But you WILL need boots with spikes, or things like YakTrax. See page 98-100 of the Oregon Big Game Regulations for details. No restroom at trail head. Warm Tuesday and only saw a couple other people. Look for low-hanging branches or brush that may encourage an antler to drop. Fun but bring water and non slip shoes not flip flops. Access permission doesnt just apply to private land. Another shed hunting-related bill headed to Gov. Each year, the organization recognizes the top five largest sheds for five different species (mule deer, black-tailed deer, white-tailed deer, Rocky Mountain elk and Roosevelt elk). Trail was clear of snow and there was a couple patches of mud- but easily walked around. Premier View Home Site on 80 acres with approx. Loved the trail and surprised near the end. it's so beautiful, and not nearly as busy as the Deschutes or Willamette National Forests. Explore Ochoco Shed/Morel Hunting - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. I do not recommend lowered vehicles. Glass the hillsides from the trailhead, or look for recent sign like fresh hoof prints or scat on the ground. Trailhead was busy on Fourth of July but there was still parking. Pay special attention if the trail is interrupted by a section of rocks or a cliff where elk would need to lunge their bodies, generating extra force upon landing, and possibly dropping their racks in their tracks. Great hike. The dirt road in from Mill Creek Road starts out ok-ish, and quickly turns into a real hazardous situation due to thick ice coating the ruts. March 9, 2012 By: Lindsay Thomas Jr. Our Tacoma nearly slid off the side of the road several times even with studs, 4lo, and lockers. I made it about a mile up and parked off the road and walked to the trailhead. worth the time.. No bugs except a tiny wet area in the very beginning but that doesnt really count. No cellular reception, fyi. Plus a few people. Super fun hike! Shed hunting can make for a great family outing. Photo by Rob Tanner. Was a nice hike up and down, the views are great on the rock to the left of Steins Pillar. Snow is beginning to melt, but refreezing due to elevation. wildflowers blooming like crazy. Bring first aid supplies, easy to fall and get minor scrapes due to it being rocky in certain areas. If both of these areas are fruitless, check obstacles in funnels where deer are forced to jump or duck. Of all the areas a person can go hunting rocks, the Crook County area of Oregon is one of the most productive and pleasant. Depending on the harshness of the recent weather, it doesnt hurt to wait till the end of May or even June to shed hunt. Cool temps. I love the Mill Creek Wilderness. No restroom at trail head. Nice, mostly shaded (morning) hike with diverse plants and trees. 2. Road doable in a passenger vehicle. It also hosts an event to introduce people to shed hunting. What techniques should you use? Cool temps. The trail was great! I do not recommend lowered vehicles. Excellent hike with beautiful views! Respect road and area closures. Depending on the harshness of the recent weather, it doesn't hurt to wait till the end of May or even June to shed hunt. In addition, there is a large pad for a Barn or equipment shed. The Ochoco National Forest and the Crooked River National Grassland are home to many treasured landscapes and activities. as long as you watch for where to turn, the path is pretty clear. Great out and back that we made into a loop by hiking the ridge to the road and winding our way back to the trailhead the pillars are impressive as is the mature ponderosa pine forest. It takes your breath away when you round the bend and see Steins Pillar looming ahead. Here are some last minute tips, when you begin to find sheds start your . The signage and directions to the trailhead could have been better. No snow and amazing views. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Even with traction devices, you may end up in a bad way. list of trails I want to try and find elk/deer sheds and morel mushrooms from. Additional resources for paper maps are available at: U.S. Bureau of Land Management Land Maps. Trail is well groomed and you cant get lost. 1875. The road to the trailhead is an ice rink nearly the whole way up. (503) 947-6022 Super fun hike! We had three cows that followed the path with us though they kept a good distance ahead of us. The road to the trailhead is an ice rink nearly the whole way up. as long as you watch for where to turn, the path is pretty clear. It was cool, not windy at all and just great weather overall! The wild flower show was mostly over but it was an unusually hot and dry spring. Lots of varieties of flowers and nice scenery. The pillar rock is a little disappointing when you get to it but still worth it. Beautiful hike. Bring a couple of waters and enjoy! Trail was clear of snow and there was a couple patches of mud- but easily walked around. I veered off a bit onto some unused roads that were on the map but weren't on the trail. Before bombing over to retrieve it, keep glassing from that vantage pointtheres likely another shed close by. Not muddy, no ice or snow. Wildflowers!! Went today and it was beautiful. When hunting, we try and anticipate where the deer will be, but shed hunting, we try to figure out where deer have been. Went today and it was beautiful. Nearby Recently Sold Homes. Shed hunting is a popular activity and an exciting remedy for cabin fever. Nice trail, we just hiked to the first viewpoint of the "Pillar" which reduced the mileage to 2 3/4 miles RT. No outhouse at trailhead. Also agree that hiking poles are helpful for steeper, narrow sections. copyright 2023 Great trail. We hiked June 27, 2021 on a day that reached 106 deg. It was exceptional weather and made a great hike. Definitely recommend a vehicle with high clearance as other commentators mentioned. If last year was more on the dry side, antlers will drop sooner. Anything other than a sports car can make it up the road. It also hosts. Went today and it was beautiful. The views are amazing. Road was good getting up to the trailhead. Back on Feb. 2, Punxsutawney Phil aka, the fuzzy little varmint that miraculously forecasts the winter-spring transition on Groundhogs Day indicated there would be another six weeks of winter this year. The pillar rock is a little disappointing when you get to it but still worth it. There is lookout point at 1.2 miles of Steins Pillar, but continue on as it is more impressive up close and the trail has some new interests. Shade. It was exceptional weather and made a great hike. From the turn off to the trail head it is 2 miles. I do not recommend lowered vehicles. Your success while shed hunting often depends on the questions you ask yourself. Gated access with new paved road, Power and Natural Gas are on the property with an 80 GPM well. Access road is rough but doable in just about any normal clearance car as long as you take it slow. If you don't have chains or sided tires, you don't stand a chance, and will likely end up sideways, or worse. If you see the pillars view lookout on your right then youve gone to far. Easily marked. No outhouse at trailhead. Three items I bring on every shed hunt are a walking stick, large daypack, and binoculars. I was a moderate train that is best hiked in the morning to mitigate the sun. So trust your gut, sharpen those eyes and avoid putting stress on wintering deer and elk. 0. Amazing views at the end. Even with traction devices, you may end up in a bad way. worth the time.. Trail is in great condition and the views are gorgeous. Beautiful hike. Which makes it so amazing! Which makes it so amazing! Good trail for horses. If you see the pillars view lookout on your right then youve gone to far. Our properties are constantly changing, so let us keep you abreast of information that could help you make the purchase of a lifetime. The trail itself has both packed snow and ice. As soon as I saw deer in the thick trees, I was looking for a buck them bam, she shot. But the last 2 miles of dirt road to the trailhead are not great - doable but tough in a regular SUV. Shed hunting 2022. It has enjoyable views throughout the trail. Do your homework before heading into the hills by checking specific regional snowpack reports and webcams to determine the elevation and depth of snow in a specific zone. The road to the trailhead was very manageable. There are 25 single sites complete with picnic tables and four vault toilets, plus a group site that can accommodate 12 to 35 of your nearest and dearest earthlings. We went a bit further and went all the way down. @a.stay.nw on IG for more photos. Mark David, who was archery hunting on private ground in northwest Oregon, arrowed a bull on Saturday evening. There are first-come-first-serve sites for tents and RVs and reservable group sites. From the turn off to the trail head it is 2 miles. Steins Pillar is fun to see too. If you see the pillars view lookout on your right then youve gone to far. We went a bit further and went all the way down. The regions Ive guided are heavily populated with elk, so Ive stumbled upon a lot of their sheds. But the last 2 miles of dirt road to the trailhead are not great - doable but tough in a regular SUV. When the animals have moved on, you can return and look for sheds. 503-808-6001. blm.gov/maps. Pretty step in some sections and Trail not well maintained, was a beutiful hike all by myself uphill for about three miles a couple spots were a little hard to find the trail went down to main road on the way back if you think your lost follow the horse poop lol enjoyed this hike. People who collect shed antlers are allowed to sell or exchange them, but certain rules apply. Joined: Jan 2008. Description list of trails I want to try and find elk/deer sheds and morel mushrooms from VIEW FULL MAP Reviews (323) Easy 4.2 (21) Mill Creek Wilderness Trail Located just 2 Miles off Interstate 5 with access to Medford or Ashland in 15 minutes. Its a 2 mile bumpy dirt road to the trailhead. Access road is rough but doable in just about any normal clearance car as long as you take it slow. it was so green and lush this time. Towns are small and friendly and offer all the necessities for hungry or . Iv found more dead bucks than antlers! 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