The southern segment of the Fremont National Recreation Trail #160 follows close to Crooked Creek as it ascends about 7 miles from Mill Trailhead in the west to the South Fork Crooked Creek Trailhead in the east. Total elevation gain is about 2900'. The lower portion of the trail is snow-free from April to November. The upper portion becomes free of snow by mid-June. There are several creek crossings enroute. The trail tread becomes hard to find occasionally when crossing meadows, and the trail may have downed trees across it early in the season. Contact the Lakeview Ranger District office in Lakeview for current accessibility and trail conditions.
Mill Trailhead - Drive north about 11 miles on US 395 from Lakeview, OR. Just past milepost 132 where the road curves north, veer right onto a gravel road (Lake County Road 2-13) signed for "Mill Trailhead". Continue straightfor 0.2 miles, crossing a yellow cattle guard. Continue straight on forest spur road 012 (or NF 3721 on Google Maps) for an additional 1.2 miles to the end of the road and a turn around at the trailhead. There is no potable water nor restrooms at this location. Evidently the site can be used for dispersed camping. See the Crooked Creek hike description in William L. Sullivan's "100 Hikes/ Travel Guide: Eastern Oregon" for a description of the hike from this end.
South Fork Crooked Creek Trailhead - Drive north of Lakeview, OR about 5 miles on US Highway 395. Turn right (east) onto Oregon Highway 140 for about 8 miles to the only major 4-way junction east of the Warner Summit. Turn left onto paved Forest Rd 3615 and drive north uphill for about 6.8 miles, passing Bull Prairie, Mud Creek Forest Camp, Aspen Cabin and the turnoff for Drake Peak Lookout. You'll reach the South Fork Crooked Creek Ttrailhead on the right side of the road at about 10 miles north of OR 140. This is about a 45 minute drive from Lakeview. The trailhead has a vault toilet but no potable water. It provides access to the Fremont National Recreation Trail #160 as it descends Crooked Creek towards the Mill Creek Trailhead off US 395 (about 7.5 miles). One can also access the Crane Mountain Trail #161 which heads west then south around Bull Prairie to the Walker Trailhead on FS Rd 3615. To hike either trail, cross FS Rd 3615 and look for signage indicating where to proceed. Be aware that downed trees may make route finding difficult early in season, so contact the Lakeview Ranger District office in Lakeview, OR for current trail conditions.
Fremont National Recreation Trail #160, Southern Segment (Mill Trailhead to Vee Lake)
Mill Trailhead - USFS info about the trailhead.