DESTINATION Elk Lake Trail #559 1 Photoset
2018-07-23 | |
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| Hiking | 10.18 Miles |
1,220 AEG |
| | Hiking | 10.18 Miles | | | |
| 1,220 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | I heard from a friend about the nice swimming opportunities and solitude that this trail afforded and decided to give it a shot on another of our 90 degree Portland days.
Arrived at the trailhead to find 1 other car already parked there, although I did not see anyone the entire time I was on the trail. The first couple of miles are a bit bland as the trail wanders along a ridge high above the creek and is quite exposed to the afternoon sun. In between occasional breezes I could feel waves of heat travel up from the canyon that were rather unpleasant.
Once I reached the first creek crossing things got much better. The first crossing was about a foot or so deep and felt great after baking in the sun for the last hour. The trail then wandered along the creek and through berry bushes before it quickly arrived at the fabled swimming hole. I spent some time fishing and decided to press on to the Battle Creek Shelter, I figured I would save the swimming for the hike back.
The rest of the way to Battle Creek shelter is not super exciting- 2 more calf deep creek crossings as the trail meanders deeper into the Bull of The Woods wilderness area. The site of the former shelter is not worth the effort- just a wide clearing in the forest that feels like a big let down. If I had to do it over I would definitely stop at the swimming hole, nothing past there is worth the effort. |
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