Diamond Peak - Oregon Butte Backpack

Check it out

Distance: 25 miles round trip

Difficulty: Moderate

Hiking time: 2 - 4 days

Season: June throught September

Maps: Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness map

Info: Pomery Ranger District, (509) 843-1891

Backpacking trip notes

Access:From U.S. Highway 12 in Pomeroy (milepost 404), turn south on 15th Street. Continue south out of town for 15 miles. (Road changes names to Mountain Road.) Pavement ends at national forest boundary. Continue straight, staying on Forest Road 40 for 15-1/2 miles, passing Clearwater Lookout. Turn right on Forest Road 4030. Go 4-1/2 miles to trailhead for Mount Misery Trail 3113.

Attractions: Out-and-back route compiles one of premier ridge hikes in steep canyon and tablelands of 177,412-acre Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness, which spans border between Washington and Oregon. Springs provide trickles of water that make camping possibly without ever slipping far from skyline. Seeing elk - or elk sign - virtually assured. Route’s rolling terrain would be ideal for mountain biking. However, all “mechanized” vehicles prohibited in designated wilderness areas. Only stock and foot access allowed. Area can be crisp, dry by August, but area still can hold wealth of butterflies. Wildflower show includes asters, pearly everlasting, lupine, Indian paintbrush and tall petalless cone flowers near springs.

Comments:All spring water sources noted here and on maps must be filtered and purified for human consumption. Springs often are little more than boggy puddles, but easily tamed by modern filtration devices.

July best time for wildflowers in wilderness, although solitude easy to find through most of summer. Heaviest traditional use by elk hunters in October-November, when virtually every campsite in Blue Mountains can be occupied.

Route begins on Trail 3113, as designated on Umatilla National Forest map. Note, however, that Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness map, the preferred general map for wilderness travelers because it includes topographic features, designates this as Trail 6144.

Good views begin immediately from trailhead at wilderness boundary. Trailhead sign underestimates distance to Oregon Butte.

Trail climbs fairly steadily for first mile, passing overlook near site of previous trailhead and junction with with Trail 3135, which heads north to Tucannon River.

At 1 mile, pass junction with Trail 3124, which heads south to Wenaha River at Diamond Spring. From here, one can make side trip, angling southeast on unmaintained trail along ridge toward Diamond Peak, a bald 6,379-foot peak distinguished by radio tower.

Continue route by heading west on trail 3113/6144 toward Tepee Campground. Trail eventually settles into wonderful mile of rolling ridge trail before dropping down to saddle and possible campsite at Sheephead Corral at 2-1/2 miles.

Trail climbs again before another section of rolling ridge that drops to Squaw Spring at 3-1/2 miles, site of first easily accessible water.

Hiking easy from here to Bear Wallow Spring at nearly 5-1/2 miles. Springs not always obvious, but trails used by stock and wildlife usually lead the way.

At 6 miles, Clover Spring obvious on edge of timber along open ridge. Black pipe drains trickle of water into horse trough hollowed from log. Campsite just above.

From here, look southwest to destination at Oregon Butte Lookout.

At nearly 7-1/2 miles, bear right at fork in trail (left fork heads down short way to Bullfrog Spring campsite). Pass Trout Creek Trail 3100 junction at area known as Indian Corral and continue up and over open area to signpost in large gravely opening at 8-1/2 miles. Head south here toward Tepee.

Game trails can make route obscure on gravely ridge. Pass large cairn, then bear slightly right onto west side of first knob to catch more obvious trail as it angles down into timber. Trail then navigates onto ridge leading to Oregon Butte.

At nearly 12 miles, bear left and uphill at timbered campsite to continue on Trail 3113/6144. Walk another 1/4 mile to vague junction where trail heads downhill in clearing. From here one can go uphill to left to excellent but dry campsite on ridge. Or head downhill to water source at Oregon Butte Spring and trail that leads another 2 miles to Tepee trailhead.

From ridge campsite, one has excellent views into Trout Creek drainage, where hawks often put on air shows. Spur trail leads westward from campsite up ridge mile to Oregon Butte Lookout, high point visually and in elevation at 6,387 feet. Cabin-style lookout generally staffed in summer by volunteers. Not open for public use.

Options: Consider shuttling vehicle or orchestrating two groups and trading keys en route so you can hike route one way.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Map of Diamond Peak - Oregon Butte Backpack area

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