Wander the West

Black Canyon Trail - Ochoco Mountains

	Burnt section of the Black Canyon Trail

2006

I had an ambitious plan to hike the entire 23.6 out and back Black Canyon trail. Not only did I fail, today I can barely walk. Yup, I got my butt kicked.

I still hiked over 20 miles of it though and was able to enjoy some great scenery. The trail started at 6,400 feet and drops 3,550 feet by the time it ends at the bottom of the canyon. The top of the trail was several miles of the usual Ochocos terrain and vegetation. Ponderosa pine forest with occasional open fields that by now (late August) are often full of dead and withered skunk grass. Once the trail starts descending into the canyon the scenery changes dramatically. This canyon has many springs and the vegetation is very thick. This kind of dense forest is what I expect to find in the Cascades, not in the more arid Ochoco range. Ferns, wildflowers and many other plant species create a dense ground cover.

The trail crosses spring fed Black Canyon Creek many times as it winds down the canyon. There is a camping area at about the 7 mile mark and another one a few miles further down the trail. Midway down the canyon I entered a large area that looks to have burned in the last few years. The trees are blackened but the forest floor is alive with vibrantly colored plants. This was really an amazing sight. The terrain really starts giving way to desert at the 10 mile mark. I was hoping to see the other end at 11.7 miles but I had to turn back before reaching the end due to impending fatigue. I was also worried about the likelihood of rattlesnakes at this lower elevation and the safety of my dog.

Overall I enjoyed the hike very much. In the future I would probably prefer to do this hike in June-July due to all the hunters in the woods. Camping sites were somewhat limited and there wasn't quite as much solitude as I prefer.

Getting there:
Trails.com/Falcon guide gives these general directions for getting to the trailhead:

US Highway 26 to Forest Road 12, approx 63 miles East of Prineville. Turn right on Forest Road 12 and travel 15.6 miles. Left on Forest Road 1250. Travel 3.9 miles then head straight at the junction on FR 90. Travel 3.6 miles then turn left on Forest Road 5820. Travel .4 miles to FR 5840 and travel this road 2.5 miles to the trail head.

First I'd like to note that there are lots of good camping spots on Forest Road 1250. Unfortunately the directions from the Falcon Guide break down after FR 1250. I think the Forest Service has relabled 5820 5810 in many places and 90 doesnt seem to exist.

My own version (not sure this is the best way but its how I found it):

US Highway 26 to Forest Road 12, approx 63 miles East of Prineville. Turn right on Forest Road 12 and travel 15.6 miles. Left on Forest Road 1250. Travel on FR 1250 for about 4 miles until you hit the T intersection. Left on 38. Travel 38 for approx 5 miles?? (I didnt measure this stretch) and take a right on FR 5810. Follow 5810 for another 5?? miles. Left on FR 5840 and travel this road 2.5 miles to the trail head.

Or finally my totally new version which is way easier:

In Prineville as you are heading East, take a right on the Paulina Highway. Paulina is approximately 46 miles East of Prineville. A few miles past Paulina take a left on Beaver Creek Road. At the 12 mile mark past Paulina take a left on FR 5810. You will easily be able to spot this turn because directly across the road on the right is the Sugar Creek day use area. Follow 5810 for 15+? miles to FR 5840 and take a right. 2.5 miles to the trailhead.

Black Canyon Trail Photos

- Aaron Walton