Miller Lake, Kelsay Valley Horse Camp, and Cowhorn Mt., Oregon

In 2013 I visited this camp with a friend and we rode for four days, but I knew at some point I would have to return to do more of the trails in the area. To read the first blog click here: Kelsay Valley

Miller Lake.

I had not actually planned to go back at this exact time, but Plan A had to be postponed since I could not be away for a very long time, due to a business transaction I was right in the middle of. Plan B  also had to be scrapped at the last minute, as I was informed that I had to be somewhere where I would have cell coverage, so I wracked my brain and remembered that Kelsay Valley had plenty of coverage ( if you have Verizon) and so that became Plan C. Last time I was there was also at the end of July and I remembered that mosquito's were a problem, so I went prepared for battle with every kind of spray imaginable.

I started the trip by doing a ride at the Miller Lake Trailhead which is outside of Chemult OR. Horses are only allowed on one side of the lake, but my plan was to follow the lakeshore, then head up to the PCT and ride over to Tipsoo Meadow from there. This is basically directly east, as the crow flies, from Kelsay Valley, so this is just a shorter way to get into areas that would be a LONG ride from camp.

Some fishermen on Miller Lake.

A viewpoint on the PCT.

The trail around Miller Lake was clear, the trail up to the PCT was not, however I was able to get around the few areas of downfall. Eventually I was at the highest point of the PCT that there is, in both OR and WA, at 7560 feet, ( CA must obviously have a higher section) and then I arrived at my destination in between Howlock Mt. and Tipsoo Peak.This was an 18.5 mile out and back ride.

Tipsoo Peak.

On the PCT at Tipsoo Meadow.

OR and WA's highest point on the PCT.

Heading back along the lake shore.

I then drove the rest of the way to the camp, pulled in and found to my surprise that no one else was there, not even a camp host, although he did eventually show up on the third night.
I picked the shadiest and farthest spot I could find from the creek, to avoid the mosquito's, not that it helped much.

Kelsay Valley Horse Camp is located near Diamond Lake OR and has two loops A and B with 16 spots, although one of those is for the camp host. You can make reservations on recreation.gov. There is a day use area, four manure bins with wheelbarrows, steel corrals in most of the sites, (a few spots do not have corrals), a bathroom, garbage cans and the creek for stock water. A number of the spots have plenty of room for larger rigs. There is no potable water and it is $10.00 per night.

Kelsay Valley Horse Camp.

The North Umpqua River, the stock water source.

It cooled off nicely that night and I was glad to be camping, and not back at home where the heat was rapidly rising. I usually like to go for some walks in the evening, take some pictures and whatnot, but although I made some attempts to leave the safety of my shaded spot, the mosquito's were pretty thick, I did what started out as a walk, but ended up abruptly turned into a brisk jog.

The following day I did a nice long loop, following the Windigo Pass Trail up to the PCT, then heading south for several miles, and taking a side trail down to a four way junction. From there I took a detour up to the top of Tenas Peak, which afforded some great views, and then I went back down the Tolo Creek Trail, and back to camp, making this around an 18 mile ride.

On the Windigo Pass Trail.

A small burn area on the PCT.

On the top of Tenas Peak.

That evening I finally got some company, a few different rigs pulled in which turned out to be some ladies that are with OET, and they camped at the end of the B loop.

The next day I went over to the trail that heads up to Calamut Lake, I had done this ride the last time I was there, but we had just gone to the lake and back. This time I wanted to turn it into a 16 mile loop. We also had bypassed a side trail, that went to Linda Lake and Lake Charline, so I did that detour as well, and then continued on to Calamut. (Although Linda Lake is the name on the signs and maps of the area, the FS website says it is actually called Lake Patricia.) I hung out for awhile at Calamut just because it is such a beautiful, clear, sandy bottomed swimmable looking lake, and I had the place to myself.

On the trail to Calamut Lake.

At Linda/Patricia Lake there is a very fancy bathroom.

Lake Charline.

Calamut Lake.

I continued up the Windigo Pass Trail, this next section was not cleared, but it is such open country that it was easy to navigate around any downed logs. I saw some signs that someone on horseback had ridden the trail fairly recently, and had attached some new flagging tape along the way and so I figured it was worth a try. I would like to thank the person who flagged it, as there were a few spots where the trail came out into some small meadows and then disappeared, and so I was able to just look ahead and find the bright pink tape. This was the only trail I rode during the trip that had steep sections, most of the rest of the trails are wide, and easy, with good footing and have gradual inclines. Eventually this trail brought me back to the junction with the PCT where I had ridden the day before, so I returned to camp that way.

One of the small meadows on the Windigo Pass Trail.

The sign at the junction near the PCT.

On my last day I trailered up Windigo Pass Rd. to the PCT trailhead, and got ready to ride north up to Cowhorn Mt.
This is a very scenic stretch of trail with something new to see around every corner, starting with West Windigo Lake, Timpanogas and Indigo Lakes, and Sawtooth Mt. Once I reached Cowhorn Mt. I continued on for about another mile until I could see Crescent Lake and also over to Diamond Peak and Summit Lake. At this point I turned around and headed back making this ride about 11 miles.

Looking down onto West Windigo Lake from the PCT.

Mt. Thielsen from the PCT.

Cowhorn Mt.

Sawtooth Mt.

Crescent Lake from the PCT.

Diamond Peak and Summit Lake from the PCT.

Cowhorn Mt. on the PCT.

Well Plan C turned out pretty well. Now a brief break before the next trip!


GPS COORDINATES TO MILLER LAKE TH

GPS COORDINATES TO KELSAY VALLEY

GPS COORDINATES TO COWHORN MT. TH

The Independent Mine Loop, ( Lookout Mt.) Ochoco National Forest, Oregon

This is no doubt the most popular trail in the Ochoco's and for good reason, so much diversity, views and interesting old mines to behold.
There are two ways to get to the destination of Lookout Mt., the shorter more scenic way which I will start with, or the longer less scenic way.

On top of Lookout Mt.

To get there: From Prineville, drive 15 miles east on Hwy 26. Take a right at the sign for Walton Lake and Big Summit Prairie. Follow this road for 14 miles, stay to the right where it becomes road 42 ignoring the left turn towards Walton Lake. Watch for the sign for Independent Mine and Round Mt. There is a washed out dirt road that heads uphill, drive up it very briefly and take a left into the large parking area. This road continues on to the official trailhead for hikers and passenger cars but it is not suitable for trailers. If you really don't want to drive up the short 100 yard stretch of it, there is also a paved pullout on the side of road 42. This is also where you park to do the Round Mt. trail.

The large parking area for trailers.

Lookout Mt. TH sign at trailer parking area.

Leave the parking area following the trail towards Independent Mine, this climbs uphill for awhile until it meets a dirt road, the trail does continue across the road but it is just as easy to stay left on this road for a few minutes until you reach a large gravel circle.
From here the trail continues on the other side of the circle, and it is marked with a stick inside of a cairn.
However for a fun detour stay on the road briefly until you get to the sign for the Baneberry Nature Trail. Follow this, bypassing the actual nature trail, and you will find yourself among a collection of old buildings that was once the Independent Mine.

The trail continues across this gravel area, but it is worth a detour to the mine first.

It's getting more overgrown than it used to be, but the buildings are still accessible. It is also possible to do the short nature interpretive trail as well. There are informational plaques and benches along the way as you loop around.

On the way to Independent Mine.

One of the old buildings of the Independent Mine.

After exploring this area head back to where the trail leaves the gravel circle and continue on uphill.
After coming out into an open area, the official parking lot/trailhead for cars is off to the left. As of this writing there are no signs to point the way anymore, but there is a pole on the ground next to a trail heading that way... or if you miss that, the next junction has the pole still intact, but no sign... take a left there.
You will now be at the Mother Lode TH.
From here follow the Independent Mine Trail, which is trail 808 and is the start of the loop. There are several junctions and a lot of different trail names with a few having been changed in the last few years, but it is less complicated than it might seem. It's basically just a loop with another trail down the middle of it, which is a short cut. As you head uphill the trail goes through a lush flower filled area with several small streams meandering across the trail here and there.
Then it opens up with views of Round Mt. and also way down to Big Summit Prairie.

On the Independent Mine Trail.

Round Mt.

On the Independent Mine trail....always lots of corn lilies.

Eventually there is a junction with a trail going to the left called the Line Butte Trail. Just for fun and because I like a longer ride I often do this detour, it adds a few miles to the trip. It heads out over to what is called South Point. This trail doesn't get a lot of use, but it is cleared and eventually after passing through what was once an old fence line it more or less disappears. But there are some great views from here down onto the Paulina area and way over towards where Mud Springs Horse Camp is.

Views from South Point.

Views from South Point.

Back on the original trail you will be just a short ride away from the top of Lookout Mountain with fantastic views as far as the eye can see.

On the top of Lookout Mt.

On the top of Lookout Mt.

To continue the loop from here follow trail 808 pointing towards the snow shelter. (the trail to the left is the other way I mentioned to arrive on top of Lookout and if you go down it by mistake you will be a long way from your truck!)
Fairly soon there will be a short side trail to the right that leads to the shelter if you want to check it out, otherwise continue downhill until you reach the next junction. Take a left here if you want a more scenic, less steep route back down. The trail to the right which is 808 A is a mile shorter and does get you back to the same place, but it's not as fun and you will miss the second mine.

Views of Big Summit Prairie.

The junction, left is more scenic and less steep.

After switch backing downhill you will come to the Mother Lode Mine which is a three story building on a hill to the right. Apparently all this mining was for cinnabar which is where they get mercury from. They shut down the mines in the 50's and the buildings have been rotting away ever since.

The Mother Lode mine.

On the Lookout Mt. Trail.

Just shortly after passing the mine you will recognize, (hopefully!) that this is the trail you originally rode up on before taking the left to the parking area, so at this point just retrace your steps back to your truck.
This is a 10 mile ride if you do it without taking the detour onto the Line Butte Trail.

The other longer way to do this trail is from what was once the old Ochoco Ranger station.

To get there: From Prineville, drive 15 miles east on Hwy 26. Take a right at the sign for Walton Lake and Big Summit Prairie. Follow this road for 8 miles and the old Ochoco Ranger station will be on the left. It is just a paved parking area with a bathroom, you can park there, or at a pullout beside the road at the actual TH which is just up the road on the right.

The start of the 15 mile trail from the Ochoco Ranger station.

Ochoco Ranger Station parking area.

This is a 15 mile out and back, and other than arriving at the top of Lookout Mountain the rest of this ride is completely different. At one point don't be surprised if you happen upon an enormous herd of sheep with several sheepdogs that will likely bark at you. You will climb steadily uphill until reaching North Point and then the top of the mountain and the junction with the other loop trail.

Sheep on the Lookout Mt. trail.

Looking out from North Point.

Happy Trails!!


GPS COORDINATES TO THE INDEPENDENT MINE TH

Mt. Adams Horse Camp, Washington

Although I have camped on the north side of Mt. Adams a couple of times, I had not yet been to the lower elevation camp on the south side.

On the Round the Mountain Trail.

I arrived on the Tuesday after the 4th of July weekend. As I was getting my horse tacked up a guy that was camping there wandered over and said hi. He had been there since Saturday and I asked him if it had been busy over the long weekend, and he said no. During the rest of the four days, there were only a few other campers that came and went.

Mt. Adams Horse Camp is located not far from the town of Trout Lake, Washington. It has 12 spots, all with fire rings, picnic tables and high lines. Half of the spots are in the trees, the other half are out in the open. If it were to get really busy, there is also a huge meadow that can be used for dispersed camping. There are two manure bins, a bathroom, garbage cans, and a water trough for stock. The bathroom was missing toilet paper while I was there, until the last day, when someone finally came through and stocked it.
It is a $5.00 per night camping fee. At the pay station there are paper maps you can take with you and this ended up being an invaluable asset, as I was able to plan ahead and make some nice long loop rides. Update: As of 2022, the pay station is sealed up and they want you to pay at the ranger station in Trout Lake.

Mt. Adams Horse Camp.

Water trough at Mt. Adams Horse Camp.

On my first day I started out on the Buck Creek Trail and although there is a nice 10ish mile forested loop you can do, I chose to extend my day by taking the Morrison Creek Trail over to the Crofton Ridge Trail which is through a burn area. Then I rode down a gravel road to get back to the trail system, all together this ended up being a six hour ride. Heading back down FS Rd 8040 I got some nice views of Mt. Adams.
I stopped to check out the Wicky Creek Shelter, which is one of the fancier shelters I have ever seen, with three separate "rooms" and a bathroom nearby.

The meadow beside Mt. Adams Horse Camp.

On the Buck Creek Trail.

On the Buck Creek Trail.

Filling out our permit on the Crofton Ridge Trail.

Although the trails that are closest to camp are very well used, it is obvious that the trails that run higher up by the mountain don't get much horse traffic, but I was happy to find them cleared and maintained.

On the Crofton Ridge Trail.

The Wicky Creek shelter.

The second day was the nicest as far as weather, with lots of sun and blue skies so I made my way up the Wicky Creek Trail and then back onto the gravel road again, although this time finding a short cut on another smaller dirt road to cut off some time, and eventually I made my way to the Shorthorn Trailhead which leaves from Morrison Creek Forest Camp. My plan was to go as far as I could up this trail not knowing about trail condition or snow levels. Since I had tried to ride up to higher elevations from Keenes Horse Camp a few years back in late July and was not able to get very far due to snow, I was not actually expecting to make much headway in early July....BUT it was cleared and snow free and after climbing up into the alpine, I eventually made it onto the Round the Mountain Trail. I continued along this trail crossing several ravines and getting some amazing views not just of Mt. Adams towering above me, but also over to Mt. Hood and Mt. St. Helens.

Riding up FS Rd 8040 towards Mt. Adams.

Getting up into the alpine on the Shorthorn Trail.

Flowers on the Shorthorn Trail.

Crossing a ravine on the Shorthorn Trail.

Arriving at the Round the Mountain Trail.

Views from the Round the Mountain Trail.

Views from the Round the Mountain Trail.

On the Round the Mountain Trail.

It's always so hard for me to decide when to turn around when I am in this kind of country, since I am in my happy place, but of course I still had to go all the way back down, so reluctantly I made the decision once I had been riding about 4 hours, making this ride an 8 hour day all together. It is possible to trailer up to a parking area just before the trailhead which would cut off half the time.

Taking a quick break on the way back, at Morrison Creek Forest Camp.

On my way back about two miles from camp there was suddenly a lot of crashing in the bushes and then it abruptly stopped. I looked over and saw some foliage moving. I thought that was strange, since if it were deer or elk, once they start to leave the area, they tend to keep going, so I was wondering what had happened, had an animal injured itself? So I rode a few feet closer to get a better look and found out it was a bear! He took the opportunity at that point to leave the vicinity. I don't see bear very often, and actually in the ten years of owning my current horse, this was the first time seeing one while riding her.

On my third day, I did a 7 hour ride by taking the Big Tree Trail over to another secondary gravel road which I followed until I got to the Snipes Mountain Trailhead. This starts out in a very recent burn area (from 2015). There is a run off creek which was dry, but is impossible to cross by horse at this time, due to the steep drop off, so I went back to the road to get around it, and then bushwhacked back to the trail. This switchbacks uphill gradually beside the AG Aiken Lava Bed and once it gets higher it levels out and into a not quite as recent burn area with tons of flowers and lots of little aspens starting to grow. I made it to the junction with the Pineway Trail, my original plan had been to make a large loop again, but unfortunately the trail went from cleared to not cleared at this point, and so I had to turn around.

Riding through a burn area on the Snipes Mt. Trail.

On the Snipes Mt. Trail.

On the way back instead of going back the exact same way, I detoured onto the Gotchen Creek Trail and followed it back over towards camp via the Morrison Creek Trail, having the map made it easy to switch up plans and figure out an alternate route. Although all the trails are well marked, there are a lot of them through the forest that sometimes will just say "trail"on them and although I had no issues navigating the area, I did run into a couple of people on horseback who were trying to figure out which trail they were actually on.

The Morrison Creek Trail.

On the Morrison Creek Trail.

It started to rain literally the minute I got back, and I spent most of the evening in my LQ trailer thanking my lucky stars I am no longer a tent camper. Not a whole lot of excitement happened while I was in camp during the evenings, the few people there, just kept to themselves.

The last day I just did a short ride of about 3 hours leaving camp from the trail that is called the Lower Loop, which drops downhill then levels out for awhile before climbing back up. After finishing that, I did one more small loop on another section of the Big Tree Trail. At one point my horse and I spotted three young bucks wandering through the trees, they had not seen us, so we stood perfectly still as they got closer. Finally my horse swished her tail which alerted them to our presence, at which point they all scattered at warp speed in three different directions.
A short time later a momma deer bolted off to my right. Since it is that time of year, I checked the area where she had just been, and sure enough she had left behind her fawn. I stopped briefly to get a picture of the little cutie and then continued on.

Awwww!

I then drove myself and my tired pony home, very satisfied with my trip. I sure do love exploring new country!


GPS COORDINATES TO MT ADAMS