Hike on the BMT:
Elkhorn crest Trail
elkhorn Crest Trail - 2-3 days
Departing from the Marble Pass Trailhead, near Baker City, Oregon, or from Anthony Lakes Campground at Anthony Lakes, Oregon, the Elkhorn Crest Trail runs for over 22 miles along the spine of the Elkhorn Mountains. Mountain goats are abundant along the range. The best camping and water resupply spots along the way are at the various alpine lakes that are 1 to 2 miles from the main trail. The road to Marble Pass is rough and rugged, but a few private operators offer a much-appreciated shuttle to the trailhead.
the stats:
Recreation type: 2 day backpack
Route type: One way with shuttle, or out-and-back
Mileage: 22.5 miles one way, plus added distance to camping at Twin Lakes and Summit Lake
Duration: 2+ days
Elevation gain/loss (gross): 3,816 feet
Active time hiking (estimated): 14 hours one way
Time of year: July to October
Physical difficulty: Difficult
Logistical difficulty: Challenging, 4WD vehicle recommended to Marble Pass TH, and 2 vehicles may be needed for a shuttle
Permits required: Free, self-issued Wilderness permit at the trailhead. Group size limited to 12 people. All other wilderness restrictions apply.
Planning links:
Trailhead access points: Marble Pass TH - USFS link - Google Maps link — Elkhorn Crest TH - USFS link - Google Maps link
Nearby town guide: Anthony Lakes and Baker City
Local US Forest Service Office: Wallowa Whitman National Forest, Whitman Ranger District (Baker City), 541-523-6391
Trail conditions: Elkhorn Crest National Scenic Trail #1611
Weather forecast at Twin Lakes: National Weather Service
Trip description:
The Elkhorn Crest National Recreation Trail runs from Anthony Lakes to Marble Pass along the crest of the Elkhorn Mountain Range. Parts of the trail are in the North Fork John Day Wilderness, while other parts that are not designated wilderness are popular with mountain bikers. Day hikers are usually found closest to Anthony Lakes or hiking from Marble Pass to Twin Lakes.
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If you plan to do this as a one-way hike, you will need to have two vehicles to set up the shuttle, or you can find a private operator to meet you at the trailhead at Anthony Lakes and drive you Marble Pass. The driving time between trailheads takes about 1 hour. If you have one vehicle, you can hike it as a 4 day out-and-back or simply shorten your trip.
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At approximately one mile past the junction to Twin Lakes, you can scramble up the west face or Rock Creek Butte to reach the high point of the Elkhorns at 9,106 feet and sign the summit register kept on the rock cairn. Mountain goats were reintroduced into the Elkhorns, and this population continues to thrive. Please keep your distance. You will also want to prepare to hike long distances between water resupplies. The best place to fill water along the trail is at one of the alpine lakes, but these generally require a 1 mile hike from the main trail. There is one reliable spring on the main trail near the junction with the trail to Summit Lake; it is marked on the hiking map.
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The North Fork John Day Wilderness was designated and protected in by the U.S Congress in 1984, and it encompasses over 120,000 acres. The North Fork John Day River is the coldest of the tributaries to the mainsteam John Day. The Elkhorn Crest Trail is gaining popularity and seeing increased visitation. You can join us in reporting recreation impacts or areas that need additional maintenance using the Recreation Impacts Monitoring System (RIMS) app (contact us for details and to sign up or download the app and get started). This area is also still recovering from past mining impacts, and it supports abundant wildlife; when hiking here, please follow Leave No Trace principles.
maps and elevation profile:
Download:
Full guide with hiking map (5 pages, 6.2 mb)
Map only (3 pages, 4.2 mb)
GPX map (107 kb)
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Before and After in Baker CitY
While Baker City is not directly on the Blue Mountains Trail, it is a full-service city that can serve as a start and end point for a section hike on the Elkhorn Crest. It can also be reached via transit or the Elkhorn Taxi from Sumpter. It is one of the larger towns in Northeast Oregon, with many great restaurants, lodging options, and other amenities.
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On Friday mornings at 8am, The Trailhead in Baker City runs a shuttle from Anthony Lakes to the Marble Pass Trailhead. You can reserve a spot by contacting the shop. A web search can also turn up additional individuals who offer a private shuttle service.
When visiting Baker City, we recommend stopping for a bite and a beer at Barley Brown's Brew Pub, picking up treats from Sweet Wife Baking, and staying at the historic Geyser Grand Hotel on Main Street. Hiking provisions and gear can be picked up at the Trailhead or ACE Hardware. Baker City Coop or any one of the other large grocery stores is a good option for supplies in town. During Weekends in the summer, Anthony Lakes opens the Starbottle Saloon where you can get pub fare at the base of the ski resort.
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For a full list of amenities, including markets, accommodations, post offices, public transit options, and more places to eat and stay, check out the Blue Mountains Trail Town Guides for Baker City.