CURRENT CONDITIONS
52° F
OUTSIDE WALLA WALLA
OUTSIDE WALLA WALLA
Table Springs / Bear Creek Trail
This is a multi-use trail providing access to both the North Fork and South Fork Walla Walla Trails, giving you many options for an extended trip through the Blue Mountains. Make your way to the top and enjoy panoramic views from the top of Table Springs Ridge.
Overview
- Distance:
- Within 1.5 Hours
- ADA:
- No
- Elevation:
- 2,440 - 5,280 feet
- Multi Use:
- Yes
- Seasons:
- Summer, Fall
- Pets:
- Yes
- Motorized Vehicles:
- Yes
- Fees:
- None
- Land Manager:
- Umatilla National Forest (Walla Walla Ranger District)
- Permits:
- None
- Amenities:
- Pack in and pack out. No facilities in the immediate area.
- Distance:
- Within 1.5 Hours
- Seasons:
- Summer, Fall
- Elevation:
- 2,440 - 5,280 feet
- Pets:
- Yes
- Fees:
- None
- Land Manager:
- Umatilla National Forest (Walla Walla Ranger District)
- ADA:
- No
- Multi Use:
- Yes
- Motorized Vehicles:
- Yes
- Permits:
- None
WHAT TO DO
Hiking/ Biking
Table Springs/ Bear Creek Trail (#3223) totals 8.5 miles in length and begins atop Table Springs Ridge at the end of NF-6512 making its way down to connect with both the North Fork Walla Walla Trail (#3222) and South Fork Walla Walla Trail (#3225).
Consult the Forest Service page for agency information.
WHAT TO EXPECT
The upper section of this trail is on Table Springs Ridge, so enjoy panoramic view of the Blue Mountains. There are some rough, loose rock sections along the steep ridge, but after about a mile the trail enters back into the forest and makes its way down to Cub Saddle, which is the junction of the North Fork Walla Walla Trail (#3222) roughly 6 1/2 miles from the upper trailhead. The trail continues downhill from this point via switchbacks for 2 1/4 miles through dense forest until its end at the junction with the South Fork Walla Walla Trail (#3225).
Amenities
Pack in and pack out. No facilities in the immediate area.
Regulations
Motorized vehicles: Class 3 ATV (motorcycles) only. Must have current ORV registration and ATV safety card (motorcycles are a class III ATV). Safety cards are free online if over age 16 and those are good for life. Riders under 16 must take a hands on course. Full details at the Oregon Online ATV Safety Education Course website.
Wildlife Awareness
We are all so fortunate to recreate in the Blue Mountains and Walla Walla Valley. So many opportunities exist to play outside, whether in a national forest, wilderness area, or on a Wild and Scenic River. With these opportunities comes great responsibility to appreciate that we are mere visitors and should all take pride in being good stewards of the wild.
Many animals call these protected places home, including moose, elk, bear, cougar, bobcat, and snakes to name a few. Take precautions to respect their home and understand the appropriate response should an encounter occur.
Additionally, many plant species thrive in the Blue Mountains, so staying on trail is always good practice.
Carry First Aid supplies to better respond to accidents or encounters, and always let others know where the day’s adventure is taking you.
Field Notes
Navigation: Consider downloading the Avenza Map app. This app allows users to upload three maps (or unlimited with a subscription) to use offline. It can track your location offline and overlay GPS data from the phone onto the map. The vehicle use maps (for trails allowing motorized vehicles) are the easiest to use.
Otherwise, Geo Tracker offers similar tracking capabilities and additional details about your adventure. If no service, Geo Tracker will at least show your location. The Blue Mountains and surrounding area offer a remote recreating experience, and knowing your location is paramount to staying safe. Always make sure to bring paper maps. Tell others where your adventure is taking you and when you expect to return.
Pets: In general, pets are allowed on a leash and under control throughout jurisdictions. The only restrictions we have encountered are around swimming areas. As a best practice, be mindful of riparian habitat in general. You never know where a precious spawning area might be located. Pack it in and pack it out applies to your furry friend as well.
Disclaimer: While the Outside Walla Walla team has enjoyed all the adventures listed on this site, we cannot provide real-time conditions & maintenance reports. Extreme weather can change access overnight. Volunteer groups might lose capacity to manage trail systems. We do our best to report that information and update our site accordingly, but please read our Disclaimer (footer) and proceed with any adventure as your comfort level allows.
WHEN TO GO
It may be possible to access the trail late spring depending on the snow level, but summer and fall will most likely be the best time to go. Most people will access this trail via the South Fork Walla Walla Trail (#3225). Please make sure to read our warning above. It is over four miles to gain access from the lower trailhead, so it is unlikely you will see many people on this trail. The upper trailhead is a mile high on a primitive forest road making summer and fall the safe seasons to venture to this part of the forest.
HOW TO GET THERE
To begin at the upper trailhead on Table Springs Ridge, head east on Isaacs Avenue and continue onto Mill Creek Road. Travel on Mill Creek Road for 14 miles and you will come to a junction with Tiger Creek Road (sometimes referred to as Tiger Canyon Road or Tiger Ridge Road). Turn right onto Tiger Creek Road and cross a small bridge before the road begins its ascent. If you miss your turn, you will come to the gate for the Mill Creek Watershed.
Once on Tiger Creek Road, take it 7.5 miles and you will come to a junction of NF-6511 and NF-6512 on your right. Take NF-6512 a little over 6 miles to its end and you will find the trail sign for Table Springs/ Bear Creek Trail. As a note, NF-6512 is a bumpy single lane forest road and may have some overgrown brush crowding the road.
You can also access this trail via the South Fork Walla Walla Trail (#3225) by using the lower trailhead near Harris Park.
WARNING A flood in 2020 severely damaged this trail. While the trail is no longer closed, it is use at your own risk. Our team currently views this route as impassable to reach the junction with the Table Springs Trail. The trail is a little over four miles (passed the cabins) and you will come to the unmarked junction with Table Springs/ Bear Creek Trail that goes uphill to your left.
Please do not solely rely on Google Maps as their route might not always reflect what is maintained.
map
TRAILHEADS
LOWER TRAILHEAD
UPPER TRAILHEAD
DOWNLOAD GUIDE PDF
DOWNLOAD GUIDE PDF
ADDTIONAL INFORMATION
Table Springs / Bear Creek Trail Gallery
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