The Crawfish Basin Trailhead is a small rustic trailhead accessing Crawfish Basin Trail #1612 which enters the northern end of the North Fork John Day Wilderness.
Alert: The road to the site is steep and narrow. High clearance or 4×4 vehicles are recommended.
The Crawfish Basin Trail #1612 crosses the northeast portion of the North Fork John Day Wilderness and displays impressive views of Lakes Lookout, Lees Peak and Angel Peak. The trail also provides an excellent view of the ridges and draws extending to the southwest.
Traveling at 400 feet above Crawfish Meadow to the southwest, you can see the rock and spruce islands far below, as well as Crawfish Creek winding through the meadow. This meadow and a smaller, unnamed pond and meadow above the trail can be reached by short cross-country trips. At Dutch Flat Saddle the trail joins the scenic Elkhorn Crest Trail #1611.
Directions
From Baker City, Oregon, take U.S. Highway 30 to Haines, turn west on County Road 1146, follow the Elkhorn Drive Scenic Byway signs to Anthony Lakes (32 miles). Elkhorn Drive Scenic Byway becomes part of Forest Road 73; Continue on Forest Road 73 past Anthony Lake Ski Area for 3.8 miles to Forest Road 210 and turn left; (Forest Road 210 is across from Forest Road 5185); On Forest Road 210 travel about 2 mile to the top of the ridge overlooking the ski area; Turn right along the ridge and follow road to the road junction; Take the right at the road junction to the trailhead.
Note; the FS 210 road is steep and narrow. It is not suitable for passenger car vehicles, trailers or RVs.
GPS Coordinates
Latitude 44° 56′ 59.4492″ N
Longitude 118° 14′ 47.1840″ W