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Elkhorn Crest Summit Point, Oregon, October 2024

October 26, 2024 by Paul McClellan Leave a Comment

On Tuesday, October 8, I returned to Western Union Basin deep in the Elkhorn Mountains of Oregon. My goal was to climb “Summit Point” a peak rising to the west of Chloride Ridge along the Elkhorn Crest. Three days earlier I had driven in to this remote location and climbed Chloride Ridge West Peak. Summit Point appeared to be quite accessible using the same approach.

Summit Point on the right from Chloride Ridge West Peak
Summit Point on the right from Chloride Ridge West Peak

This would be the last of four high priority Elkhorn peaks I wanted to summit this season. In early August I had tried to visit Summit Point from the North Powder River. But road debris blocked my drive in several miles short of my intended parking spot. I hiked from there, anyway, but ran out of time far from the peak. I was much more hopeful today.

A boarded up cabin, likely someone's hunting lodge
A boarded up cabin, likely someone’s hunting lodge
The trail climbs west through juniper forest
The trail climbs west through juniper forest

Leaving my Jeep in Western Union Basin parked beside the forest road, I hiked again to Mayflower Meadow. This time I continued further west along a primitive road which became steeper and rockier, more of an ATV track than a road. I passed a boarded up cabin, perhaps someone’s hunting lodge. Further, the track became a trail through forest, then faded away on the lower east slope of Summit Point.

The upper east slope of Summit Point
The upper east slope of Summit Point
The likely summit of Summit Point
The likely summit of Summit Point

I climbed directly up the steep and open slope on good footing, occasionally finding and following game trails. I paused a few times to catch my breath. Before long, I arrived at the likely summit of Summit Point.

Peak 8346 and Chloride Ridge West Peak beyond from Summit Point
Peak 8346 and Chloride Ridge West Peak beyond from Summit Point
Twin Mountain to the left and Red Mountain to the right
Twin Mountain to the left and Red Mountain to the right

Three days earlier the sky had been clear but this day wildfire smoke had returned. Still, the Elkhorn Peaks were visible and I enjoyed, once again, identifying the many peaks I have visited over several years past.

The view NNW; Anthony Lakes lie beyond the distant peaks in the center.
The view NNW; Anthony Lakes lie beyond the distant peaks in the center.

To the north I found the route I had attempted in August. I noted how far away I was when I turned around. Today’s route via Western Union Basin had easier driving and was pleasant, scenic, and much more direct.

The Elkhorn Crest to the northwest of Summit Point
The Elkhorn Crest to the northwest of Summit Point
Summit Lake to the north below Summit Point
Summit Lake to the north below Summit Point
Columbia Hill on the right with Mount Ireland beyond it to the left
Columbia Hill on the right with Mount Ireland beyond it to the left

After a short lunch I moved over to a nearby alternative summit point and paused there for better views to the west. Neither summit point had a registry and I had none to leave.

Descending the east slope of Summit Point, with Mayflower Meadow in center view
Descending the east slope of Summit Point, with Mayflower Meadow in center view
My Jeep lies in Western Union Basin above the North Fork of Rock Creek
My Jeep lies in Western Union Basin above the North Fork of Rock Creek

I descended down the south ridge a short way to verify that a wooded point was not higher. It was not. From there I continued down the east slope to the trail below.

Chloride Ridge West Peak above Mayflower Meadow
Chloride Ridge West Peak above Mayflower Meadow

I returned to my Jeep the same way I had come, having seen no one else all day. I was in good spirits, having salvaged an otherwise unremarkable climbing season with four remote and infrequently visited peaks in the Elkhorn Mountains.

Filed Under: Hiking Tagged With: Elkhorn Mountains, Oregon, Summit Point, Western Union Basin

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