Explore the Blue mountains trail
Are you ready to explore the landscapes of Northeast Oregon, but can't manage a month-long thru hike on the Blue Mountains Trail? Plan your perfect outing with these day hikes and shorter backpacking trips that connect to the Blue Mountains Trail. The trips in this collection, compiled by Greater Hells Canyon Council, are recommended by visitors and residents of the Blue Mountains.
TRIPS FROM Joseph and Enterprise
On the northern end of Wallowa Lake, 6 miles from the Wallowa Lake Trailhead, Joseph, Oregon is a small but vibrant community with a lot to offer visitors and residents alike. As the northern terminus for the Blue Mountains Trail, it is a full-service town with a small grocery, laundromat, restaurants, and lodging. It is compact and all hiker services are easily walkable. It also has a vibrant arts community. The still small but larger community of Enterprise, Oregon is another 6 miles northwest of Joseph along Highway 82. Here you'll find more places to eat, sleep and get the gear and goods you need to make the most of your time in the mountains.
Getting there from the trail: The Wallowa Lake Trailhead, the northern terminus of the Blue Mountains Trail, is approximately 7 miles from Joseph via OR-351.
Trip No.
Name
Distance
Season
Trip Type
Tags
Difficulty
Physical: Moderate
Logistical: Easy
23.4 miles
Summer
Multi-day backpack
Riparian
Forest
Meadow
Lake
Alpine
Physical: Difficult
Logistical: Easy
1
2
N/A
Mid Spring
to Late Fall
Vehicle/ADA
Physical: Easy
Logistical: Easy
Cultural history
Viewpoint
3
TRIPS FROM Troy
Troy, Oregon is a very small unincorporated community located at the confluence of the Grande Ronde and Wenaha Rivers. Troy has few services with limited hours. We recommend that thru-hikers mail resupply boxes to the Troy Lodge.
Getting there from the trail: The Blue Mountains Trail connects directly to Troy, connecting trail sections 1 and 2.
Trip No.
Name
Distance
Season
Trip Type
Tags
Difficulty
Wildlife Viewing
4
TRIPS FROM Tollgate
Tollgate, Oregon is a very small unincorporated community on Oregon Highway 204 mostly comprised of vacation homes and seasonal residents. Services are limited in Tollgate. Thru-hikers can contact the Alpine Restaurant and Store to send a resupply box.
Getting there from the trail: Services in Tollgate are 1.2 miles west from the Blue Mountains Trail on Highway 204.
Trip No.
Name
Distance
Season
Trip Type
Tags
Difficulty
39.7 miles
Summer/
Early Fall
Multi-day backpack
Physical: Difficult
Logistical: Moderate
Riparian
Forest
Lake
Notable geology
5
TRIPS FROM La Grande
La Grande, Oregon marks what we consider the midway point of the Blue Mountains Trail. It is a full-service city with an excellent outfitter, numerous restaurants and lodging options, and nearly any other service for hikers. La Grande is a great place for long-distance hikers to take a “zero” (day off), and visitors to La Grande have a few great options to link up with the Blue Mountains Trail for a day hike or a longer trip.
Getting there from the trail: The Blue Mountains Trail passes through the center of La Grande.
Trip No.
Name
Distance
Season
Trip Type
Tags
Difficulty
Coming soon...
TRIPS FROM Anthony Lakes and Baker City
Anthony Lakes is a ski and outdoor recreation area approximately 22 miles from Baker City with a resort and several campgrounds. Services are limited. There is no market to purchase resupply goods. The Anthony Lakes Mountain Resort may be able to accept a resupply box, with prior arrangement, but most hikers will be able to make it to Sumpter without needing to pick up additional food at Anthony Lakes.
Baker City, Oregon is a full-service city that is not on the trail but can serve as a starting/ending point for section hikes on the Elkhorn Crest. It can also be reached via transit or the Elkhorn Taxi from Sumpter. Visitors to Baker City can take a short drive or shuttle service to the Elkhorn Crest trailheads and Anthony Lakes, both on the Blue Mountains Trail.
Getting there from the trail: The Blue Mountains Trail goes right through Anthony Lakes. Baker City is 29 miles from Sumpter, 35 miles from Anthony Lakes, and 45 miles from La Grande.
Trip No.
Name
Distance
Season
Trip Type
Tags
Difficulty
22.5 miles
Summer
Multi-day backpack
Physical: Difficult
Logistical: Challenging
Notable ecology
Lake
Alpine
Cultural history
6
7
TRIPS FROM Sumpter
Sumpter, Oregon became a mining boomtown in the late 1890s. Its population peaked at over 2,000 in the early 1900s. Today, Sumpter’s population is under 200 and the economy relies heavily on tourism visiting its mining history and the Sumpter Dredge, now an Oregon State Park.
Sumpter has restaurants, lodging, and two small markets, but is a limited-service town. We recommend that thru-hikers consider mailing a resupply box to the post office because the markets do not provide enough food options for a full resupply.
Getting there from the trail: The Blue Mountains Trail goes right through town.
Trip No.
Name
Distance
Season
Trip Type
Tags
Difficulty
25.6 miles
Summer/
Early Fall
Multi-day backpack
Physical: Difficult
Logistical: Challenging
Riparian
Forest
Cultural history
8
TRIPS FROM Austin Junction
Austin Junction is an unincorporated community in the Malheur National Forest. The Austin House, which is a combination market, gas station, restaurant, ice cream parlor, and tavern is the only business. The Austin House will accept hiker resupply boxes; however, please call to coordinate and confirm.
Bates State Park and Campground is a mile away and can be reached by a connected forest service road.
Getting there from the trail: The Blue Mountains Trail goes right through town.
Trip No.
Name
Distance
Season
Trip Type
Tags
Difficulty
9
19 miles
one-way
Early Fall
1-2 days hike/vehicle/backpack
Physical: Moderate
Logistical: Moderate
Forest
Notable ecology
TRIPS FROM John Day and Prairie City
John Day, Oregon is the southern terminus of the Blue Mountains Trail. It is a full-service town with a wide variety of restaurants and lodging options.The town is just north of the Strawberry Mountain Wilderness, at the intersection of Highways 26 and 395. While thru-hikers start or end their journey from John Day, visitors have a few options for day hikes and longer trips from nearby trailheads that link up with the Blue Mountains Trail. The town has many other amenities and attractions to visit as well.
Prairie City, 13 miles east of John Day on Highway 26, is a small community with a market, restaurants, and a gas station. It is the nearest town to the Strawberry Mountain campground, a popular campground and trailhead for visitors to Strawberry Lake and Strawberry Mountain Wilderness.
Getting there from the trail: The southern terminus of the Blue Mountains Trail is in downtown John Day. Prairie City is 13 miles from John Day and an 11.6 mile drive from Strawberry Campground.
Trip No.
Name
Distance
Season
Trip Type
Tags
Difficulty
18 miles
Summer
Multi-day
backpack
Physical: Difficult
Logistical: Easy w/ 4wd
Lake
Alpine
Notable ecology
10