4.9 hr
Overview
NOTICE: Trails in this area were affected by the 2020 Beachie Creek Fire. Please check current closures in the Willamette National Forest before planning an outing. There is only one trail that crosses the eastern expanse of the Opal Creek Wilderness and that is the Battle Ax Creek Trail. Ironically, this “trail” uses, in its entirety, the route of a mining road that once extended from Jawbone Flats up to the Beachie Saddle Junction and thence down to join forest roads leading into Detroit. Culverts on the road have been washed away, and it is interesting to inspect some of the exposed old wooden culverts. The loop suggested takes you down this trail to the Battle Ax Creek Crossing; from here, rise steeply to the Whetstone Mountain Ridge and circle back along the ridge crest past Silver King Mountain and up over the summit of imposing Battle Ax and its expansive views. Between these last two peaks is a huckleberry gathering paradise and you may even encounter a bear to share the bounty with! Walk up the road in shady Douglas-fir, mountain hemlock, noble fir, and silver fir woods. In just over one-third of a mile, pass the Bagby Trailhead for Trail #544 and continue up the road bed. You’ll pass a good view out to Mount Jefferson before reaching the small turnaround at the end of the road. From here, the trail continues up the old road bed, beginning with a severe washout at a culvert. Sitka alder and thimbleberry overhang the trail. Look up to the right at a cleft in the rock face above. The trail becomes an eroded gully. The steep slopes of Mount Beachie’s rugged northeast ridge hove into view. The tread widens out to road width again and reaches the trail crossroads at Beachie Saddle Junction. To the right is the Battle Ax Mountain Trail, upon which you’ll be returning, and to the left is the trail up to Mount Beachie and then along French Creek Ridge. Keep straight and drop down an old road bed that has been heavily bermed. Get a view of Battle Ax’s expressive and rugged west face. After the berms, you’l
Trail Stats
0.0 km
1479 m
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400px-BattleAxCreekMap
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250px-WhetstoneBagbyJct1
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