51. Eagle Canyon (Spring Basin Unit)

Suggested Citation: Kerr, Andy. 2000. Oregon Desert Guide: 70 Hikes. Seattle: The Mountaineers Books. pp. 198-199.

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What to Expect: Clarno formations of colorful clay soils with rugged shapes

Distance: 11.2 miles round trip

Elevation Range: 1,450-2,260 feet

Drinking Water: Yes

Best Times: Anytime

USGS 7.5' Maps: Clarno, Muddy Ranch

Oregon Map Starting Point: Antelope

From Antelope, proceed 15 miles east on OR 218 to Clarno Road (1.4 miles east of the John Day River crossing). Go south on Clarno Road 2.9 miles to afour-wheel-drive track heading east (you're now going southeast). Park a short distance up this track. This is a two-night backpack.

Walk 1 mile easterly on the four-wheel-drive track to near the top of the ridge. After dead-ending into a north-south four-wheel-drive track, take it southerly (soon moving onto Muddy Ranch quad), looping easterly into Spring Basin Canyon. At 2.2 miles, another four-wheel-drive track takes off easterly 0.8 mile, dead-ending into a four-wheel-drive track in Hay Bottom Canyon. Follow the track southerly down the canyon 0.8 mile to the junction with another four-wheel-drive track, which will take you easterly 0.8 mile into Eagle Canyon. Camp either in Spring Basin Canyon or Hay Bottom Canyon and explore Eagle Canyon the following day.