54. Beaver Dam Creek (Beaver Dam Creek Unit)

Suggested Citation: Kerr, Andy. 2000. Oregon Desert Guide: 70 Hikes. Seattle: The Mountaineers Books. p. 214.

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What to Expect: A pleasant mosaic of mountain mahogany, aspen, juniper, and sagebrush

Distance: 7.2-mile loop or 6.4 miles round trip

Elevation Range: 4,200-5,580 feet

Drinking Water: Yes

Best Times: Spring, fall

USGS 7.5' Maps: DeBord Peaks, Hunter Mountain

Oregon Map Starting Point: Ironside

(High clearance and/or four-wheel drive and an attitude is required to get to the hike site.) At 0.5 mile west of Ironside on US 26, take the Rose Creek Road south and follow this county road with signs toward Juntura. After approximately 15 miles on the main road, you'll come to a "major" (consider where you are) intersection. There is a tiny reservoir east of the intersection. Take the south road (still toward Juntura) 3.3 miles. Proceed east (immediately fording a stream) approximately 6.6 miles to where the road passes through a saddle. Park.

Hike south (DeBord Peaks quad) along the ridge between Godding and Beaver Dam Creeks (Hunter Mountain quad) to Buckskin Spring and then to Pinto Springs. Continue walking down Beaver Dam Creek as far as you'd like. (If you go too far, you'll reach private land and arguably some of the most cow-bombed landscape anywhere.) Return the way you came or hike east and then up Steamboat Creek, or west and then up Godding Creek, to the road and back to your vehicle.