Section 8: Abert South to Colvin Timbers, 30 miles
Beginning Access Point: Deter Ranch Road and Highway 395, between Lakeview and Valley Falls
Ending Access Point: Colvin Timbers on Abert Rim
Section Summary: The ODT continues following the Fremont
National Recreation Trail north to Vee Lake Campground, and
then follows two-track roads and cross-country sections to Abert
Rim and Colvin Timbers. The trail transitions from mixed conifer
forest to open sage and juniper, and finally into the isolated pine
forest of Colvin Timbers. Water is plentiful along the Fremont
National Recreation Trail, and there are a few water sources
along or near the trail as it heads north on Abert Rim. The
maintained trail climbs for most of this section, and the rocky
Road to Mill Trailhead
cross-country terrain on Abert Rim can be tiring, but the views
are worth it! This section would be great to explore as soon as the snow melts in late spring. There is a
sign shortly after the Mill Trailhead notifying hikers that the trail is open from June to October, but
according to the Forest Service, this closure is more a warning about early season conditions such as
snow and downed trees.
Section Details: Where the gravel Deter Ranch Road turns
east from Highway 395 (WB111, see photo) the ODT follows
signs to the vehicle pullout at Mill Trailhead (WB113, start of
water access at creek). From here the Fremont National
Recreation Trail #160 heads to Vee Lake, some 18 miles
north. The trail follows Crooked Creek, first as an old
roadbed, then transitioning to single-wide trail. National
Recreation Trail markers and cairns at creek crossings make
this a very easy trail to follow. Near WB118 (last reliable
creek water until Swale Creek) the trail comes to an
Vee Lake
intersection, and the ODT continues uphill and east to cross
the gravel Forest Service 3615 road at the South Crooked Creek Trailhead (WB119).
Here the ODT follows the trail toward Swale Trailhead and Vee Lake to the north. The trail climbs
through forest and open meadows along the slopes of Twelvemile, McDowell, and Crook peaks (see
photo). Hanks Spring (WB122; murky water September 2011 and June 2013) is tucked into some dead
pine trees on Twelvemile’s north slope. As the trail goes along Crook Peak’s east slope there are terrific
views of the Coyote Hills and Hart Mountain to the north and east. The trail descends to the beginnings
of First Swale Creek (WB125, creek water here) just before crossing a gravel road to the Swale Trailhead
(WB126).
The trailhead itself is set back from the main gravel road, and the trail continues north above the First
Swale Creek drainage and soon enters an area that was burned in a fire a few years back, which left
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many blown down trees across the trail. Through this area the
trail tread can be hard to find, but in 2012 the Forest Service had
marked the trail with orange flagging. After crossing two dirt
roads (WB127 and WB128) the trail descends to cross Honey
Creek (WB129), where exposed lava walls create a beautiful little
canyon. After climbing away from the creek to the north, the trail
passes through pine forest regrowth on an old roadbed, and there
is a good view of the Fort Warner site to the southeast (see inset).
The trail winds to the west and passes a marshy area and later
McDowell and Crook
several large rock cairns that lead to the south end of Vee Lake
(WB131, see photo). After traveling around the east side of the lake the trail arrives at the small Vee
Lake Campground (WB132; two free sites, pit toilet).
The ODT takes the brushy two-track road west from Vee Lake (WB133) until just after it crosses Little
Honey Creek and turns north on a decommissioned road (WB135, creek water here). After about a
quarter mile on this old road, the ODT turns west and heads cross-country uphill through thick forest to
reach another overgrown two-track road at the edge of a large meadow (WB137). Heading northwest
around this meadow, the ODT turns north and crosses a small creek (last reliable water until sources
near Colvin Timbers) just before merging with a more defined two-track road at WB138. The ODT takes
this road to the northwest, crosses Forest Road 3615 (WB139), and continues cross-country northnorthwest through pine forest that soon opens up into sage and bunchgrass.
While one may want to head immediately to the
rim for views, the ODT stays just east of the rim
until WB141 to avoid the thick stands of
mahogany. The trail crosses a barbed wire fence
Abert Rim and Lake
at WB140, and does pass through some mahogany
after reaching the rim at WB141, but from there
north the views get better and better. There are
some cairns along this stretch of cross-country.
The ODT crosses another barbed wire fence at
Abert Rim and Lake
WB143, and then reaches a prominent point
(WB144) where there are amazing views of Lake Abert to the north, Hart Mountain to the east, the
Warner Mountains to the south, and the Chewaucan Valley to the west. Here the ODT turns east and
descends gently past a grove of aspen to meet up with a two-track road near Priday Lake (WB145;
warm, semi-clear, marginal water July 2012). The ODT follows this two-track less than a mile to the
north to Colvin Timbers (WB146; see inset).
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A few miles east of First Swale Creek is the location of the second Fort Warner military site on Honey
Creek. The fort was originally located in 1866 on the eastern slope of Hart Mountain, but moved to
the Honey Creek location after severe weather made operating at the original location difficult.
Today the site is on private property, but there is a nice plaque memorializing the fort on the 4wd
road entering the area from the west. (Source: Oregon State University, “History of the Fremont
National Forest”)
Abert Rim rises 2,500 feet above the valley floor and is the longest exposed fault scarp in North
America. Along Abert Rim there are many rock piles that appear to be large, old campfire rings.
These rock piles are actually stone hunting blinds built by Native Americans to conceal the hunter
from wildlife along the rim and plateau.
Trail Tip: Make sure to stay off the private property on the way to the Mill Trailhead—follow the
signs! Fill up your canteens at the top of Crooked Creek. The single-track trail can be easy to lose at
times due to blow-downs and infrequent use—gps and maps are a must. Walking out to Abert Rim is
worth the view!
Nearby Town Information - Lakeview
Lakeview, the county seat, is a full-size town with plenty of services. It’s south of the Oregon Desert
Trail. Here is a sampling.
Post office: 18 S. G St. Lakeview, OR 97630. Mondays-Fridays 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Library: Lake County Library, 513 Center St., www.lakecountylibrary.org or 541-947-6019.
Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturdays
noon-4 p.m.
Chamber of commerce: Lake County Chamber of Commerce, 126 N. E St., www.lakecountychamber.org,
541-947-6040 or toll-free 877-947-6040.
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Lodging:
Hunter’s Hot Spring Resort, 18088 N. Highway 395, 541-947-4242. North of Lakeview.
Hunter’s Hot Springs is a great place to stay the night for a clean room, quick shower and a nice
long soak in their hot spring pool. Located at the north end of town, this resort is about the
closest bed in Lakeview to the ODT.
Executive Inn and Suites, 411 North F Street, 855-499-0001.Wifi internet access.
Lakeview Lodge, 301 North G Street, 541-947-2181. Wifi internet access.
A centrally located nights rest in the heart of Lakeview, the Lakeview Lodge is run by great folks
and is walking distance to any food or supplies that you may need.
Restaurants:
Tall Town Cafe & Bakery, 1028 N. Fourth St., 541-947-3521.
Tall Town Café is one of the only spots to grab a hearty breakfast before heading back out on
the trail. Stop in and say hi to Jody, the owner and cook of the café.
Dinner Bell Café, 930 S. F St. 541-947-5446.
Eagles Nest Food and Spirits, 117 N.E. St., 541-947-4824.
Burger Queen, 109 S F street, 541-947-3677.
If you are looking for a good burger, stop in Burger Queen and grab a station burger and a
shake!
Gas stations:
Shell, 17697 U.S. 395, 541-947-4899.
Chevron Station Lakeview, 715 N. Fourth St., 541-947-3456.
Lakeview Truck Stop, 1206 S. G St., 541-947-2678.
Hunter's RV & Gas, 18020 U.S. 395, north of Lakeview, 541-947-4968.
Stores:
Safeway, 244 N. F St., 541-947-2324. Daily 7 a.m.-11 p.m.
Westside Country Store, 15538 Westside Road, 541-947-3606
Lakeview Locker, 207 N L street, 541-947-3789.
Lakeview locker is not just a place to get a good cut of meat, they are also the only place to get
locally sourced food products and the best beers in town. Check out this great shop located off
the beaten path on L street.
Howards Health Mart and Pharmacy, 101 N F street, 541-947-2141
Open Monday-Friday 8am-6pm, Saturday 9am-5pm, this is the best place in Lakeview to
resupply your first-aid or grab any medical supplies you may need.
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True Values, on the corner of 3rd and F street, 541-947-2210.
This is the best place in town to resupply on any camping gear or to pick up repair supplies.
Centrally located next to Safeway on the main drag through Lakeview.
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