Elk Lake Creek Trail Northern Trailhead
From Portland Hikers Field Guide
- Latitude: 44.89300
- Longitude: -122.00741
- Maps: Portland Hikers Maps Google Earth
- Elevation: 2400 feet
- Driving time from Portland: 2.5 hours
Contents |
Hikes starting here
- Elk Lake Creek Hike (TH | <-- --> | LOG)
- Battle Creek Shelter Hike (TH | <-- --> | LOG)
- Elk Lake Hike (TH | <-- --> | LOG)
- Welcome Lakes Hike (TH | <-- --> | LOG)
Fees and Regulations
- Northwest Forest Pass NOT required.
- Be sure to sign the wilderness register just past the trailhead.
Driving Directions
Drive Hwy. 224 past Estacada to Ripplebrook, where 224 turns into FR 46. Continue on FR 46 3.5 miles to the junction with FR 63, which may or may not be marked. Turn right on FR 63 and follow it 13 miles until the pavement ends for good, ignoring signs for Bagby Hot Springs. Along the line, the pavement comes in and out, sometimes dropping out abruptly only to come back some 50 feet later. Keep right at all major intersections along the way, and continue down on FR 6380 until you cross the Collowash River some 15 miles from the junction with FR 46. Turn left here on a rocky, narrow dirt road 3/4 of a mile until you reach the trailhead in a large parking lot.
Other Notes
The roads are good until you cross the Collowash River. However, the pavement does occasionally drop out to gravel on FR63. Be prepared to slow down, speed up and slow down again.