Our Have Dog, Will Travel series continues this week with a review of Elk Mountain Trail in Tillamook State Forest.

Overview

The Elk Mountain Trail is a very steep 3 mile (round-trip) hike up to the top of Elk Mountain. The trail is narrow and has almost no switchbacks as it rises 1,900 feet in less than 1.5 miles. On a clear day, you can see views of Mt. Hood, Mount St. Helens and the end of the Coastal Range mountains as they reach the ocean. If you're up to the challenge, this hike will provide you and your dogs plenty of exercise.

Elk Mountain Summit

We parked at the Elk Creek Trailhead just after Mile Post 28 on Hwy 6 heading towards Tillamook. The trailhead serves three different trails. Of the three trails served by this trailhead, only the Elk Mountain Trail is open only to hikers (the other two are less strenuous and open to hikers as well as mountain bikers). After walking past the Elk Creek campground we reached the beginning of our hike.

The trail starts up a steep wooded slope and doesn't relent until you reach the false summit near the top of the hike. We had an unseasonably warm and sunny day to do our hike which made hiking on the trail much easier and safer than had we attempted it when it was wet.

Although the trail was narrow and there were only a few places that required some small amounts of scrambling and coaxing of Stella and Tuesday. the trail leaves Elk Creek immediately once it begins so we brought plenty of water for the dogs on the hike. In the first quarter mile of the hike they had drank an entire liter of water between the two of them.

There were a number of cars parked at the trailhead when we arrived, but along the hiker we saw very few groups of people.

Getting there

The Elk Creek Trailhead is located just West of mile Post 28 on Hwy 6 heading towards Tillamook. The trailhead serves three different trails. To reach the Elk Mountain Trail walk from the parking area along the gravel road past the campground. The sign for the Elk Mountain Trail sits at the base of the hill next to Elk Creek.

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Special Considerations

• Bring lots of water. This trail is very steep and there are no water sources anywhere along the hike. There is a water pump located in the campground but there is no water along the hike.
• Weather conditions can change quickly near the coast. Bring extra layers and review the weather forecast before heading out.
• Bring a leash for your dog for the beginning of the hike. In the winter you will need to park very close to the highway.

Pictures from the hike

Mt. Hood from Elk Mountain Summit

Tuesday on the summit

Stella cooling off on Elk Creek

Additional Information

• Oregon Department of Forestry
• Forest Grove District Office
• 801 Gales Creek Road Forest Grove, OR 97116
• (503) 357-2191
• Recorded Recreation Hotline (503) 359-7402

Tillamook State Forest