Nine Mile Ridge Trail

This trail is open to foot and horse traffic only since it is located within the North Fork Umatilla Wilderness. The first 2 miles of the trail are the most strenuous, climbing 1800 feet. On top of Nine Mile Ridge the trail levels out, occasionally dropping into saddles. This is a popular trail with horseback riders. Potable water and vault toilets are available at the Umatilla Forks day use are. Directions from Gibbon: Lower trailhead: 33 miles east of Pendleton on the Umatilla River Road, approx. 11 miles east of Gibbon, continue past the Bar-M Ranch to Corporation Guard Station until you reach the Umatilla Forks day use area: go across the bridge past the campground and take the first left onto Forest Service Road #3200-045 which leads to the Buck Creek Kiwanis Organization Camp. The trail takes off to the left about 100 yards before the end of the 045 road. Limited parking is available at the Buck Creek Trailhead. Directions from Elgin: Upper trailhead: From Highway 204, 8 miles south of Tollgate and 14 miles north of Elgin, turn west on Forest Service Road #31 (Summit Road) 2 miles, turn right on Forest Service Road #3100-320. Take first left onto road #3100-330 for 2 more miles to Shamrock Springs, which is located at the end of the road. Neither the trail nor the trailhead is well marked. The trail begins about 100 yards to the west of Shamrock Springs (not drinking water).