Elk Lake Creek Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Elk Lake Creek Trailhead
- End point: Elk Lake Creek-Welcome Lakes Trail Junction
- Trail log: Trail Log
- Hike type: Out-and-back
- Distance: 4.4 miles
- Elevation gain: 400 feet
- High point: 2,720 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: Summer to mid-fall
- Family Friendly: No
- Backpackable: Yes
- Crowded: No
Contents |
Hike Description
NOTICE: Trails in this area have been affected by the 2021 Bull Complex Fire. Expect some challenging trail conditions.
Isolated and wild, the Elk Lake Creek Trail is a treat for anyone searching for solitude. Though the southern end of the trail from Elk Lake sees occasional foot traffic coming down to the Battle Creek Junction, the northern end of the 8.9 mile through trail is seldom visited. Seekers of solitude are rewarded with sublime old-growth forest, June rhododendrons, and waterfalls on deep green Elk Lake Creek. Furthermore, the trail is very backpackable, with many pleasant campsites along the trail. This hike covers the first 2.2 miles of the trail up to the junction with the Welcome Lakes Trail; these 2.2 miles are very beautiful and are hikable often until the end of November.
Such solitude, however, comes at a price: a long drive to the trailhead on lonely forest roads. Allow up to two hours for the drive to the trailhead from the Portland area. The trail begins in a reforested area but slowly climbs into a deep forest which has experienced a fairly recent wild fire. Soon deep green Elk Lake Creek can be seen in the gorge below, and soon after that waterfalls can be heard. Continue past the waterfall overlook a bit to a spur trail which leads down to the falls. Be careful here, as the spur trail can be steep, particularly close to the falls.
The Elk Lake Trail enters into deep woods above the glassy and amazingly clear (in summer) creek, and you'll leave the burn area. Cross Pine Cone Creek and enter the Bull of the Woods Wilderness Area at about one mile into the hike. Enter deeper into old-growth forest and marvel at how lonely the Elk Lake Trail is in comparison with nearby Opal Creek (less than 10 miles as the crow flies). At two miles in, cross first Knob Rock Creek and then Welcome Creek; amazingly, the two creeks empty into Elk Lake Creek within 100 feet of each other. Both are fords, and Welcome Creek in particular can be wide and swift. While both are easy to ford in summer and early fall, exercise caution earlier in spring or later in the fall. Look upstream a little on Welcome Creek to see two 10-15 foot waterfalls just above the trail. Continue on 0.2 of a mile to the junction with the Welcome Lakes Trail. This makes a good turnaround point for those desiring an easy hike, as the Welcome Lakes Trail gains 1600 feet in 2.8 miles to Welcome Lakes, while the Elk Lake Trail soon fords 40-foot wide Elk Lake Creek, not always an easy task.
Return the way you came.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Elk Lake Creek Trail #559 (USFS)
- 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.
- Self-issued wilderness permit. All wilderness area restrictions apply.
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Elk Lake Creek
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Elk Lake Creek
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
- Oregon's Wilderness Areas by George Wuerthner
- Oregon's Best Wildflower Hikes: Northwest Region by George Wuerthner
- 62 Hiking Trails: Northern Oregon Cascades by Don & Roberta Lowe
- 70 Hiking Trails: Northern Oregon Cascades by Don & Roberta Lowe
More Links
- Elk Lake Creek Trail #559 (USFS)
- Elk Lake Creek Trail 559 (Trail Advocates)
- Elk Lake Creek – Bull of the Woods Wilderness (wanderingyuncks)
- Elk Lake Creek: North Trailhead to Battle Creek (Outdoor Project)
- "Explore the emerald pools Oregon's Elk Lake Creek via ‘wilderness snorkeling’" (Statesman Journal)
Contributors
- Mattisnotfrench (creator)