Cottonwood Canyon

Name: Pinnacles Trail
Elevation Change: AllTrails says 173 feet for an 9.6 mile out and back, RunKeeper logged my elevation change 526 feet in 6.28 miles.  I don't remember it being ANY elevation change, it's very flat, believe AllTrails on this one.
Distance: We ventured in over 3 miles then turned around but it goes on a lot further
Difficulty rating: SUPER EASY.  It's like you're just out for a walk

Because it looks like this outside and has for several weeks, I've got cabin fever and I'm not-so-patiently waiting for sunshine and better weather so I can get outside!  This was the first post-winter hike we did that year.



Cottonwood Canyon State Park is Oregon's newest (one of it's newest?) State Parks.  It's out in the middle of nowhere--just how I like it.  The park is located off of Highway 206 between Condon and Wasco. It used to be a private ranch so in many parts the "trail" is really an old road. It follows the John Day River and is beautiful in its simplicity.

To me, it is just quintessential  Eastern Oregon with the grassy hills, jagged cliffs, the untamed river, and the sagebrush along the route. The John Day River is the 3rd longest undammed river in the contiguous United States.  I don't fish but I know it's a prime area for fishing.  Horses are allowed on the trails as well.  Watch out for rattlesnakes and ticks.  Personally, I wouldn't go in July or August because there's no shade and it gets pretty toasty that time of year.






This is about where we turned around because it was starting to rain a bit.








Near the trailhead, the trail follows the river

It has been two years ago since I've been there and I know they've since added some rustic cabins at the campground.  But the rest is still pretty primitive.  Vault toilets, no showers or anything. All park info recommends you bring all your own water, there's only potable water at the day use area. There is no cell service.

I'm hoping to get back to this park and this trail this year.  It's such an easy hike!  I'd like to try one of the other trails that are out there too, there's several from the main campground and at least one from the day use area.

For more info on the park, here's the official page.