For Labor Day Weekend we continued our focus on featured hikes from the Southern Oregon area and headed for the Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness to visit several lakes. Our goal was to finish hikes #6 & 7, Fish Lake and Buckeye & Cliff Lakes respectively. To do this we planned hiking into Fish Lake from the Beaver Swamp Trailhead, setting up camp there, and then taking the Lakes Trail from there to the Buckeye and Cliff Lakes for a loop described by Sullivan visiting Grasshopper Mountain. We planned on hiking out the next day one of two ways, either by Rocky Ridge which Sullivan described as a rough route requiring route finding skills or back the way we’d come via the Beaver Swamp Trail.
We made an unscheduled stop on the drive to the trailhead at South Umpqua Falls (We used our NW Forest Pass to cover the $5 day use fee). My Mom had mentioned a water fall along the South Umpqua River that they had not made it to during their explorations and when I saw the sign for the South Umpqua Falls picnic area I thought this might be the falls she was talking about so we pulled in for a quick peek.
We had the popular swimming area that often draws large crowds all to ourselves. We began by visiting the base of the falls then hiked up above the falls.
Ouzel
In all our wanderings here came to 0.4 miles, a good leg stretcher after having driven for a little over 3 hours. We then continued on our drive to the Beaver Swamp Trailhead which we arrived at shortly after 9am.
We set off downhill on the Beaver Swamp Trail which promptly entered the Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness.
It was surprisingly overcast and a light drizzle was falling as we hiked through a mixed forest with madrone trees and sporadic poison oak. When I’d checked the forecast the night before it simply called for “widespread haze” with Sunday showing as sunny.
After 1.4 miles on the Beaver Swamp Trail we arrived at the Fish Lake Trail where we turned left.
This trail followed Fish Lake Creek for 0.3 miles to Fish Lake.
Small cascade on Fish Lake Creek.
Logs at the outlet of Fish Lake. The Indian Trail can be seen on the far side. This junction was unmarked and you would have to cross the logs to reach it. In theory one could take this trail to the Lakes Trail near Buckeye Lake, but as we understand it the trail does not receive regular maintenance so we did not include it in our plans.
Arriving at Fish Lake
We continued around the northern shore of the lake for three quarters of a mile passing the one other family camped at the lake along the way (more on them later). Before reaching Highrock Creek we followed a use trail uphill to locate a suitable campsite. When we passed by the campers we caught the distinct smell of campfire smoke which, as of 7/22/2022 had been prohibited in Wilderness areas within the Umpqua National Forest. (Not a good start with this group.)
The clouds began burning off before we’d found our campsite.
We set up camp on a little knoll near an old stone foundation. We’re interested to know what used to be there but so far haven’t found any information on it.
After setting up camp we returned to the Fish Lake Trail which appears to have been rerouted through a large and elaborate campsite.
A little too developed for Wilderness standards.
From the large campsite the trail followed Highrock Creek for 0.6 miles to a fork. The Fish Lake Trail actually veered uphill to the left and the Lakes Trail picked up to the right.
A dry channel along Highrock Creek.
Crossing an unnamed creek.
The trail junction.
Just beyond the junction the Lakes Trail crossed Highrock Creek and began a steady climb along a hillside above Fish Lake.
Highrock Creek. There were several nice pools here which we utilized to replenish our water on our way back to camp.
Foam flower and a few ripe thimbleberries, Heather’s favorite.
This trail was well maintained and after approximately 2 miles we arrived at a junction with the Grasshopper Trail. A couple of things to note about this segment of the Lakes Trail. Sullivan showed it as 1.7 miles so this was a little longer than we’d expected, but more importantly the trail alignment shown our GPS unit’s topographic map had the trail quite a bit higher on the hillside. (CalTopo agrees with our actual track so it appears to be accurate.)
The junction with the Grasshopper Trail
We decided to make the climb to Grasshopper Mountain before visiting the two lakes so we turned right onto the Grasshopper Trail and trudged uphill gaining 860′ in the next 1.25 miles before arriving at a junction near Grasshopper Spring.
Pine white
Sign for the Gasshopper Mountain Trail.
Grasshopper Spring is out there somewhere.
We turned right onto the Grasshopper Mountain trail. This three quarters of a mile trail climbed another 350′ to the site of a former lookout. The climb was surprisingly gradual and passed through a variety of scenery along the way.
We had to go around this big tree.
A few aster
There were some good sized cedars up here.
A fritillary
Another big cedar.
Fritillary on pearly everlasting.
The final stretch to the summit passed through a fire scar.
Highrock Mountain to the left, Hershberger Mountain in the middle, and the Rabbit Ears to the right (post).
Rabbit Ears closeup.
Fish Mountain (back left), Weaver Mountain, Highrock Mountain, and Hershberger Mountain with Grasshopper Meadow below.
Highrock Mountain
Owl’s clover.
Arriving at the old lookout site.
We spent some time enjoying the view but a lack of shade (and places to comfortably sit) kept us from taking a longer break at the summit.
Buckeye (left) and Cliff Lakes below Grasshopper Mountain. The broad hump beyond to the left is Twin Lakes Mountain. We had visited a viewpoint on the north side of that mountain back in June of this year (post).
Buckeye and Cliff Lakes
Smoke on the horizon to the NW. The Cedar Creek fire to the NE, Rum Creek Fire to the SW or several fires in Northern California could be the culprit(s). The peak with the white spot to the center right is Quartz Mountain which we recognized from our Hemlock Lake hike in August (post).
To the NE we got a glimpse of Rattlesnake Mountain (far left) which we’d climbed during Labor Day weekend in 2020 (post).
Rattlesnake Mountain behind Standoff Point.
We headed back down toward the Grasshopper Trail but instead of simply retracing our steps we veered right after 0.6 miles on a spur of the Grasshopper Mountain Trail that brought us to the Grasshopper Trail on the opposite side of a saddle from where we’d left it.
A skipper
We veered right here which kept us from dropping below the saddle that we otherwise would have had to climb over on the Grasshopper Trail.
Descending to the Grasshopper Trail.
Trail sign at the other junction.
We turned right again and continued on our loop following the Grasshopper Trail downhill to Grasshopper Meadow.
Grasshopper Meadow through the trees.
Sign for a (faint) spur trail to a spring above the meadow.
The Grasshopper Trail skirted the meadow and a half mile from the saddle arrived at a signed junction with the Acker Divide Trail.
Highrock Mountain from Grasshopper Meadow.
A few flowers hanging on to the last days of Summer.
Common wood nymph
The trail got pretty faint just before the junction but we could see the trail sign so we just headed for it.
Fleabane? and paintbrush.
Acker Divide Trail pointer.
Pointer for Cripple Camp (we visited the shelter there on our Hershberger Mountain hike) and the Rogue-Umpqua Divide Trail.
We turned right onto the Acker Divide Trail following this trail for a total of 3.2 miles (per our GPS, Sullivan had it as 3) passing a spur to the Acker Divide Trailhead at the 1 mile mark, Mosquito Camp at the 1.4 mark, and a pond labeled Little Fish Lake in the guidebook after 2.8 miles. This appeared to be the least utilized trail that we’d been on. It was fairly well maintained but there was a lot of debris on it and vegetation crowding the trail. It also left and reentered the wilderness area a couple of times.
This fuzzy caterpillar was in a hurry.
The trail along an old log.
Passing through a small meadow near the spur to the Acker Divide Trailhead.
Yarrow and goldenrod
The area was really well signed.
Sign for Mosquito Camp on the tree to the right. There was zero sign of any established campsites here.
Meadow at Mosquito Camp, it came complete with mosquitos (not too many though).
First of two times reentering the Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness.
Scat on the trail, at least we knew something used it.
One of several very small bodies of water along Skimmerhorn Creek which may or may not be Little Fish Lake.
Overgrown trail near Skimmerhorn Creek.
Looking down at the pond? lake?
As we neared the Lakes Trail we began seeing more signs of what appeared to be an ancient lava flow.
Last of the lupine blooms.
Lots of these insect tents on the madrones in the area.
Arriving at the Lakes Trail.
At the Lakes Trail we again turned right following it briefly through a fire scar before reentering unburnt forest and arriving at Buckeye Lake after 0.4 miles.
First glimpse of Buckeye Lake
At this fork we detoured right to visit the lake shore.
A good reminder that far too many people tend to forget.
Grasshopper Mountain from Buckeye Lake.
We were surprised to find that there was no one at the lake given that it’s just a mile from the Skimmerhorn Trailhead. While there were no people to be seen we were not alone.
Lizard
We had to really watch our step because these little guys were everywhere.
There is an smaller, unnamed lake just West of Buckeye Lake that we did not take the time to check out closer.
From the far end of Buckeye Lake we followed the Lakes Trail 0.2 mile through the old lava flow to a spur trail on the right that led to a large campsite along Cliff Lake. Someone had left (placed) a small BBQ and tarp here but we never saw anyone.
The spur trail to the campsite.
Attempted panorama.
The campsite provided a nice shaded place for a break free of mosquitos. After a nice long break we returned to the Lakes Trail and continued another 0.3 miles to the junction where we had earlier turned onto the Grasshopper Trail. We turned left at the junction and headed back toward Fish Lake.
Footbridge over the outlet creek which flows into another small unnamed lake that we did not attempt to find.
Unfortunately the lighting made this tree very hard to photograph but it was the coolest tree/rock combination that we’ve encountered.
Fritillary on thistle.
Short climb back up to the junction.
We had considered having our dinner at Cliff Lake since it was close to 5pm but we had decided against it due to being low on water and preferring to refill from one of the creeks over the lakes. We followed the Lakes Trail back to Highrock Creek where I worked on dinner while Heather refilled our water. After enjoying some Mountain House creamy macaroni and cheese we hiked the final 0.6 miles back to our campsite.
This slug was heading our way while we finished dinner.
The Sun was getting pretty low as we ended our hike.
A big nest atop a tree and the Moon above Fish Lake.
Zoomed in on the nest and Moon.
Fish Lake just before 7:30pm.
We were again surprised by the lack of people, it appeared that it was still just us and the campfire family. We turned in a little after 8pm to the welcome sound of crickets. Just before 9pm someone with the campfire family decided it was the perfect time to repeatedly fire a small caliber gun. It was both jarringly startling and disconcerting. We were not sure which direction they were firing in and we had no idea if the even knew we were camped there. As the shooting continued we began to consider our options. We couldn’t hike out because we’d need to pass them and that didn’t seem safe in the dark plus we guessed that whoever it was had been drinking. (Based on the four Coors cans we passed the next morning cooling in a stream we think that was probably the case.) The other option was to move camp further back, there was a site near Highrock Creek that was closer to the water than we would normally choose but given the choice of being struck by a stray bullet of camping closer than 200′ to water we were going to pick the water. During a break in the gunfire I quickly retrieved our bear bag and moved it downhill where we could easily access it if we needed move to the creek. We settled on moving camp if the shooting started again but fortunately it did not and we were able spend the rest of the night in relative peace.
The next morning we discussed our plan for the day. Neither of us were too keen on passing by what we were now referring to as the “mouth breathers” but we also both had the sneaking suspicion that the previous days hike was longer than the 13 miles we had come up with adding the distances in Sullivan’s book together. In the end though we both felt like we’d regret not trying the longer (and more elevation gain) return via Rocky Ridge. We decided that we would go ahead and give it a try knowing that we always had the option of turning around and hiking out the way we’d come in on the Beaver Swamp Trail given it was less than 2.5 miles to the trailhead from our campsite that way. We packed up camp and headed for Highrock Creek to top off our water.
Campsite after packing up in the morning.
Passing our planned route for the day on the left. Highrock Creek was just a 20 yard detour to the right.
After replenishing our water supply we started up the Fish Lake Trail which climbed nearly 2200′ in three miles to its end at the Rogue-Umpqua Divide Trail near Highrock Meadows. This section of the trail had many signs of the 2017 Pup Fire scar which is the main reason we were uncertain whether or not we would be able to make it back to the trailhead this way. There were some signs of post fire trail maintenance, but we weren’t able to even make it a half mile before encountering a very large downed snag blocking the trail. It was too tall and at too steep of an angle to safely climb over and there wasn’t enough clearance to go under (we’d already done both options on other downed trees). The steep hillside was covered in downed trees and the fire had left the ground unstable making scrambling around too risky for our taste so we called it there and made our retreat.
I think this was the third obstacle, one of several that was easy enough to get over.
Prior maintenance, the second log may have been cut post fire?
End of the line for us. Even if we somehow got around this one there was still 9.5 miles of burned trail from the trailhead and who knew how many obstacles like this one we might encounter or how long it would take us if we somehow were successful.
We had the privilege of navigating this one twice. Heather is on the other side coming through.
Back at the junction.
From the junction it was just under three miles back to the car. We hustled past the mouth breathers who seemed to still be asleep and said goodbye to Fish Lake.
No clouds this morning.
Highrock Mountain behind Fish Lake. Seeing the vine maples turning colors reminded us that despite the heat Autumn was just around the corner.
Hiking along Fish Lake Creek.
Highrock Mountain from the Beaver Swamp Trail.
Leaving the Rogue-Umpqua Wilderness for the last time this trip.
Our suspicions about the length of our hike on Saturday were confirmed by our GPS showing a distance of 16.4 miles with approximately 3200′ of cumulative elevation gain.
Given the previous days hike and how warm it was by 9am it was probably for the best that we were turned back from the longer return as quickly as we had been. It had been a bit of a mixed bag with some good weather, nice scenery mixed in with the gunfire and not being able to hike out via Rocky Ridge but overall it had been enjoyable. (Click here for a look at the Rocky Ridge route pre-fire courtesy of Boots-on-the-Trail.)
At the trailhead we encountered a Forest Service employee who had just arrived for a two night stay at the trailhead. They were there to perform a survey of recreation users so we spent about 10 minutes answering the questions before heading home.
Unfortunately for us our adventure wasn’t over. If you’ve been following our blog this year you’ll know that we’ve had the low tire pressure light come on three different times, each one a long way from home (Siskiyou Gap, Black Butte Trail, and Russian Lake) due to a nail, a screw, and a rock. The latter leaving us with a flat tire near Callahan, CA and requiring a purchase of four new tires. This time just outside of Roseburg instead of the low tire pressure light half our dashboard lit up. All at once the check engine light came on, the X-mode indicator began blinking, and the Eye Sight unavailable lights all came on. After further review it appears that when the check engine light comes on those other systems are disabled prompting those indicators to come on. Regardless it was a Sunday and we were over a hundred miles from home. We kept a close eye on all the gauges for the rest of the drive and will have to wait until the Tuesday after Labor Day to make an appointment to have the car checked out. What I wouldn’t give for a Star Trek transporter. Happy Trails!
This was at least the third posted notice so there is no claiming you weren’t aware that a permit is needed.
Pamelia Creek
Fireweed along the creek.
Pamelia Creek only flows underground here much of the year.
Heading up.
A glimpse of Mt. Jefferson.
That might be Woodpecker Hill, it was hard to tell exactly which ridge we could see with nothing else visible to help orient.
This looked like it might be a nice little waterfall with enough water.
That’s not enough water.
Heather below one of several switchbacks.
Turning up the ridge.
The haze was probably a combination of morning cloud/fog and smoke from the Cedar Creek Fire near Waldo Lake.
Pinedrops
We were too late for most of the flowers but there were a few pearly everlasting going.
There’s that pesky Sun again.
Aster
Lousewort
Lots of burnt forest out there.
Triangulation Peak and Boca Cave (
Broken Top to the far left blending into the haze and Three Fingered Jack to the right with the Three Sisters in between.
Just below the summit.
Pamelia Lake below Mt. Jefferson.
Hunts Creek flowing into Pamelia Lake.
Had to hunt for a view of Three Fingered Jack.
A hard to make out Mt. Hood beyond the far ridge which consists of Bear Point to the left (
Mt. Hood
Beardtongue
A fritillary butterfly.
A skipper
Goat Peak is to the right of Mt. Jefferson.
Mt. Jefferson and Pamelia Lake from one of the viewpoints along the ridge.
Cascade toad
One more of Pamelia Creek.
Scarlet monkeyflower
Heading for the viewpoint.
The upper tier from the viewpoint.
First good view of the lower fall from the trail. The upper fall was visible but somewhat blocked by trees.
We really liked how the water curved and narrowed as it cascaded down.
The pool appeared to be extremely deep.
Hemlock Creek Trail heading uphill toward Hemlock Lake.
Trail sign for the Hemlock Creek Trail heading down to Lake in the Woods from FR 421.
Hemlock Creek Trail at Lake in the Woods Campground.
Lake in the Woods (a 4 acre man made lake).
Ghost plant
A rare photo of me for scale.
We mistook this for another campsite having not noticed the small sign on the tree.
We both noticed that the sign said Hemlock Lake was 4 miles away. Sullivan’s map showed that it was 3 miles from Lake in the Woods to the Yellow Jacket Loop which raised the question was the hike going to be 2 miles longer than we’d expected or did the 4 miles include some of the Yellow Jacket Loop? Based on the mileage in Sullivan’s book I had come up with 16.6 miles so an extra two miles would be pushing us close to 19 (we always find reasons to wander).
Sleepy bee
Same mileage on the sign on the other side of FR 421. The fact that Road 2759 showed 2 miles when Sullivan had 1.5 on his map was a pretty good indicator that we were in for more than 16.6 miles.
Tributary Falls (unofficial name) was just below a footbridge approximately a half mile from FR 421.
Middle Hemlock Falls was just two tenths of a mile further along.
Small cascade below Middle Hemlock Falls.
Leopard lily
Another drop with no way to get a view of the fall from above.
Typical use trail.
A small slide that was fully visible from the trail.
Clover Falls was a quarter mile above Middle Hemlock Falls.
Clover Falls
More leopard lilies
Moth hanging out around the falls.
Use trail to Clover Falls.
Heather coming up from the falls through a huckleberry bush that I may have been using for snacks.
Skunk cabbage leaves in a wet area.
Curious stellar’s jay.
FR 2759.
Again with the 2 miles.
A much more reserved Hemlock Creek.
More snacks
Frog
Coneflower and paintbrush
Fleabane
The wildflowers were already on the way out but on the positive side we didn’t have much trouble at all with mosquitos.
Hemlock Lake was to the left but Sullivan’s hike description called for doing the loop counter-clockwise. He typically has a reason for the direction he suggests so we’ve learned to stick with his recommendations.
Busy bee
A lone columbine
Dragonfly
Mountain owl’s clover
Damselfly
Bee on rainiera
Butterfly on hyssop
Oregon checkermallow
Coneflower
Fleabane and paintbrush
Brief forested section.
Hedgenettle
Northern phlox
Flat Rock beyond a meadow.
Large boykina
There was an opening at the saddle where Diamond Peak (
The all too familiar Summer “smoke” filter on the mountains.
The trail was a bit overgrown in places.
Starting to climb.
Heading out to the viewpoint.
Hemlock Lake from Flat Rock with Mt. Bailey (
Quartz Mountain in the foreground with Hillman Peak and The Watchman (Crater Lake Rim) in the distance.
Diamond Peak in the distance to the right and the smoke plume from the Cedar Creek Fire center-right.
Smoke from the Cedar Creek Fire 😦
Parnassian on hyssop
Grand collomia
Swallowtail on hyssop.
Mt. Bailey and Quartz Mountain.
Quartz Mountain
Union Peak. To the left is Highrock Mountain and to the right of Highrock Mountain are the Rabbit Ears (
The end of the old road section.
The only blooming lupine I saw all day.
The actual trail to the left was very overgrown here and hard to pick out at first glance.
The first convergence with FR 625.
Signpost at the second meeting.
There were a lot of different types of signs along the loop.
Monkshood
I was moving rather quickly now and not stopping for much but I did pause for these sugar sticks.
The trail never got very close to the lake.
Signboard at the Hemlock Lake Day Use Area.
Loop complete, no Heather.
The trailhead is right after crossing Emile Creek.
Cave behind the falls.
We stayed left here following the pointer. We later crossed the bridge on the way to Green Peak Falls.
Heather in front of the falls.
December 2012
Looking down river from the bridge.
Fireweed
Green Peak Falls
Green Peak falls in December 2012.
Covered picnic table.
The table is one solid plank.
Sign for McBee Park along South Fork Road.
Trail down to the picnic area along South Fork Road.
Silver pheasant
Red-breasted sapsucker
Bunnies in the grass near one of the benches.
Coffin Butte on the other side of Highway 99.
Turkey vulture
Wetlands on the other side of the pond.
Great blue heron
The loop trail to the right.
Skipper
Tadpole
We stayed left at any junction like this.
Dragon fly
Bindweed
Arriving back at the road.
The Bear Creek Trail at the trailhead.
Footbridge over Bear Creek.
Milk-vetch
Mountain lady-slippers
Bug on a thimbleberry leaf.
There were a couple of ups and downs where the trail got above Bear Creek.
Baker Gulch
Cliffs on the opposite side of Bear Creek.
Trail sign marking the junction with the Goat Creek Trail. By this time we had crossed into the 
Prairie smoke a.k.a. old mans whiskers
A fleabane
The Bear Creek Trail crossing Goat Creek.
Footbridge over Goat Creek.
Goat Creek
The unmarked but obvious spur trail to the (locked) Bear Creek Guard Station on the right.
Moneses uniflora – one-flowered moneses
Hairstreak
Crab spider
Moth
Swallowtail on a bog orchid
Lorquin’s admiral
A fritillary butterfly with some sort of spider on the underside of a leaf below to the right.
First time we’ve started a hike from a motel room.
Passing the Visitor Center on 2nd Street.
Dance arbor
Marmot
Approaching the pointer uphill.
Scarlet gilia
Dustymaidens
Skullcap
Heading up Tick Hill
Yarrow
Lupine
Mock orange and wild rose
Dragon fly
Moth mullien
Blanket flower
Checker-mallow and vetch
The Wallowas from the trail.
Sagebrush mariposa lily
A buckwheat
The Wallowa River and dance arbor from the viewpoint.
The Wallowa Mountians
Heading back to the post from the viewpoint.
About a quarter mile from the post we crossed this road leading to some radio towers.
Elkhorn clarkia
The gazebo ahead.
Shade!
Plaque near the gazebo.
View from the gazebo.
From left to right: Point Joseph, Hurricane Point, Ruby Peak, and Sawtooth Peak.
At the junction with the spur trail to the gazebo. We came up from the left and continued on to the right.
Recrossing the road.
Western meadowlark
Heading toward the radio tower.
A fleabane
There were several plaques along this stretch.
Various wildflowers
Cinquefoil
Lots of blanket flower.
Sticky geranium
Grand collomia
Scarlet gilia
The last line is great advice.
Swallowtail
Dragon fly
Bachelor buttons
Swallowtail on hyssop.
Wallowa River
Goldenrod
We parked about 200′ north of the actual trailhead per a suggestion by Sullivan in his guidebook.
The Rock Springs Trail at FR 62.
The trail passed a large rock field just below FR 62 and then entered the 
Lupine
Coralroot
The edge of the storm clouds.
Scarlet gilia along the trail.
Oregon sunshine and tapertip onion
Nettle-leaf giant hyssop
View from the trail before the first “viewpoint”.
Oregon checker-mallow
Assorted wildflowers
Blue sky following the storm clouds.
Scabland penstemon
Penstemon near the first “viewpoint”.
Yarrow
Douglas dustymaiden
Looking back from the viewpoint.
Buckwheat
The Point Prominence Lookout atop the high point to the left.
Ballhead sandwort
Heather coming down from the viewpoint.
Blowdown over the trail.
Nookta rose
Wood rose
View to the SE deeper into the Wallowas.
Mountain parnassian?
Back in the trees.
Some pale columbine. At first we thought it might be yellow columbine but it definitely had a red tint.
Thimbleberry crowding the trail. The storm had left a lot of water on the vegetation which in turn wound up on our legs and shoes.
Heading down into the valley.
Elkhorn clarkia
Approaching the second viewpoint.
Backbone Ridge which separates the Minam and Little Minam Rivers. We had crossed over that ridge further south on Tuesday when we took the Horse Ranch Trail from Moss Springs to the Minam River (post).
Grand collomia
Prairie smoke
Mock orange along the trail.
Twin flower and foam flower
Sign marking the junction of the Rock Springs and Little Minam Trails.
Possibly a wasp of some sort near the junction.
The first cabin ruin.
Almost looks okay from this angle.
Not so good from this angle.
The lodge was at the edge of this meadow.
The lodge
The fireplace seems to have held up well.
This cabin didn’t hold up.
Wildflowers near the watering hole.
The Little Minam River. We couldn’t quite see the confluence of the two rivers from here despite being very close.
The dangerous ford.
Here we tried looking for horse hoof prints to stick to the trail.
Butterfly on yarrow.
We think this was the trail.
The campsites where we picked up the Rock Springs Trail again.
Lorquin’s admiral
Looking across the gully we could see the trail cut climbing up the far hillside.
Pincushion plant
Resting moth
A plane taking off from Minam Lodge.
A popular thistle.
A skipper of some sort.
We both missed this yellow columbine on the way down.
View from the upper viewpoint on the way back up.
A final view from the Rock Springs Trail.
The cloud cover that moved in turned out to be a blessing as it kept the temperature reasonable as we made the long climb back up.
At the 0.7 mile mark the trail briefly followed an old road bed to an old clearcut.
Trail sign in the old clearcut.
Sullivan describes the second mile of this trail as one of the dustiest in Oregon but on this morning there was enough moisture in the ground to keep the dust at a minimum.
Rock Creek Butte (
Shortly after leaving the ridge we encountered the largest obstacle on the way to the pass.
The Elkhorns in the distance.
Granite at the switchback.
Entering the wilderness (photo from the way back).
Valerian along the trail.
View from the trail.
Burger Butte
Rosy paintbrush
Tributary of Middle Fork Catherine Creek.
Looking down the creek over the slide.
Yellow columbine
The snow began around 7200′.
Snow over the Elk Creek Trail.
China Cap from the trail.
Small meadow below the trail.
The China Ridge Trail joining from the left.
The Elkhorns to the right beyond Burger Butte.
Lyall’s Rockcress
The few patches of snow were just melted enough to allow us to avoid having to walk over them.
Burger Pass
Burger Butte from the pass.
Looking deeper into the Wallowas.
The snow patch below Burger Butte.
There were several patches of snow and some downed trees to navigate but I soon found myself at the junction.
The Sand Pass Trail can be seen climbing out of the basin in the sandy gap to the center left.
Meadow lookout.
View from the meadow.
Buttercups were about the only flowers blooming in the wet meadow.
The rocks along the ridge were really interesting.
Marmot? in the meadow.
Golden mantled ground squirrel watching us from the granite.
Butterfly
Mountain heather
Mushrooms near the Middle Fork Catherine Creek cascades.
Jacob’s ladder
Penstemon
Mushroom
Pacific coralroot
Entering the 
Scarlet gilia along the trail.
Tapertip onion
Scarlet gilia
Lewis flax, we were hoping to see it opened up on the way back up to the car but somehow we both completely missed it.
Arrowleaf groundsel
Bog orchid
False sunflowers
Paintbrush
Sticky geranium
Footbridge over Horseshoe Creek.
Horseshoe Creek
Spotted coralroot
Mountain lady slipper
Little Minam River
Coral fungus
Huckleberry Creek
Bridge across the Little Minam River.
Little Minam River
The only area that we encountered showing signs of having burned in the not too distant past.
Elkhorn clarkia
Junction with the Little Minam Trail (left) just below the pass.
The meadow from the trail.
Arriving at the meadow.
Horses at Red’s Horse Ranch.
Minam River
Landing strip near Red’s Horse Ranch.
A plane coming in for a landing at the nearby 
Lousewort
Diamond clarkia
Grand collomia
Millipede
Pink pyrola
Little Minam River
Coral fungus
We saw a bunch of these black moths? but they seldom sat still long enough to get a photo.
An Orobanche
Penstemon
Butterfly
White mariposa lily
Large-flower triteleia
Arriving back at the trailhead.
A $5 fee is required here and at several other trailheads we visited during the week. (An annual 
Lots of purple venus penstemon.
There were also some white scabland penstemon on the hillside.
Buckwheat
Venus penstemon
Lupine and stonecrop
Paintbrush
North Fork Catherine Creek
Douglas dustymaiden
Spreading dogbane
The trail crossed several side creeks, all of which were we were able to cross dry footed.
A brief stretch along North Fork Catherine Creek.
Queen’s cup
Another side creek.
Bog orchid
Spotted coralroot
A fleabane
They’re a little blurry but you can see the ants in the cracks where they would drop their sawdust. It was fascinating to watch and we paused for quite a while.
Columbine
Mountain lady slippers
Large-flower triteleia
Back above the creek.
The bridge over Catherine Creek.
Bluebells next to the bridge.
Crab spider
Another type of penstemon
Rosy pussytoes
A side creek running down the trail.
Yellow columbine
Entering the 
Jim Creek, this was one of the trickier crossings.
Hound’s tongue
Nettle-leaf giant hyssop
One of several smaller meadows along the trail.
Jacob’s ladder
California corn lily and bluebells.
Boot Hill Creek was also tricky as it had taken over the trail.
A large patch of coralroot.
A few remaining balsamroot blooming above North Fork Catherine Creek.
Arriving at Catherine Creek Meadows.
All the black dots in the blue sky were gnats flying over the stream at the trail crossing.
Heart-leaved bittercress
Looking back at the sign post in the meadow marking the trail junction.
Another dry section of trail.
It wasn’t dry for long.
Yellow buttercups and pink elephant’s head.
Elephant’s head, one of our favorites.
Ladybug
Nearing the cabin.
Ground squirrel
Squatter running from the cabin.
Beetle
Another beetle and Nevada bitterroot.
Brunch
A comma of some sort.
Big mushroom
Something from the Lycaenidae family.
Coneflower
Swallow-tail on red clover.
Fritilary on clover
Mourning cloak perched overhead.
Lorquin’s admiral
A tortoiseshell
Skullcap, one of the hardest flowers to get a decent picture of for some reason.
Tapertip onion
Yarrow and other wildflowers up the hillside.
wanderingyuncks 