Hiking in Easter Oregon Wilderness Requires Some Finesse — June 10 (by Sandy)

Our second full day in Eastern Oregon has us going on a hike in the Elkhorn Mountains, along the Elkhorn Scenic Byway just outside of Baker City. We thought we did a reasonable amount of research to be prepared. We read guidebooks describing the hike, finding the trail distance acceptable, the drive time acceptable, and the possible lake/mountain views exciting. We got advice from an Oregonian hiker (our daughter Stacey), including details from her book of 100 best hikes. Ok, let’s go. 

Things were going well. We ran into no other cars on the drive, perfect!  We had the windows down enjoying the pine scent from the trees in this forest. About an hour into the drive of winding forest roads around the mountains, sometimes taking us down to 20mph on the curves, we start to encounter fallen rocks and tree debris in the road. No problem, easy to get around. It was a tough winter. Then at the higher elevation, some snow on the road. No problem, one lane is still free of snow. Then, more snow and more until the entire road has several inches of snow on it. Sandy driving, Bill says we better turn around. Sandy is thinking I’m from Ohio, a little mountain snow is fine, but then realizes we are out of cell phone range, no one will know where we are and that if we get stuck or slide off the side of the mountain, it would take forever to get a tow truck up here if we were ever found. 

So, back down the mountain we go. We had passed some trails en route, let’s stop at one. The first trailhead we found was a short one mile along a fast stream, full of snow melt and looked decent. We got 2/3 in and turned around, after a few too many trees across the trail to scramble over and what looked like more snow ahead. Then we tried a trail for offroad vehicles near the mountain base and were more successful on hiking but we had no idea of trail distance or route, just hoping we don’t get lost in the woods. 

Here is the wisdom we gained and the finesse we didn’t quite have at the outset:

1.  Know where you are going. Have pdf or hard copies of EVERY trail in the area in case plans change if you’re not in cell range. 

2.  Read EVERYTHING on the maps you’re looking at. Once we turned around, Sandy looked at the map for more trails to salvage the day and only then saw the little note in the corner that said to ‘call the forest service for road conditions to Anthony Lake (our original destination) through June as the road is not maintained in the winter’.  Then, follow the advice and make the call. 

3.  Read, REALLY READ the road signs. Here is one we saw on the way out that we did see on the way in but not being a local, and being from Ohio, did not realize the importance. Apparently the winter season lasts through June in Eastern Oregon. Maybe this is why we didn’t see other cars on our drive in. Everyone else knew the road wouldn’t go through. 

Up until now in our travels, we have been in flatlands or hiked mainly in national parks, where trails have been pristine, or non-wilderness areas. We’re learning to respect the mountains and the wilderness. And do more planning!