Three Forks Trail
NOTE:
The Three Forks Trail burned in Grizzly Bear Complex Fire
of September 2015. It may be a few years before this area
recovers for recreational use.
Hike Rating: Moderate
Hike Length: 6.4 miles roundtrip
Elevation Loss: 1,600’
Trailhead Elevation: 3,960’
Best Season: June through September
Driving Access: Any vehicle
Plus
Points
• A scenic hike that starts on
the rim and ends on the banks of Crooked Creek
• The hike is cow-free and entirely within the
Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness Area
• Sweeping, panoramic vistas up and down the rugged Crooked
Creek canyon
• Trail traverses both dry, south-facing slopes and
forested, north-facing slopes
• Perennially-flowing Crooked Creek makes a cool, shady
hike destination
• The trail is seldom used, so solitude is likely
Minus Points
• Hike can be brutally hot in
mid-summer, so plan to start in early AM on hot days
• Rattlesnakes are commonly encountered throughout the
summer, so be aware
Download
(PDF, 801 KB): Photos of Three Forks
Trail
Download
(PDF, 755 KB): Topo Map for Three Forks
Trail
Download
(PDF, 655 KB): Road Map for Three Forks
Trail
Trail
Notes
The trailhead
is about 50 yards west of the turnaround parking area, back
up Road 246. The trail starts downhill through a mixed
forest of fir and larch, then starts switchbacking down the
steep hillside through open stands of ponderosa pine with a
grass understory. Within the first mile, one gets glimpses
through the trees of the rugged canyon below. At 1.2 miles,
the trail switchbacks south across a rocky point, where one
has breathtaking, panoramic vistas over the Crooked Creek
watershed and the deeply-incised topography of the
Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness to the north.
From this viewpoint, the trail begins a long descent to the
south, across hillsides with sparse bunchgrass on the dry,
south-facing slopes and thick shrubs (spirea, maple and
thimbleberry) in the moist drainages. In late summer, look
for bear sign in these thickets. At 1.6 miles, the trail
switchbacks north again and begins a gradual, mile-long
descent into Crooked Creek. Along the way, the route passes
through mixed douglas fir and larch stands on the northern
exposures and scattered ponderosa pine and even juniper on
the dry, southern exposures. There are scenic basalt
outcrops in this section.
At 2.8 miles,
the trail begins its final descent into the creek bottom,
through large firs and ponderosas and past the turnoff for
the Crooked Creek Trail heading south. Once on the canyon
bottom, the route goes north upstream along a high terrace
for 0.2 miles, under big ponderosas, to a small rock cairn
and a trail sign to Moore Flat. Turn left (west) here and
follow this trail for about 200 yards to the river
crossing. There are many nice spots along the floodplain to
relax, have lunch, and enjoy the stream corridor.
Road to Trailhead
In the town of Troy, OR, turn
north onto signed Bartlett Road. Drive 5.6 miles,
switchbacking up out of the Wenaha River canyon, then
driving northwest up along Bear Creek, to a prominent road
junction. Branch left here (west) onto signed Reynolds Lane
and follow it west for about 0.8 miles, then north for
about a mile, then east for another mile and finally north
again for about 0.6 miles to Kessler Mill Road on the left.
This intersection is just past on old homestead house on
the left.
Drive west on
Kessler Mill Road for 3.1 miles to a cattle guard at the
Forest boundary, where it becomes Forest Road 4039. Drive
0.4 miles on Road 4039 to Road 246 on the left, just past
the Three Forks Picnic Area and vault toilet on the right.
The trailhead is 0.2 miles down Road 246, about 50 yards
before the parking area at road's end. Though the access
route is a bit circuitous, it is all on good gravel roads
from Troy, driveable by any passenger car in nearly any
weather. A Northwest Forest Pass is required at the
trailhead.
Camping Options
For tent campers: There are
several nice dispersed camping spots under big ponderosas
near the junction of Road 246 and Road 4039, just 0.2 miles
from the trailhead. A vault toilet is located at the Three
Forks Picnic Area just down the road, but no drinking
water.
For all campers: The nearest developed camping area is at
Grizz Flat, on the Wenaha River floodplain just south of
Troy, and 14 driving miles from the trailhead. It is
managed by Oregon State as part of the Wenaha State
Wildlife Area. There are no designated campsites, but
there's room for everything from large travel
trailers
to tents.
There is a vault toilet, but no drinking water and no fees.
Be aware this camping area is taken over by hunters in
October (it even has a shooting range). Drive south from
Troy on the river road, across the Wenaha bridge, and in
0.2 miles look for a signed turnoff on the right (west).
Follow this gravel road as it contours around the hillside
for 0.5 miles to the riverside flat.
Other public camping sites are available about a mile east
of Troy, along the Grande Ronde River, just off the paved
river road. These are campsites in an open grassy meadow
along the river, managed by Oregon State, across the road
from the headquarters of the Wenaha State Wildlife Area.
There is a vault toilet, but no drinking water and no fees.
Drinking water, showers, laundromat, gas, propane,
groceries and other supplies are available at the Shiloh
Resort in downtown Troy, which is open Wednesday through
Sunday (closed Monday and Tuesday). Contact them at (541)
828-7773 for details.
Agency Contact: Umatilla National Forest,
Pomeroy District, (509) 843-1891
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: 11/25/13