1. Colvin Timbers

Suggested Citation: Kerr, Andy. 2000. Oregon Desert Guide: 70 Hikes. Seattle: The Mountaineers Books. p. 96.

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What to Expect: Camping in an isolated pine forest and dangling your tootsies over the largest continuous fault scarp in North America

Distance: 20.4 miles round trip

Elevation Range: 6,320-6,620 feet

Drinking Water: Some

Best Times: Summer, fall

USGS 7.5' Maps: Lake Abert South, Little Honey Creek

Oregon Map Starting Point: Lakeview

Six miles north of Lakeview on US 395/OR 140, turn east where OR 140 leaves US 395. After 9 miles turn north on FS Road 3615. Go approximately 24 miles to the pavement end at the national forest boundary and park.

Hike northerly 5.8 miles (Little Honey Creek quad), first on an old way, then on a jeep trail to Colvin Timbers (Lake Abert South quad), a 600-acre grove of ponderosa pine (the most northerly in the Warner Mountains). Tank up at a BLM- developed spring about halfway between your vehicle and Colvin Timbers camp. From the shady forest, hike northwestward 2 miles over very rocky terrain to the rim at the head of Juniper Creek.

Excellent views of Lake Abert, Winter Rim, Summer Lake, Gearhart Moun- tain, and more are available. Walk north 2.4 miles along the rim, noting the vegetation change until it is just a few junipers at Poison Creek. It is tree-free to the north. Look for bighorn sheep on and below the rim.

Return as you came.