Elkhorn Mountain Creek

Current Status: Closed. This creek was overrun by the Beachie/Santiam Fire in Sept 2020 and has been closed. Please check on local closures before planning a trip to this area. When the area eventually reopens, use extreme caution when descending the creek. Between landslides, fallen trees, and loose rocks, this area may be unstable and dangerous for years to come. The canyon may have changed dramatically. Do not rely on the beta below being accurate. Elkhorn Mountain Creek is a tributary of the Little North Santiam River draining the northern face of Elkhorn Mountain and sports one huge multi-pitch rappel at over 200ft. The creek has particularly nice access when the road is melted out as one can drive pretty much all the way up to the top. Bushwhacking is minimal. Get an early start as it can be a full day event. From the popular Three Pools area, follow FR2207 past the Pearl Creek Guard Station and a bridge over the Little North Santiam River. Park in the trailhead on the left. Note the trail going downstream on the opposite side of the road. This is the exit. Drive back out ~2mi to the town of Elkhorn, and turn left on Elkhorn Dr SE (becomes FR 201). Follow the road past several houses and up some long switchbacks on a rough gravel road. High clearance best, but 2WD okay if driven carefully. Follow for 5.3mi until it rounds a spur at 3700' elevation and find a place to park.

From the upper parking area, head directly down the nose of the ridge. Descend about 0.2mi, losing 400ft through open forest. On spotting a small pond on your right, circle around the north side wherever is easiest. Travel east for 0.15mi to drop into a flat swampy area just adjacent to the creek. This is a good place to suit up. Not far downstream is R1.

R6-R9 is collectively known as Elkhorn Mountain Falls and is well over 200ft. The drop is multi-tier and is broken up into several rappels. Continue downstream. Pass through talus field with some large shifting blocks. Continue downstream through some mossy cataracts. All can be downclimbed on one side or the other.

Continue downstream another 10min to reach the confluence where another tributary enters DCR. Five minutes later, exit DCR by scrambling up a steep bank. As soon as you're atop the ridge, the terrain mellows out. Do a descending traverse, downhill and eastwards to meet the trail running along the south side of the Little Santiam River in a few minuts. Follow the trail 1.4mi back to your car a the lower trailhead. En route you will pass the famous Three Pools area with some interesting rock formations. Hike out takes about 35min.