Elk Lake Trailhead
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
- Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
- Latitude, Longitude: 44.82547, -122.11530
- Elevation: 3720 feet
- Driving time from Portland: 145 minutes
Contents |
Hikes starting here
- Elk Lake Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Battle Creek from Elk Lake Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
Fees and Regulations
- Self-issued wilderness permit required.
Driving Directions
NOTE: This is the Elk Lake Trailhead east of Detroit in the Willamette National Forest, not the Elk Lake Trailhead (Deschutes National Forest) on the Cascades Lakes Highway.
Drive I-5 south through Salem and take Exit 253 for Highway 22, Detroit Lake, and Bend. After making the exit, turn left onto Highway 22.
Drive 49.4 miles to Detroit and turn left onto FR 46 for Breitenbush, Elk Lake, and Olallie Lake.
Drive 4.4 miles and make a left onto paved FR 4696.
Go 0.8 miles and turn left onto gravel FR 4697, signposted HIGH CLEARANCE ONLY. Good durable tires are strongly recommended from this point forward
Wind up for 4.7 miles on this rough rocky road to a Y-junction and turn left.
Drive another 1.6 miles to the easy-to-miss trailhead on your right. Elk Lake lies below. There is parking for two cars by the side of the road here; make sure to leave room for other vehicles to pass. There are trail signs a few yards up the trail.
Other Notes
FR 4697 is a very rough road. Low clearance cars might make it if you drive very slowly and carefully, but high clearance and good tires are strongly recommend. All vehicles should travel very slowly and with caution.
Contributors
- Stevefromdodge (creator)