Ninemile Ridge Trail
Hike Rating: Moderate
Hike Length: 7.6 miles roundtrip (variable)
Elevation Gain: 2,140’
Trailhead Elevation: 2,430’
Best Season: May-June and September
Driving Access: Any vehicle
Plus
Points
• A premier view hike, starting
at the river bottom and climbing to the ridge tops
• Hike is cow-free and entirely within the North Fork
Umatilla Wilderness Area
• Trail alternates between grassy, south-facing slopes and
forested, north-facing slopes
• Wildflowers are abundant in Spring, including purple
larkspur, paintbrush and lupine
• Lots of elk sign in saddles along the ridge, with
possible elk sightings if stealthy
• Successively higher viewpoints on the ridge offer a
choice of hike destinations
Minus Points
• Hike can be brutally hot in
mid-summer, so plan to start in early AM on hot days
• Afternoon thunderstorms present a lightning hazard on the
exposed ridge tops
• Rattlesnakes are a possibility throughout the summer, so
be aware
Download
(PDF, 606 KB): Photos of Ninemile Ridge
Trail
Download
(PDF, 849 KB): Topo Map for Ninemile Ridge
Trail
Download
(PDF, 806 KB): Road Map for Ninemile Ridge
Trail
Trail
Notes
The hike
begins at the Buck Creek Trailhead and follows the Buck
Creek Trail for about 75 yards before branching off to the
left (north) on the unsigned Ninemile Ridge Trail. This
trail then climbs up the hillside, steeply at times,
through douglas fir and ponderosa with a thick understory.
At 0.5 miles, the trail turns east and begins a long,
gradual traverse through open, grassy slopes and moist
draws filled with thick shrubs (thimbleberry, spirea and
maple). In Spring, wildflowers are abundant on the open,
grassy slopes. In Fall, look for bear sign in the shrub
thickets.
At 1.4 miles, the trail switchbacks abruptly to the north
and begins another long, gradual traverse to the ridge top.
From this switchback, one has wide views south over the
Buck Creek watershed to Buck Mountain beyond. The route to
the ridge top has a nice diversity, passing through thick
fir forests on the northern exposures and grassy slopes on
the southern exposures. At 2.3 miles, the trail gains the
top of the ridge at Point 3618, where one has sweeping
vistas west to Graves Butte and Bobsled Ridge beyond and up
the South Fork Umatilla River canyon.
From Point
3618, the trail again turns east and ascends along the
spine of Ninemile Ridge. Soon, there are wide views north
into the North Fork Umatilla River canyon. The trail up
along the ridge has a few steep climbs leading to open,
rounded viewpoints, but also flat or even descending
sections into broad saddles. Look for elk sign along the
tree line in these saddles. At 3.1 miles, one comes to
Point 4121 and panoramic overviews of the Wilderness. This
can make a good hike destination, as the views are only
marginally better higher up. However, those wanting to
reach the summit of the ridge can continue another 0.7
miles up to Point 4568.
Road to Trailhead
From Hwy 84, about 7 miles east
of Pendleton, OR, take Exit 216 for the Wildhorse Casino.
Drive about 2.1 miles north to a flashing red light, then
turn right (east) onto Mission Road. Follow Mission Road
for 1.7 miles, then turn left onto paved
Cayuse Road
and drive for about 11.2 miles east along the Umatilla
River canyon. Between mileposts 15 and 16, just before the
hamlet of Thorn Hollow, turn right across the railroad
tracks onto paved Bingham Road, following signs for the Bar
M Ranch. Drive this road (which becomes Road 32 at the
Forest Boundary) for about 16 miles, past the Bar M Ranch
Camp, to the Umatilla Forks Campground. The last 3.5 miles
to the campground are good graded gravel.
Just past the campground, but before the bridge over the
South Fork Umatilla River, look for dirt Road 045 branching
to the left (east). Follow Road 045 for 0.2 miles to the
trailhead sign at road's end, near the entrance to the
Kiwanis Organizational Camp. Park here, taking care not to
block the gate into the organizational camp.
Camping Options
The only developed campground
in the vicinity is the Umatilla Forks Campground, along
Forest Road 32, just 0.2 miles from the trailhead. On a
shady bench above the South Fork Umatilla River are 12
sites, 6 of them for tents only and 6 for trailers and
tents.
There is a
vault toilet and a potable drinking water supply. Fees were
$10.00 per night in 2013.
For campers with their own water and sanitation, there are
8-10 nice dispersed campsites along the South Fork Umatilla
River upstream from the developed campground. These sites
are along the river bank, spread out over the three miles
between the two river bridges. They are all accessible from
the good gravel road running up the canyon, with about half
of them suitable for camping trailers and half for tents
only.
Agency Contact: Umatilla National Forest, Walla
Walla District, (509) 522-6290
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: 11/26/13