MILL CREEK WILDERNESS

WHERE:     From Portland take highway 26 east and follow to Prineville.  Continue on highway 26 for 9 miles to Mill Creek road.  The trailhead is up the road about 10 miles, half of which is paved, by Wildcat campground.  Do not turn at the first sign that points to the right and says "trail".  As far as I can tell that road does not even go by a trail but it was dark when I got there.

THE TRAIL:  The main trail in this very small wilderness goes along Mill Creek.  It is on the windward side of the Ochoco Mountains so it does get a fair amount of rain in the winter but overall these mountains are pretty arid.  This was actually the first Old Growth forest in Oregon that I visited on the central or eastern mountain ranges.  The trail stays along the creek for 3-4 miles before heading up to some great views of the Twin Pillars where you will find rock climbers on nice days.  You can also scramble up the mountains easier than in the wilderness areas west of here making for a better wilderness camping experience.  I saw plenty of wildlife tracks here (Deer, Elk and Cougar) so tread gently and store your food safely.