Backpack - Oregon Butte

Meet 8:00am at Panjab TH, for parking 1 or more cars and carpooling to arrive approx 9:00am at Teepee TH and begin backpack soon after.  Allow approx 5 minute drive to Panjab TH, from Panjab CG or Tucannon River CG, plus approx 50-60 minutes if  driving from Dayton.  High clearance vehicle recommended for drive between Panjab TH to Teepee TH.

Approx drive time from Seattle/Portland to Dayton ~4-4.5 hours + approx 2 hours to Teepee TH (via Panjab TH/CG or Tucannon CG). 

Driving directions from Dayton to Panjab TH:  From US 12/Main St in Dayton, turn R (across from Seneca Bldg) onto Hartsock Grade/Patit Road (road sign on ground).   After 17 miles, turn L at stop sign to Patit Road, pass Lewis Gulch Road near pavement end and onto good gravel road for approx 3-4 miles, then turn R onto paved Tucannon River Road (becomes FR 47), after 11 miles pass Tucannon CG (on L), where pavement soon ends and continue S on gravel road.  Pass Panjab CG (on L) and drive 2-3 miles further, arriving at Panjab TH (on L).

Driving directions to Teepee TH/CG from Tucannon CG or Panjab TH (gravel/dirt roads):  From Tucannon CG, drive approx 2 mi SW on FR47, to junction (signed Godman Guard Stn 16 mi); or from Panjab TH, drive approx 3 mi N to junction.  Turn at junction toward Godman Guard Stn onto FR 4620 which includes short rough rocky section.  L turn at monument onto Kendall Skyline Drive, pass Midway CG on R, drive 5 miles further, taking L fork onto FR 4608, pass Godman Guard Stn in 1 mile, and drive approx 6 miles to road end at Teepee TH/CG. 

6/22 update: added Oregon Butte Spot-WX 10-day weather forecast (below)

Be sure to read leader notes before submitting leader permission request.

For members only, or guest accompanying a member.

Leader Permission Required (no requests before May 15).  Leader unable to respond to permission requests through 5/21 and 5/25-29 while traveling remotely, and intermittently during early/mid June.

Include responses to following in leader permission request form or supplementary email for leader review:  provide examples of your Mountaineers and private 3+ day moderate to strenuous backpacks (incl mileage, elev gain) during past 24 months including 2500-3000+ feet gain and up to 9-11 mi days, experience and comfort with easy/moderate stream fords (calf to knee depth) and travel over early summer snowfields.   Indicate you will bring microspikes (if snow fields) and trekking poles, and your transportation plans (drive or need ride, carpool interest).  NO MICROSPIKES NEEDED, snow free trails per recent scouting trip.

General description:  circuit and side trails including Panjab  and Turkey Creek trails, Indian Corral, western section of Mt. Misery Highline, Oregon Butte and  nearby short trail to  Danger Point.  All camps have springs or creeks nearby.  Chance of some snow travel and stream crossings (up to calf or knee level).  Leisurely to moderate pace, to accommodate occasional brief stops along trails for enjoyment of the amazing scenery, photos,  and nature.

Enjoy the many wildlife/mammals in W-T Wilderness:  Nearly every mammal species present in the Blue Mountains can be found within the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness including Rocky Mountain elk, bighorn sheep, whitetail and mule deer, black bear, cougar, coyote, pine martens, chipmunks and more.  Birds seen or heard include woodpeckers, sapsuckers,  flycatchers, hummingbirds, bluebirds,  juncos, nuthatch, hermit and varied thrushes, c-b chickadee, W tanager, gray jay, robin, eagles, hawks, owls, more.  Common butterflies sightings include:  Lorquin's Admiral, Swallowtail, Checkerspot, Crescent, Blues, Whites, etc.   See many varieties of interesting insects including bumblebees, large colorful hornets, sphinx/clearwing moths, ladybugs, beetles, etc.  

Oregon Butte Lookout photos/info:  https://www.trailchick.com/wa-state-fire-lookouts/oregon-butte-lookout/

* Leader is monitoring for any adverse issues that occur/forecasted, affecting trip schedule/duration/route:  high winds/gusts (25-30+ mph), wildfires nearby, wildfire smoke (hazardous air quality), and high temps (85-90+ degrees).

Spot WX:  Oregon Butte 10-day Weather Forecast (3-hr intervals for temps, wind & gusts, precip, etc.):  https://spotwx.com/products/grib_index.php?model=gfs_pgrb2_0p25_f&lat=46.11042&lon=-117.67908&tz=America/Los_Angeles

Planned itinerary (Teepee TH): 25-32 mi, approx 3300-4000' gain/loss; route may vary .

Day 1:  TH to Oregon Butte Spring camp 3.1 mi 800' gain and Danger Pt RT 3.8 mi 539' gain/loss.  Oregon Butte lookout side trip for 360 degree views of Blues, Wallowas and Seven Devils Mountains.

Day 2: Oregon Butte Spring  camp to Indian Corral or Clover Spring camp, via Indian Corral (spring nearby). 5-8.7 mi.  Option for two nights at camp, depending on group interest and trail conditions further east of Indian Corral/Clover Spring with BP ending at Panjab (park 1 vehicle here) in lieu of Teepee.

Day 3:  Oregon Butte or Clover Spring camp to Panjab camp, via Indian Corral (spring nearby). 6-11 mi up to 2775' loss.

Day 4: Panjab camp to Teepee camp TH.  5 mi 2500' gain. See day 2 option notes.

Teepee campground/TH high clearance vehicle recommended for limited rough/rocky sections (no old tires).  Panjab Creek bridge is currently out (5/5) with calf-high easy ford (6/12), and Turkey Creek lower crossing  unbridged (dry boots 6/12) and upper Turkey creek (possible ford) - easy/moderate depth fords  may be necessary. 

Leader will update ranger report on trail/snow cover/bridge conditions early to mid-June, and after mid-June scouting trip and a few days before BP.  Leader scouted significant sections of trail during 6/12-18.  As of 6/18, no snow cover and partial trail maintenance (done - Panjab & Turkey Crk lower 3 miles). Maintenance possible by 6/30 - Teepee to Indian Corral, side trails near Oregon Spring (Oregon Butte LO and Smooth Ridge), upper 1 mile Turkey Creek and Indian Corral east on Misery/Diamond Peak trail).  Trail maintenance involves primarily removal or cutting of downed/burnt trees over trail.

Water sources:  primarily springs and some creeks.

Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass required at Forest Service trailheads/camps.  WA Discover Pass required for camping/day use in WT Wooten Wildlife Area sites.

WTA link to trail description & trip reports: https://www.wta.org/go-hiking/hikes/oregon-butte

Recommend accoms:  front country Forest Service camping (ie Panjab or Tucannon CGs near Panjab TH, or Godman near Teepee TH), Lewis & Clark Trail State Park (near Dayton), or WT Wooten Wildlife Area's primitive camps  along Tucannon River Road (N of Tucannon CG), or motel in Dayton area for night prior to backpack.  Bring your water supply if camping at Forest Service or WA Wildlife campgrounds.  Link to Pomeroy RD Forest Service campgrounds & cabins:  https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/umatilla/recarea/?recid=56673

NEW > WNPS plant list/Panjab Creek (plus additional species on other sections of backpack):  https://www.wnps.org/plant-lists/list?Panjab_Creek_2011_Botany_Backpack

TICKS, RATTLESNAKES, COUGAR AND BLACK BEAR SAFETY:  Please take tick precautions, especially during late spring and early summer.   Be alert for rattlesnakes. Black bear and cougar range in this area, so be aware of camp/travel safety guidance and consider bringing bear spray (bear & cougar deterrent).  See links below for bear/cougar safety guidance:   https://kootenaygirlguides.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/bearsandcougars.pdf

https://www.fws.gov/story/2022-06/how-be-bear-aware-black-bear-country

https://www.fws.gov/story/mountain-lion-safety

NOTE:  This backpack is one of the Eastern WA routes  which qualifies towards the Seattle bronze, silver or gold backpack award badge.  Further east and nearby in Asotin area, is the North Fork Asotin River backpack (1-2 nights) including extension on Pinkham Ridge which also qualifies for the backpack badge.

If you have interest and time, consider exploring nearby Palouse Falls State Park or some Blue Mountains' birding gems:  including Touchet and Tucannon River areas as described A Birder's Guide to Washington / Blue Mountains.  See Washington's "Woodpecker Heaven."