OUTSIDE WALLA WALLA

Buck Mountain Trail

Buck Mountain Trail (Photo Credit: Steve Dildine)

ACTIVITIES

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Trails ,

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(Hiking, Trails)

Overview

Summary

Challenge your fitness climbing over 2,000 feet from the South Fork Umatilla River or take the family for a relatively leisurely stroll along the rim of Buck Mountain. As one of the many North Fork Umatilla Wilderness trails, Buck Mountain Trail does not disappoint. It is accessible from lower and upper trailheads and offers connectivity with several other trails. This also means the hiking season starts early down low and stays cool up top.

WHAT TO EXPECT

If you want a hike the whole family can enjoy, start at the Lake Creek Trailhead. Follow the Lake Creek Trail for a half mile through dense forest to a...

If you want a hike the whole family can enjoy, start at the Lake Creek Trailhead. Follow the Lake Creek Trail for a half mile through dense forest to a multi-trail junction. Make a left to join the Buck Mountain Trail and continue through the forest while making a gentle climb. In just two miles, trade the forest for the open ridge line of Buck Mountain and spectacular views of Grouse Mountain, Umatilla Rim Trail, and greater North Fork Umatilla Wilderness.

This is a good spot to take in the views and have lunch before making your way back to the trailhead. Otherwise, continue on another three miles following the ridge line to the wilderness boundary. The trail then descends 1,900 feet down to the South Fork Umatilla River to its end at the Buck Creek Trailhead.

If looking for a backpacking loop, the Buck Mountain Trail connects with several other trails including the Nine Mile Ridge Trail , Umatilla Rim Trail, Buck Creek Trail, and Lake Creek Trail.

Keep in mind that conditions change rapidly in the forest–flood, slides, and fire to name a few. The lower section of all of these trails are subject to incredible understory growth and are not currently regularly maintained, often making finding and navigating loops challenging.

Regulations
Wilderness regulations apply in the North Fork Umatilla Wilderness. Such restrictions include no motorized equipment, bicycles, or hang gliders to name a few. Groups larger than twelve are prohibited as well as caching or leaving equipment or supplies for longer than 72 hours. Most applicable to hikers is the fact that short cutting a switchback on any trail is also a violation of wilderness regulations. For a complete list of wilderness regulations visit the Umatilla National Forest website.

Wildlife Awareness
We are all so fortunate to recreate in the Blue Mountains and Walla Walla Valley. So many opportunities exist to play outside, whether in a national forest, wilderness area, or on a Wild and Scenic River. With these opportunities comes great responsibility to appreciate that we are mere visitors and should all take pride in being good stewards of the wild.

Many animals call these protected places home, including moose, elk, bear, cougar, bobcat, and snakes to name a few. Take precautions to respect their home and understand the appropriate response should an encounter occur.

Additionally, many plant species thrive in the Blue Mountains, so staying on trail is always good practice.

Carry First Aid supplies to better respond to accidents or encounters, and always let others know where the day’s adventure is taking you.

Field Notes
Navigation: Consider downloading the Avenza Map app. This app allows users to upload three maps (or unlimited with a subscription) to use offline. It can track your location offline and overlay GPS data from the phone onto the map. The vehicle use maps (for trails allowing motorized vehicles) are the easiest to use.

Otherwise, Geo Tracker offers similar tracking capabilities and additional details about your adventure. If no service, Geo Tracker will at least show your location. The Blue Mountains and surrounding area offer a remote recreating experience, and knowing your location is paramount to staying safe. Always make sure to bring paper maps. Tell others where your adventure is taking you and when you expect to return.

Pets: In general, pets are allowed on a leash and under control throughout jurisdictions. The only restrictions we have encountered are around swimming areas. As a best practice, be mindful of riparian habitat in general. You never know where a precious spawning area might be located. Pack it in and pack it out applies to your furry friend as well.

Disclaimer: While the Outside Walla Walla team has enjoyed all the adventures listed on this site, we cannot provide real-time conditions & maintenance reports. Extreme weather can change access overnight. Volunteer groups might lose capacity to manage trail systems. We do our best to report that information and update our site accordingly, but please read our Disclaimer (footer) and proceed with any adventure as your comfort level allows.

WHAT TO DO

Hiking

Buck Mountain Trail (#3075) is accessed via the Buck Creek Trailhead (lower) or Lake Creek Trailhead (upper). The trail spans over seven miles, mostly within the North Fork Umatilla Wilderness. At the top, the Buck Mountain Trail, Lake Creek Trail (which terminates at its meeting with Buck Creek Trail), and Umatilla Rim Trail converge roughly half a mile from the Lake Creek Trailhead.

At the Buck Creek Trailhead at its lower end, the Buck Mountain Trail meets the Buck Creek Trail and Nine Mile Ridge Trail. This rare intersection of so many trails keeps avid hikers busy changing up routes and creating loops throughout this spectacular wilderness area.

Consult the Forest Service page for agency information.

Buck Mountain Trail Gallery

WHEN TO GO

Like many trails in this area, explorers are treated to the best of both worlds. Lower access in the spring while winter still grips the upper reaches of this trail allows for early season recreating. Often in the heat of...

HOW TO GET THERE

Directions to the Lower Trailhead (Buck Creek Trailhead): An important note about how to reach these trails—the bridge on Spring Hollow Road is impassible. Some apps will direct you to take Pambrun Road. This will lead to a ten mile...

Directions to the Lower Trailhead (Buck Creek Trailhead): An important note about how to reach these trails—the bridge on Spring Hollow Road is impassible. Some apps will direct you to take Pambrun Road. This will lead to a ten mile backtrack to the highway. Currently, Google Maps is reflecting the correct route via Mann Road. The passable route does involve gravel roads. These roads are typically well maintained, but expect some water running over the road depending on the weather, potholes, and mud.

From Walla Walla, take HWY 11 south just past Athena, Oregon. Turn left on Mann Road and continue for 1 mile to its intersection with Crawford Hollow Road (these two roads make a Y, the paved road transitions from Mann Road to Crawford Road). Keep right and stay on Mann Road (now gravel) at the Y & continue for 4 miles. Turn left on North Cayuse Road and continue to the end of the road. Make a left turn returning to pavement on Cayuse Road & continue for 5 miles. Make a right turn onto Bingham Road/ County Road 900 (becomes Forest Service Road 32 at the forest boundary) and follow (for 8.5 miles) to Corporation, North Fork Umatilla, and Buck Creek Trailheads as they present along the road.

The Buck Creek Trailhead is just past Umatilla Forks Campground. Veer left onto Forest Service Road 3200-045 (which also leads to the Buck Creek Kiwanis Organization Camp) for approximately a quarter mile to the Buck Creek Trailhead at the end of the road. There is enough parking for about eight vehicles; those bringing horses should park at the Corporation Trailhead.

Directions to the Upper Trailhead (Lake Creek Trailhead): From Walla Walla take HWY 11 south passing through Milton-Freewater, OR and continue for five miles and turn left on Winn Road. Travel another two miles and then turn left onto HWY 204. Take HWY 204 east for approximately 27 miles and turn right on Summit Road / NF-31. Continue for five miles then turn right onto NF-3150 (sign for Lake Creek TH). Drive just over a mile and make a right onto NF-3150-035 (sign for Lake Creek TH). A small parking area is available on your right at the road gate. The trail begins just past the gate on your right.