Blue River Ranger District
Take Hwy. 126 east from Blue River for 3.5 miles, turn right on USFS
Rd. #19 (Aufderheide National Scenic Byway). Continue on for 22 miles,
turn left unto USFS Rd. #1964 for 2.25 miles, then turn left unto USFS
Rd. #456 to the Elk Creek trailhead.
This trail begins at 3,040 feet, connects to many other trails, and
ends at an elevation of 4,400 feet by Cultus Lake in Eastern Oregon.
The beginning of the Elk Creek Trail is steep with many switchbacks
for the first 2 miles. It then tops off and follows a gentle grade. Connecting
trails in the vicinity lead hikers into the Mink Lake Basin area.
Length: 8.8 miles (14.16 km)
Use: Light to moderate
Difficulty: Difficult to moderate