April 16, 2016
We have hiked the Elk Creek Trail a couple of times, always from the Yellow Rock TH. So to change things up, we headed north (sort of) and started the Elk Creek Trail from the Homesteader's TH. This trailhead is located just past the 8 mile post marker on Elk Creek Road.
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| Time for a hike!! |
The trail itself is the old Elk Creek Road, which was to be under water when the dam was completed. Since that did not happen, that old road is now an almost 5 mile long trail along Elk Creek that features beautiful meadows, wildflowers, and of course views and side trails to Elk Creek.
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| The Elk Creek trail/road |
The start of the trail from this TH took us through a previous fire burn area and with the clear blue sky for a background, provided some beautiful photos.
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| Fire burn area along......... |
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| the start of the trail. |
Once we came to a locked gate to keep motor vehicles off this trail, we took a left and followed a tire rut trail that eventually took us to the Seven Mile Bend area. We highly recommend that you take this side trail when you hike here.
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| Take this tire rut trail to the Seven Mile Bend area. |
The Seven Mile Bend area features some small "beach" areas, a deep swimming hole (which Katie used), some beautiful cascades just upstream from the swimming area, and even a couple of "Pitcairn Cairns". There are even trash cans available so you can pack in a lunch and spend a few hours enjoying the creek.
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| The swimming hole at Seven Mile Bend |
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| Katie taking a dip in Elk Creek |
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| Creek cascades just above the swimming hole area. |
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| Pitcairn Cairn #1 |
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| Pitcairn Cairn #2 |
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| View of Elk Creek from another side trail |
We continued hiking the tire rut trail which eventually took us back to the paved road trail. Over the next few miles we saw various wildflowers, a couple of other hikers, enjoyed the beautiful and green meadows, and made one other side trail trip to the creek. We did start our hike early today knowing that the forecasted heat would seem even hotter on the pavement. Never hike this trail on a hot day in the afternoon - unless your really like heat.
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| Beautiful green meadows! |
If you get the chance to hike this trail just outside Shady Cove, we highly recommend trying it from the Homesteader's TH and taking the side trip to Seven Mile Bend like we did today. It would be a very nice place for a lunch, reading a book and/or a swim -- and of course hiking too.
Trekking Together
Glenn & Carol
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