Date and time

Saturday, July 13. Walla Walla—Carpool 8:20, leave 8:30 am; Milton-Freewater--Carpool 8:50 am, leave 9:00. Hike 9:30 am-1 pm

Name of hike

Rim of the North Fork of the Umatilla Wilderness

Hike description  

Following US Forest Service roads, we hike along the rim of the wilderness with great views of the canyons, cross three or four beautiful streams, and see charming meadows in the forest. The strawberry bushes are flourishing and loaded with flowers, so we might expect an exceptional crop. The huckleberries look abundant, too. If ripe on the day of the hike, we will feast. Light uphill walking during the last hour.

Leader

Clark Colahan, colahaca@whitman.edu, 509-592-7660

Time and distance

2 ½ hours walking. About five miles.

Difficulty  

5 medium; some mild elevation change

Dogs welcome?

Yes, if well behaved

Start location  

We will meet at MF hardware store where the highway jogs left, at 8:50, depart at 9 am.

Directions

To car pool from Walla Walla, meet at 8:20 am below the tall Staples sign in the Cascade Farm & Outdoor parking lot on 598 N Wilbur Ave across from McCurley Toyota. Leave at 8:30 am and arrive at Milton-Freewater location at 8:50.

To car pool from Milton-Freewater, meet in the parking lot in front of Ace Hardware, where the state highway jogs to the left at 8:50 am, leave at 9:00.  

Drive to McDougall Camp just off of hwy 204 on Weston Mtn. Continue driving until we reach the breaks of the North Fork Wilderness, 30 minutes after MF.

What to bring

Lunch and water.