{"id":18513,"date":"2019-06-19T21:09:28","date_gmt":"2019-06-20T04:09:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trailkeepersoforegon.org\/?p=18513"},"modified":"2019-06-19T21:16:13","modified_gmt":"2019-06-20T04:16:13","slug":"hike-of-the-month-south-fork-walla-walla-river","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trailkeepersoforegon.org\/hike-of-the-month-south-fork-walla-walla-river\/","title":{"rendered":"Hike of the Month: South Fork Walla Walla River"},"content":{"rendered":"
By John Sparks, Volunteer, Trailkeepers of Oregon<\/em><\/p>\n Distance: up to 10.6 miles \/ Elevation gain: up to 2,405 feet<\/span><\/p>\n For an early summer excursion in Oregon\u2019s northern Blue Mountains, try the well-graded Rough Fork Trail, which descends 1,800 feet in three and a half miles to join the 18.5-mile South Fork Walla Walla River Trail in the middle of its secluded canyon. <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n This is an isolated outing on open grassy slopes and through a lush river bottom that provides views of the rugged roadless territory below the canyon rim. Wildflowers will be at their prime in June, and you can extend your stay by backpacking farther up or down the canyon. The\u00a0Rough Fork Trailhead is near the Umatilla National Forest’s Mottet Campground<\/a>, from which you can stage your trip.<\/span><\/p>\n