Oregon · Hiking

Elk Creek

1.4 mi
round trip
1,455 ft
climb
5,327 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Elk Creek open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Wild Rivers Ranger District. It doesn't name Elk Creek, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Wild Rivers Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Elk Creek is a moderate out-and-back hike in Oregon's Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests, on the Wild Rivers Ranger District. It sits at about 1.4 miles and gains roughly 723 feet one way. The route starts at about 5,300 feet and reaches a high point near 5,327 feet, with the steepest stretch coming early in the climb, where the grade reaches about 27%. The trail is natural-surfaced and allows horses but not bikes. It is not an accessible trail. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the Sexton Summit weather station, about 35 miles away and roughly 1,500 feet lower, show July and August highs near 77°F with only about two wet days a month. Winter months there run from 15 to 16 wet days a month, with highs in the low 40s. The hike is open year-round, and the estimated time is about an hour. The nearest neighbors are the Sturgis Fork and Lake Mountain/Bigelow Lakes Trail, each about a mile away, and the Mt. Elijah Tie Trail at about 1.5 miles. For an overnight base, Chinquapinn Camp is about 6 miles off.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Elk Creek

    Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      43° / 33°

      16 wet

    2. Feb

      44° / 33°

      15 wet

    3. Mar

      46° / 33°

      16 wet

    4. Apr

      52° / 35°

      14 wet

    5. May

      61° / 41°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      68° / 46°

      6 wet

    7. Jul

      77° / 53°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      77° / 54°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 51°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      58° / 43°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      47° / 36°

      15 wet

    12. Dec

      41° / 32°

      16 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sexton Summit, OR, 35 mi away at 3,832 ft. The station sits about 1,500 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

    Closures we've recorded since August 2026

    • Stage 2 Public Use Fire Restrictions (Forest-wide)

      Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests · Order dated September 4, 2026; seen Sep 3, 2026 → lifted Oct 28, 2026 · Forest Service

    • Stage 3 Public Use Fire Restrictions (Forest-wide)

      Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests · Order dated July 17, 2026; seen Aug 23, 2026 → lifted Sep 3, 2026 · Forest Service

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