to miss. This junction is the end of the official Elk Creek Trail and the beginning of the official Elk Mountain Trail. |
| − | It's another 0.8 miles to the three-way [[Elk Mountain- | + | It's another 0.8 miles to the three-way [[Elk Mountain-Kings Mountain Trail Junction]], from which trails lead up the back sides of [[Elk Mountain]] and [[Kings Mountain]]. This is the end of this hike. Go back the way you came. If you decide to go back via the Elk Mountain Trail, beware, that trail is very difficult, especially near Elk Mountain. It would be better to go the other direction, so that if it gets too difficult it would be easier to turn around. |
| − | The trails in the Elk Mountain/ | + | The trails in the Elk Mountain/Kings Mountain area are mainly day hikes, but if you're looking for a backpack, for example in the winter when there isn't much else that's snow free, there are some flat areas to camp, at the 3 way junction or towards [[Elk Mountain]]. There is probably drinking water (in the winter) on the last 0.8 miles of the Elk Creek Hike. Beware that there are periods in the winter when there is too much snow here. |
=== Maps === | === Maps === | ||
Revision as of 12:06, 28 February 2020
- Start point: Elk Creek Trailhead
- End point: Elk Mountain-Kings Mountain Trail Junction
- Trail log: Log
- Distance: 9.6 miles round trip
- High Point: 2980 feet
- Elevation gain: 2100 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: spring, summer, fall, possible in the winter
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: Maybe
- Crowded: Yes
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 Creek 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.
The Elk Creek Trail is an easy trail, it follows an old logging road. There's a gate that prevents any vehicles. The only thing that makes the trail difficult is the length and elevation gain. The logging road and route have existed for a long time, but only recently has it been officially named the Elk Creek Trail. Most trail guides don't mention it.
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 the Elk Creek Trail which follows the road past a closed gate. There's a good sign. The other trail, the Elk Mountain/Wilson River Trail goes up.
The first part of the trail follows Elk Creek with a gradual elevation gain. Pass the Elk Creek Crossing, where the Wilson River Trail branches off on a single handrail bridge to continue the new eastern extension of that trail (See the Elk Creek to Idiot Creek Road Hike. Note that the bridge is only in place from May to October - in other months, you'll have to ford the creek.). You will reach a section where the road bed was washed out during the November 2006 floods; here, head up to the left to take a short section through the woods. After rejoining the road bed, you will notice it starts getting steeper with a few switchbacks. After 4 miles, take a left turn. The logging road you were following, continues, eventually to a road. If you followed this, there would probably be few people and some nice views. There is sign at this turn. The trail you want to follow is another logging road, but it starts steeply, so it's easy to miss. This junction is the end of the official Elk Creek Trail and the beginning of the official Elk Mountain Trail.
It's another 0.8 miles to the three-way Elk Mountain-Kings Mountain Trail Junction, from which trails lead up the back sides of Elk Mountain and Kings Mountain. This is the end of this hike. Go back the way you came. If you decide to go back via the Elk Mountain Trail, beware, that trail is very difficult, especially near Elk Mountain. It would be better to go the other direction, so that if it gets too difficult it would be easier to turn around.
The trails in the Elk Mountain/Kings Mountain area are mainly day hikes, but if you're looking for a backpack, for example in the winter when there isn't much else that's snow free, there are some flat areas to camp, at the 3 way junction or towards Elk Mountain. There is probably drinking water (in the winter) on the last 0.8 miles of the Elk Creek Hike. Beware that there are periods in the winter when there is too much snow here.
Maps
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- none
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Elk Creek
- Elk Creek Trail - hiking, trail maintenance, and a surprise!
- Elk Creek Trail/ Tillamook State Forest 9/9/12
- Elk Creek Trail in the snow 03-17-12
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Elk Creek
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Best Hikes Near Portland by Fred Barstad
- Afoot & Afield: Portland/Vancouver by Douglas Lorain
- 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
More Links
- See more information at Describe the link here
Contributors
- User:retiredjerry (creator)