Dobbin Creek Trail
Hike Rating: Easy
Hike Length: 7.0 miles roundtrip
Elevation Change: 280’
Trailhead Elevation: 5,540’
Best Season: June through September,
once
access road is snow-free
Driving Access: Any vehicle
Plus
Points
• A charming creek hike on a
less-visited tributary of the Little Minam River
• The trail is entirely within the Eagle Cap Wilderness
Area and is cow-free
• Wet meadows, pristine mixed forests, plus scenic rocky
cliffs add to its appeal
• Mule deer, elk and grouse sightings are a possibility, if
one walks quietly
• No major stream crossings, so this trail is safe during
the heavy Spring runoff
• A good place to find a bit of solitude in an otherwise
heavily used hiking area
Minus Points
• The first 2 miles of trail to
reach Dobbin Creek are a rutted "horse highway"
• One can expect to encounter other hikers or equestrians
in these first 2 miles
Download
(PDF, 803 KB): Photos of Dobbin Creek
Trail
Download
(PDF, 826 KB): Topo Map for Dobbin Creek
Trail
Download
(PDF, 665 KB): Road Map for Dobbin Creek
Trail
Trail
Notes
The hike
begins at the far east end of the Moss Springs Campground,
near a prominent trailhead bulletin board. The trail
follows an old road east for about 150 yards to a "Y",
where one takes the right fork, following signs for "Upper
Little Minam River, Trail #1942." From here, the wide trail
descends southeast into the Little Minam River canyon
through a mixed forest of douglas fir and western larch.
At 0.7 miles, the trail descends a few short switchbacks
through open hillside meadows, where one has long views up
the river valley and the Dobbin Creek canyon joining from
the south. At 1.1 miles, the trail switchbacks again down
into Fireline Creek, which is an easy crossing on stones in
the stream. For the next mile, the trail traverses a long
flat bench above the river, through thick stands of
lodgepole pine. The river can be heard, but rarely glimpsed
in its channel down below the trail.
At 2.0 miles,
one comes to a second trail junction, where the Dobbin
Creek Trail branches right (aka the Art Garrett Trail,
#1913). Before starting south up Dobbin Creek, it's
worthwhile to visit the Dobbin Creek crossing for a quick
cool-off, just 80 yards ahead on the Little Minam River
Trail. Returning to the trail junction, Trail #1913 starts
south up a hill, through lodgepole pines, before coming
alongside the stream.
For the next 1.2 miles, the trail is along the west side of
the stream and is within sight or sound of the water for
its entire length. At times, the trail climbs gradually up
the hillside away from the stream, but soon rejoins it. At
intervals, one passes long wet meadows along the creek,
which can be good spots for side trips and explorations. At
3.5 miles, just past a picturesque rock cliff to the east,
the trail comes to a wide creek crossing. This can make a
good hike and lunch destination at streamside. Return as
you came.
Road
to Trailhead
From Hwy 237 in Cove, OR, turn
south on French Street (opposite the High School) at the
sign for Moss Springs Campground. Follow this paved road
(as it becomes gravel Mill Creek Lane, then Road 6220 at
the Forest boundary) for 8.7 miles to the Moss Springs
Trailhead. The trailhead is at the far east end of the loop
road around the campground. This access road is a good
gravel surface that is suitable for any passenger car or
camping trailer. A Northwest Forest Pass and self-issued
Wilderness Permit are required.
Camping
Options
The closest
camping area is the Moss Springs Campground, right at the
trailhead. It has 10 sites, some suitable for camping
trailers and others for tents. Each site has a picnic table
and a fire ring, plus there are several vault toilets, but
no drinking water. The fee was $5.00 per night in 2014.
Stock facilities are nearby, including corrals, feed bunks
and loading ramps. Though it's located on a high-elevation
rim, this campground gets a lot of summer use, especially
on weekends, due to its good access road and its proximity
to La Grande.
Another developed campground in the area is Catherine Creek
State Park, about 25 driving miles from the trailhead.
Located on a narrow strip between State Hwy 203 and
Catherine Creek, this pleasant campground has 20 sites that
are suitable for anything from large travel trailers to
tents. Spread out across a grassy flat, under big trees, it
has picnic tables, grills, flush toilets and drinking
water. The camping fee was $10.00 per night in 2014. This
campground can also be busy during in the summer months,
especially on weekends.
Agency
Contact: Wallowa-Whitman Natl. Forest,
La Grande District, (541) 963-7186
DISCLAIMER:
Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this
information, but the authors do not guarantee that it is
either current or correct. The reader assumes full
responsibility for any use of this information, and is
encouraged to contact local public land agencies to inquire
about current conditions before
traveling.
Page
last updated: 12/10/14