Malheur N.F.

The East Fork Canyon Creek Trail provides hikers with an opportunity for a shorter, easy one-half day hike, or a longer, multi-day hike. The trail itself is not heavily used and thus offers a chance for peaceful solitude. The trail follows the course of East Fork Canyon Creek uphill through patches of cottonwod and dogwood as well as groves of Ponderosa Pine. From the trailhead (4780'), the trail crosses a rockslide and then descends to the creek before turning uphill. The riparian zone is covered with many different shrubs, wildflowers, grasses and sedges. The trail generally has a gentle grade upwards. At about 2.2 miles hikers will reach Yokum Corrals Camp at 4760'. Continuing another 0.3 miles one reaches the usually dry Tamarack Creek and the intersection of the Tamarack Trail which ascends 1.7 miles to the Joaquin Miller Trail along the ridgetop.

Continuing on the East Fork Canyon Creek Trail, the hiker will reach 10' wide Brookling Creek (4840') in another 0.4 miles. This is a good spot for lunch or a snack before turning back. The distance to this point from the trailhead is 2.9 miles one way. The East Fork Canyon Creek Trail does continue through the forest for another 4.4 miles before ascending to Indian Creek Butte and the ridges on the back side of Canyon Mt.

Proceed south from John Day, OR through Canyon City on US 395 for 9.7miles to County Rd 65(paved). Turn left here and proceed for about 2.9 miles to Forest Rd #6510 (gravel). Turn left onto this road and proceed uphill for 1.6 miles before turning right onto Forest Rd #812. Continue on this road for 2.8 miles to the trailhead.