Oregon Map

Request Free Visitor Guides

Baldy Creek Trail - No. 1603

Contact Info
Wallowa-Whitman National Forest
3285 11th St.
PO Box 947
Baker City, OR 97814

Phone:
541-523-4476
Basics
Length:
6.5 miles
Difficulty:
Difficult
Time:
5 - 6 hours
Trailhead Elevation:
5200 feet
Elevation Range:
5200 feet to 7121 feet
Elevation Change:
1921 feet
Usage:
Moderate
Season:
Summer to Fall

Description

Baldy Creek Trail lies almost entirely within the North Fork John Day Wilderness, providing access to the remote Baldy Creek drainage country, Baldy Lake, and the open ridges above the Cable Cove area. The trail follows and crosses Baldy Creek many times. It passes spruce, fir, and lodgepole pine forest; grassy openings: and some boggy areas. The old Cal-Pacific power line corridor, installed in the early 1900's is still visible, intersecting the trail about 5 miles from the lower trailhead.

Baldy Lake sits in a serene subalpine basin under Mt. Ireland. The fire lookout on top of the peak can be seen from the lake's north shore. One-quarter mile before Baldy Lake, a trail forks off across the head of the east fork of Baldy Creek up to the end of Forest Road 5540-920 just below Crown Point. For a sweeping view of the historic Cable Cove mining area, take a short walk up the old road which has no public vehicle access.

Parking at the lower trailhead requires a Northwest Forest Pass.

From Forest Road 73 to Baldy Lake the trail is fairly easy with only a few short climbs, but the remaining portion on up to Crown Point is steep and difficult. Wilderness is closed to all motorized and mechanized travel.

Details

Length:
6.5 miles
Difficulty:
Difficult
Time:
5 - 6 hours
Trailhead Elevation:
5200
Elevation Range:
5200 feet to 7121
Elevation Change:
1921
Usage:
Moderate
Season:
Summer to Fall

Map + Directions

Basic Directions

From Baker City, Oregon, take U.S. Highway 30 to Haines, turn west on County Road 1146, follow the Elkhorn Drive Scenic Byway signs to Anthony Lakes (32 miles). Continue on this highway (Forest Road 73) to the trailhead, located at approximately 46 miles from Baker City. The upper end of the trail is reached by following State Hwy 7, south of Baker city, to Sumpter turn-off. From Sumpter, follow Forest Road 73 (Elkhorn Scenic Byway), for about 23 miles to Forest Road 7345.  Follow 7345 for six miles to the trailhead.  Road 7345 is recommended for 4-wheel drive vehicles only.


Copyright © 1997 - 2024 The Go Travel Sites. All Rights Reserved and.

Email Page Link

Complete the form below to email this page to a friend or family member's email. You can send yourself an email as well. Your email and your recipient's email will NOT be shared with anyone. See our full Privacy Policy for details.
:
:
:
 
 
 
:
Copy Yourself on the Email Yes No
:
:

1

Select one or more Free Visitor Guides below

2

Complete the form to receive your guides by mail
Oregon's Mt Hood Territory Oregon's Mt Hood Territory Oregon's Mt Hood Territory
Northern OregonFrom majestic Mount Hood to the green and sprawling Willamette Valley, Oregon's Mount Hood Territory is a place to be explored. Enjoy conquering historic hiking trails or take on Mount Hood on skis for an experience not soon to be forgotten.
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Albany Visitors Association Albany Visitors Association Albany Visitors Association
Central OregonPlan Your Visit Explore on foot, by bicycle, boat, or car. Albany is the perfect place to enjoy the outdoors.
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.
Frontier Oregon Frontier Oregon Frontier Oregon
Eastern OregonOut here wide-open skies, sagebrush plains and craggy mountain ranges lay claim to the landscape. What you make of this region’s vast outdoor playground is entirely up to you. For a dose of history there are wagon ruts from the Oregon Trail, vibrant prehistoric fossil beds and eerie ghost towns.
Request this Free Visitor GuideRequested! You're all set! Request a few more Visitor Guides, or complete the form below to receive your guides by mail.