The Barnhouse, Fry and Keeton Trails are forest hikes on the north-facing slopes of the Ochoco Mountains in southern Wheeler County. Use of the trails appears to be light, with occasional use by mountain bikes, equestrians and hikers, especially those camped at nearby campgrounds. The trails should be accessible (although they may need clearing) by Memorial Day in low snowfall years and by mid-June in higher snowfall years.
We haven't hiked these trails yet. The Barnhouse Trail seems to get some use from campers. There is a possibility of orchids along the trails, so further investigation is needed. There is also a small meadow around the spring and along the stream at the trailhead that bears further investigation, along with several other small streams that cross that trail before one reaches the Fry Creek Trail.
USFS Map for the Barnhouse, Fry and Keeton Trails
Barnhouse Trail #813:
From Prineville, drive east on US Highway 26, crossing Ochoco Divide and pass through Mitchell, OR. From Mitchell, continue east on US 26 for approximately 13.2 miles to a junction with Buck Point Road. Turn right (south) onto paved Buck Point Road and drive uphill to the south. Upon entering the Ochoco National Forest, the road becomes FS Road #12. At approximately 4.5 miles uphill from US 26, turn right (west) into Barnhouse Campground. The trailhead, which provides ample parking, is at the back of the small campground.
From Dayville, OR, drive west on US Highway 26 for approximately 25 miles to the junction with Buck Point Road (FS Road 12). Proceed south along Buck Point Road to the trailhead as above.
A vault toilet and picnic table and several free campsites with fire pits are available in the campground. A Northwest Forest Pass is not required at the trailhead. The Barnhouse Trail #813 gently climbs through conifer forest and forest openings for 2.4 miles to connect with the Fry Trail #816. If one would like a longer hike, one can turn left at that junction and climb uphill along the Fry Trail if one has parked a second vehicle at the Fry Trail trailhead
Fry Trail #816:
From Prineville, drive east on US Highway 26, crossing Ochoco Divide and pass through Mitchell, OR. From Mitchell, continue east on US 26 for approximately 13.2 miles to a junction with Buck Point Road. Turn right (south) onto paved Buck Point Road and drive uphill to the south. Upon entering the Ochoco National Forest, the road becomes FS Road #12. About 7 miles south of US 26, turn right onto FS Road 2630 and drive for about 2.5 miles. The Fry Trailhead will be on your right. Note: The trailhead is on the north side of the road and may be poorly marked. The trailhead is located where Road 2630 crosses Fry Creek..
From Dayville, OR, drive west on US Highway 26 for approximately 25 miles to the junction with Buck Point Road (FS Road 12). Proceed south along Buck Point Road to the trailhead as above.
The Fry Trail trailhead has limited, roadside parking. There are no facilities there. A Northwest Forest Pass is not required at the trailhead.
The Fry Trail descends steeply through forest into the Fry Creek drainage. At one mile, the trail connects with the west end of the Barnhouse Trail #813. Just south of the Barnhouse Trail junction, one can hike west via the Fry Spring Spur Trail #816A to Fry Springs, a perennial, high volume creek. This trail is short but narrow, and infrequently maintained. Continuing downhill on Trail #816, the trail ends at the two mile mark at a junction with the east end of the Keeton Trail #815.
Keeton Trail #815:
From Prineville, drive east on US Highway 26, crossing Ochoco Divide and pass through Mitchell, OR. From Mitchell, continue east on US 26 for approximately 13.2 miles to a junction with Buck Point Road. Turn right (south) onto paved Buck Point Road and drive uphill to the south. Upon entering the Ochoco National Forest, the road becomes FS Road #12. About 7 miles south of US 26, turn right onto FS Road 2630 and drive for about 6 miles. The poorly marked trailhead will be on the right.
From Dayville, OR, drive west on US Highway 26 for approximately 25 miles to the junction with Buck Point Road (FS Road 12). Proceed south along Buck Point Road to the trailhead as above.
The Keeton Trail trailhead has limited, roadside parking. There are no facilities there. A Northwest Forest Pass is not required at the trailhead.
Note: This trail may be difficult to navigate from its western trailhead due to fallen trees and lack of trail maintenance. Consult the recreational staff at the Ochoco National Forest headquarters for current trail status.