Oregon · Hiking

Prospectors Trail

1.0 mi
round trip
70 ft
climb
3,084 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Sep
best months

Prospectors Trail is a short, easy out-and-back hike in Oregon, about half a mile from the town of John Day. The trail is just over a mile long, with a total elevation gain of about 70 feet, and it starts and ends at roughly 3,077 feet. The high point is 3,084 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.85 miles in, with a grade of about 3 percent. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in John Day show July and August highs around 86°F with only three or four wet days a month, while winter highs sit near 40°F with about 11 wet days a month. The hike takes about half an hour, so it works well as a quick stop. For more time on foot, Canyon Mountain Trail #218 is about 4 miles away, and the Back of Beyond Trail and Beyond Trail are both within about 8 miles. Magone Lake Recreation Area, about 9 miles off, offers camping.

  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Sep

    Best time to visit Prospectors Trail

    Best months: May–June and September. 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

      40° / 21°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      45° / 23°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      52° / 26°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      57° / 30°

      11 wet

    5. May

      66° / 37°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      75° / 43°

      8 wet

    7. Jul

      86° / 48°

      4 wet

    8. Aug

      86° / 46°

      3 wet

    9. Sep

      77° / 39°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 31°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      48° / 26°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      39° / 21°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at John Day, OR, 0.3 mi away at 3,063 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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Magone Lake TrailPhoto: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Magone Lake Trail

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Deadhead TrailPhoto: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Strawberry Basin Trail #375Photo: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Canyon Mountain Trail #218

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Summit Trail #5002Photo: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Phlo TrailPhoto: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

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Pine Creek Trail #201

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Little Strawberry Trail #375APhoto: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Little Strawberry Trail #375A

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1.12-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 308 ft elevation gain.

Buckhorn Meadows Trail #205Photo: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Buckhorn Meadows Trail #205

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5.2-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 2,117 ft elevation gain and loss.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors