Western Union Basin Archives – GlassMountains Trip Reports

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

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.

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On Saturday, October 5, I left our home in the Baker Valley to attempt the West Peak of Chloride Ridge. The previous month I had climbed Chloride Ridge East Peak, and I decided then that my best chance to reach the West Peak of Chloride Ridge was from Western Union Basin and Mayflower Meadow, above the North Fork of Rock Creek.

Chloride Ridge West Peak in the center of this view from Chloride Ridge East Peak.

I followed Forest Road 5520 as it climbed beside the North Fork of Rock Creek. It was at times eroded and often steep, requiring high clearance and 4WD Low from my Jeep. The road forked, climbed more steeply, and became rockier. But I was delighted to find it was quite passable high into the basin.

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Elkhorn Crest Summit Point, Oregon, October 2024

Chloride Ridge West Peak, Oregon, October 2024