Peavy Trailhead is located along the North Fork John Day River near the North Fork John Day Wilderness area. The trailhead has a hitching rail for stock and provides access to Cunningham Cove Trail #1643 and the Peavy Trail #1640. Due to historic wildfires much of the area has large sections of burned timber with some regrowth.
Peavy Trail #1640 follows the North Fork John Day River drainage from the Peavy Cabin area to Columbia Hill, above the headwaters. The trail lies within the North Fork John Day Wilderness following an old roadbed through small grassy openings and burned stands of lodgepole pine and spruce that perished in the 1996 Sloan’s Ridge fire. After two miles, the trail climbs steeply crossing numerous small streams along the way. Just before the top, the trail contours along an open sagebrush hillside above a large meadow where campsites are available.
The Cunningham Cove Trail #1643 crosses the northeast section of the North Fork John Day Wilderness providing access to the Elkhorn Crest Trail from the North Fork John Day River area.
Although most of the trail is very steep and rough, it passes through several leveled clearings and meadows with secluded campsites and broad views of the rolling North Fork John Day country. Most of the length of the trail burned in the Sloan’s Ridge Fire in 1996.
The trail crosses Cunningham Creek several times and contours around a spring to join the Elkhorn Crest Trail (#1611) at Cunningham Saddle. From this point, a view into Crawfish Meadow and out towards Lees and Angell Peaks and Van Patten Butte unfolds.
Directions
From Baker City head north on Highway 30 toward Haines approximately 10 miles; In Haines turn left and follow the Anthony Lake Highway signs (turns into Forest Road 73) for 25 miles to the Anthony Lake Recreation Area; Travel past the Anthony Lakes Ski Area and go about 11.5 miles more on Forest Road 73 to Forest Road 380; Turn left on Forest Road 380 and go about 3 miles to the end of the road (you will pass Peavy Cabin on your right side) to the trailhead.
From La Grande head south on Interstate 84 for 25 mile to exit 285 inNorth Powder, Oregon; In North Powder follow the ski area signs on Highway 237 for 4 miles to Ellis Road; Turn left on Ellis Road and go about 1 mile to the Anthony Lake Highway; Turn right and follow the Anthony Lake Highway (becomes Forest Road 73) for 16 miles to the Anthony Lake Recreation Area; Travel past the Anthony Lakes Ski Area and go about 11.5 miles more on Forest Road 73 to Forest Road 380; Turn left on Forest Road 380 and go about 3 miles to the end of the road (you will pass Peavy Cabin on your right side) to the trailhead.
NOTE: Forest Road 380 road is an unpaved single lane road.
GPS Coordinates
Latitude 44° 54′ 28.8684″ N
Longitude 118° 15′ 47.0016″ W