The Ochoco National Forest is located in the Ochoco Mountains in Central Oregon in the United States, north and east of the city of Prineville, location of the national forest headquarters.It encompasses 850,000 acres (3,440 km 2) of rimrock, canyons, geologic oddities, dense pine forests, and high desert terrain, as well as the headwaters of the North Fork Crooked River. Trail was clear of snow and there was a couple patches of mud- but easily walked around. Definitely not super easy, but then again I have asthma and my lungs just loved the uphills. Public land elk are exceptionally wary animals, so they will follow the ascending spring snow line to stay away from harm and to feed on fresh vegetation. Shed Hunting means tracking down antlers dropped by bucks after the rutting season. It takes you miles past it and up another right turn dirt road. Oregon has an organization that promotes ethical practices for the sportOregon Shed Hunters, founded in in 2005 by Rob Tanner and his brother-in-law, Troy Capps. Tumalo Winter Range (Upper Deschutes Unit): Closed to all motor vehicle use Dec. 1 - March 31. The Ochoco Mountains were formed by 300 to 200-million-year-old rock that was slowly uplifted by volcanic eruptions. Antlers are the fastest-growing bone that isnt cancerous or prenatal. Great hike! Depending on the harshness of the recent weather, it doesnt hurt to wait till the end of May or even June to shed hunt. It was cool, not windy at all and just great weather overall! If you don't have chains or sided tires, you don't stand a chance, and will likely end up sideways, or worse. Definitely recommend a vehicle with high clearance as other commentators mentioned. FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS, humans have used shed antlers as raw materials for tools. Got the heart rate up but wasnt too hard for us middle aged folks! Cool temps. One of my favorite trails so far. I do not recommend lowered vehicles. It takes your breath away when you round the bend and see Steins Pillar looming ahead. Trail is well groomed and you cant get lost. Road was good getting up to the trailhead. Prineville, which also has a municipal airport, is located 30 minutes from Bend and 20 minutes from Redmond. Such a fun little hike with a super cool viewpoint! During winter and early spring, big game animals are at their most vulnerable because of lower nutritional levels and body condition, explains Ryan Torland, ODFW district wildlife biologist in John Day. But finding those needles of bone in the haystack of the wild is just as exciting and rewarding. Some public lands are temporarily closed during winter and early spring to provide deer and elk with disturbance-free wintering grounds. Road was good getting up to the trailhead. No snow and amazing views. My 4 year old did it without issues. We went a bit further and went all the way down. One of my favorite trails so far. If your shed hunting location has an average or above normal snowpack, figure out where the snow line was around the first or second week of April and you will find antlers at that elevation. Fun and somewhat easy going hike. i suggest a sturdy vehicle and good tires nothing low theres some gnarly dips and stuff to get through from the gravel road but my subaru did just fine. Perfect for a sunset. Pretty icy right now but was easy with micro spikes. Elk will move down out of the high mountains in early winter when the snow gets too deep and the rifle hunting pressure abates. The road to the trailhead is an ice rink nearly the whole way up. Access road is rough but doable in just about any normal clearance car as long as you take it slow. We went a bit further and went all the way down. Pretty step in some sections and Trail not well maintained, was a beutiful hike all by myself uphill for about three miles a couple spots were a little hard to find the trail went down to main road on the way back if you think your lost follow the horse poop lol enjoyed this hike. Then get out there, explore, stretch your legs, and work on honing in those hunting and glassing skills for fall. Our Tacoma nearly slid off the side of the road several times even with studs, 4lo, and lockers. i suggest a sturdy vehicle and good tires nothing low theres some gnarly dips and stuff to get through from the gravel road but my subaru did just fine. Trailhead was busy on Fourth of July but there was still parking. It has enjoyable views throughout the trail. Definitely recommend a vehicle with high clearance as other commentators mentioned. Campfire Tracker. Fun up and down grade. This property has it all. One of the biggest barriers to entry for new hunters, especially adult-onset hunters, is finding someone to teach them the ropes. Looking for the antlers they shed is a fun activity your whole family can enjoy. Another shed hunting-related bill headed to Gov. No snow and amazing views. You can get to the base of the pillar. Very bright green and lots of elevation up and down but not hard. Not muddy, no ice or snow. Applications now run as low as $10-$12/ac in some cases. Many will be loafing or eating, and its important that they be allowed to rest undisturbed. But the last 2 miles of dirt road to the trailhead are not great - doable but tough in a regular SUV. Give the road a few more weeks to thaw! Shade. Views of the Three Sisters in the distance with outstanding Ponderosa along the way. Your success while shed hunting often depends on the questions you ask yourself. Glassing for sheds and wildlife from a hilltop can be a useful tool in a shed hunters toolkit. If you don't have chains or sided tires, you don't stand a chance, and will likely end up sideways, or worse. Myself and dogs were only one on the trail the whole time. Wildflowers!! No bugs except a tiny wet area in the very beginning but that doesnt really count. Uphill for about a mile, then downhill to get to the pillar with a view point along the way. Trail was wonderful and well maintained. The Ochoco Divide Group Site is part of the Ochoco Divide Campground, 30 minutes from Prineville. One goes to a butte where you can get a glimpse of the Twin Pillars off in the distance. Nice hike! Great hike! Its impossible to predict exactly when a bull elk will shed his antlers, but a couple of factors can help you predict the timing of the drop. The first is the amount of snowfall the previous year. When the animals have moved on, you can return and look for sheds. What to Bring on a Shed Hunt. Started a mile back from the TH as the road was solid packed ice. Only naturally shed antlers, antlers detached from the skull, or a skull split apart can be sold or exchanged. Nearby homes similar to 18990 SE Doubtful Dirt Rd have recently sold between $275K to $465K at an average of $215 per square foot. There are steps and its very helpful on the way up. It was exceptional weather and made a great hike. The trail itself has both packed snow and ice. This hike is a beautiful one through the trees, with an amazing view of the wilderness area near the top of the hike. I love the Mill Creek Wilderness. Super fun hike! Dont follow Apple Maps to the trailhead. I was just about to shoot when I see . Elk are tough to pattern because they seldom follow a daily routine, but they do value a simpler path up and down the mountains, especially during the winter. Nice trail, we just hiked to the first viewpoint of the "Pillar" which reduced the mileage to 2 3/4 miles RT. Excellent hike with beautiful views! Timber, recreation, and the American tradition- love of land. The trail is immaculately maintained and the scenery is beautiful. Terms of Use | We were the only people on the trail on a weekday. Its no secret that deer and elk spook easily. Gated access with new paved road, Power and Natural Gas are on the property with an 80 GPM well. as rules state horns can only be taken during authorized hunting seasons with a valid bighorn sheep tag. The road to the trailhead is an ice rink nearly the whole way up. Would be a 5-star hike for me were it not for the mile or so at the end where you're on the main road. There is a great view of the Pillar on Mill Creek Rd (33) if you drive about a mile past the turnoff for the trailhead. Climbed to the pillar it was great! Great trail, but DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS TRAIL AS OF THE WRITING OF THIS REVIEW 2/11/2022. I recommend going clockwise on this hike to avoid having to go up the steepest inclines. Using a spotting scope or even just binoculars can save a person some time and energy combing the hillsides with their eyes instead of their thighs. Snow is beginning to melt, but refreezing due to elevation. Elk are vulnerable in the early spring after enduring a long, cold winter. Attached 898 sq ft office/bunkhouse offers vaulted ceilings, pelletstove, kitchen . Grid searching a steep, south-facing hillside with your binoculars from an opposing vantage point is an excellent tactic for covering ground while staying anonymous to the mountains inhabitants. I was worried about the road because of previous review, but the gate is located about a mile and half before the actual road to the trail. This winter has been even more impactful on the southeastern part of the state. Jul 3, 2021. Road doable in a passenger vehicle. The Ochoco National Forest and the Crooked River National Grassland are home to many treasured landscapes and activities. Only a little snow left on the trail full of hills perfect leg workout. Great short hike. worth the time.. Had to do a bit of bushwhacking to get in too of the butte itself. Amazing views at the end. Such a fun little hike with a super cool viewpoint! These days, a collector can get around. See page 98-100 of the Oregon Big Game Regulations for details. The trail is immaculately maintained and the scenery is beautiful. My Apple Watch from our car said 4.60 miles total. Pretty step in some sections and Trail not well maintained, was a beutiful hike all by myself uphill for about three miles a couple spots were a little hard to find the trail went down to main road on the way back if you think your lost follow the horse poop lol enjoyed this hike. Youll see the brown trailhead sign for pillars trail. No outhouse at trailhead. There is lookout point at 1.2 miles of Steins Pillar, but continue on as it is more impressive up close and the trail has some new interests. Respect road and area closures. Anything other than a sports car can make it up the road. Fun and somewhat easy going hike. We were the only people on the trail on a weekday. Youll see the brown trailhead sign for pillars trail. And, if youre lucky enough to spot one, mark the antlers location using OnX. There are steps and its very helpful on the way up. Bryant Mt (Klamath Falls Unit): Closed to motor vehicle use Nov. 1 - April 15. This time period also happens to be a critical one for big game. This doesn't mean you'll have an easy hunt. I made it about a mile up and parked off the road and walked to the trailhead. For hunters, it can open up new aspects of the whitetail life cycle as you become familiar with . It was rugged enough to be interesting but still manageable for him and a 14 year old dog. Explore Ochoco Shed/Morel Hunting - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Before bombing over to retrieve it, keep glassing from that vantage point. Utilizing optics to find far-off bucks or bulls up at higher elevations can be a good strategy for shed hunters scouting locations where antlers might drop later in the season. Lots of varieties of flowers and nice scenery. Road was good getting up to the trailhead. March 9, 2012 By: Lindsay Thomas Jr. Elk are bumped in and out of the private land all season. Elk will move down out of the high mountains in early winter when the snow gets too deep and the rifle hunting pressure abates. Trailhead was busy on Fourth of July but there was still parking. Easily marked. Fun small rock scrambling at the end for novices. Great trail. The road to the trailhead was very manageable. Great hike. The signage and directions to the trailhead could have been better. The left abutment of the dam is an alluvial fan and the right abutment is a slide mass consisting of fine earth and rock. Multiple outbuildings including detached garage/shop, greenhouse, & storage shed. Find Prineville, OR land for sale and sold properties. Hey guys welcome back to the channel, just found my first shed of 2022 and its a tank. Scribd is the world's largest social reading and publishing site. No one there. Explore Ochoco Shed/Morel Hunting - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. Wildflowers!! One small water crossing in the beginning. Be patient, those higher-elevation sheds will still be there later in the season. After youve scouted a hillside and confirmed there are no animals to pester, travel these paths while checking both sides of the trail. Finally finding some antlers started the year off good then it has slowed down. Not muddy, no ice or snow. worth the time.. 208-664-8176. License plates from Wyoming, Idaho, Colorado, Montana . Such a fun little hike with a super cool viewpoint! Shed hunting has become so popular that guided week-long "shed hunts" in prime areas can cost $2,500 or more with food and lodging included. Access permission doesnt just apply to private land. Explora Ochoco Shed/Morel Hunting - ve mapas de rutas seleccionadas, instrucciones para llegar as como reseas detalladas y fotos de excursionistas, campistas y amantes de la naturaleza como t. . Photos courtesy of Oregon Shed Hunters. However, late winter and early spring is the toughest time of the year for deer, elk and moose. Helpful but not absolutely necessary. Fun viewpoint with a little elevation! No snow on the trail. Explore Camping Learn More Hiking Learn More Maps & Publications Learn More Recreation Passes Learn More Spotlights Please Don't Pet or Feed Wild Horses Easily marked. ODFW Home | Driving Directions | Photo by Rob Tanner. 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