By Olivia Dugenet
Cover photo courtesy of Jared Kennedy
The Blue Mountains Trail is for everyone. For those not up for a 530-mile commitment, shorter backpacks and day hikes offer excellent opportunities to explore the Blues a little at a time.
NORTH FORK JOHN DAY WILDERNESS
Here, you’ll find old forests, rugged trails and deep solitude in one of the wildest and most beautiful river canyons in the Northwest. Be prepared for challenging terrain, steep canyon views and knee- or waist-high river fords through water that is fresh, clear and cold. This backpacking route starts at Crane Creek Campground near Sumpter, Oregon, and stretches 25.6 miles one way along the North Fork John Day River. This trip takes 2 to 4 days, depending on a hiker’s preferred pace.
ANTHONY LAKES AND ELKHORN CREST NATIONAL RECREATION TRAIL
While the Anthony Lakes area is primarily known for its ski resort and mountain biking trails, it also offers beautiful hiking. The 8-mile Anthony Lakes Loop Trail provides alpine lake and mountain views without an overnight stay.
A spectacular backpacking route travels 22.5 miles one way from Anthony Lakes to Marble Pass along the crest of the Elkhorn Mountains. Along the way, hikers have the option to scramble up the west face of Rock Creek Butte to the highest point of the Elkhorns (9,106 feet) and sign the summit register kept on a rock cairn at the top. Mountain goats thrive in this region. Keep a safe distance according to standard wildlife guidelines.
CANYON COUNTRY
Head to Buckhorn Overlook to view the full grandeur of Hells Canyon—the deepest canyon in the United States, just a few hours’ drive from Spokane. The Blue Mountains Trail follows the Western Rim National Recreation Trail, which can be accessed via several trailheads including PO Saddle, Warnock Corral and Dug Bar and offers excellent day hiking. The Bench Trail is another popular route that allows access to Hells Canyon in spring when temperatures are mild and the land is green.
READY TO TRY A FULL SECTION OF THE BMT?
For folks interested in backpacking one or more complete sections of the BMT, Jared Kennedy of GHCC recommends starting with Section 5: Anthony Lakes to Sumpter, Section 6: Sumpter to Austin Junction and Section 7: Austin Junction to John Day. According to Kennedy, GHCC has been able to focus more energy on trail maintenance in these sections.
Find more detailed information about these and other shorter hikes and backpacks on the Greater Hells Canyon Council website under the “Short Hikes and More” section.
