Winter has had a very strange start in the Inland Northwest, but our small hardy group decided to make the most of the weird conditions by attempting a January backpack trip into the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness. In a normal winter I don't think this trip would be possible, but due to recent warm weather & overall lack of snowfall we were able to pull this one off.

The road access to the upper Tucannon & Panjab area was closed off for most of 2020 due to a major road washout, the evidence of which is still highly visible along the way in. We encountered zero snow on our way to the trailhead.

We arrived mid-morning on Saturday and hiked in via Panjab Trail. The TH area had patchy ice but no snow, giving way to some snow in the early miles and by around the 3 mile mark we decided to put on snowshoes. The trail was easy to follow until around the 4 mile mark, at which point we ran into consolidated/icy snow that created very difficult conditions. It was basically impossible to kick steps into the frozen surface, so we abandoned the trail and picked the easiest route up for the final 500' of elevation gain. It was bad enough that we decided we would not attempt to exit via the same route, as a fall in the area of the ice would have been very serious.

Once at the top we had difficulty locating the spring at Dusty Camp so decided to continue to Indian Corral and Dunlap Spring. We camped at the edge of the open meadows at Indian Corral and were able to locate and access Dunlap Spring for drinking water. All of Saturday was sunny, calm and gorgeous.

On Sunday morning we awoke to fierce winds and icy/wet snow. The snow quit mid-morning but the sun never came out and the winds continued all day. We decided to attempt to hike to Oregon Butte, as it has been a longtime goal to try to get there in winter. Route finding was moderately difficult as the trail was generally not visible, but the snow averaged only a foot or two deep and was very consolidated. We didn't get to enjoy the panoramic views from Oregon Butte, as it was shrouded in clouds and fog, but it was still wonderful to be able to reach it in January. The last names on the Lookout register were dated from the end of October.

On Monday we packed up and exited via Rattlesnake Trail. This trail is spectacular. I don't know that hiking it in winter would be possible in a normal snow year, but this year isn't normal and we ended up not even needing snowshoes for the last couple miles of the descent. We were bracing ourselves for a cold creek crossing at the end (we'd thought about going in this way on Saturday, but didn't want to start the trek with cold feet). After we reached the crossing and explored upstream a bit, we discovered a log-jam where we were able to cross safely. Probably not recommended if the water was higher or faster, but right now the water level is fairly low. Then we just had to finish it up with a 2 mile road walk back to the starting TH at Panjab.

Great trail for a summer hike with dogs due to the number of creek crossings. Very easy crossings in late July. Started at Panjab TH and made the right turn up Turkey Creek Tr. The trail from the Panjab TR junction is beautiful. Berry bushes, old growth, flowers. Steady but never a strenuous climb up to the Teepee TH.

We continued on to Oregon Butte then along the ridge to the north to meet up with the Panjab Tr to make a loop back down to the Panjab TH.

Plenty of water along the first 3/4 of Turkey Creek, one spring with a built in trough on the Oregon Butte trail, then no water on the ridge (Mt Misery) heading to the Panjab Tr. Next water option is about a mile down Panjab Tr from Mt Misery Tr. 

Thunderstorms came in while we were on the ridge so we jogged most of it to limit our time up there.

What was to be a quick overnight at Indian Corral turned into a day hike-the day went from blue sky and sun to the forecasted violent t-storm as soon as I got to Indian Corral. I should have paid attention:(. 

The trail is in great shape, flowers past prime but still plenty to enjoy, no bugs-not even the oft mentioned ticks, and butterfly everywhere!

So this overnight turned into a full backpack training hike:). Saw wild turkey, a curious coyote, and several deer. All in all a fun day!

Participated in a 4-day WTA work party in the area from a high camp at Indian Corral/Dunlap Spring. Our group of 12 logged out about 4 miles down the Crooked Creek Trail and as far as Oregon Butte to the west and Sheephead Spring to the east along the Mount Misery Trail. Our hike in and out via the Panjab Trail was facilitated by a pack string that transported our gear courtesy of the USFS. 

One evening I mustered up the energy to hike out to Oregon Butte to view the sunset and full moon rising at the same time. Beautiful!

In all we cleared more than 100 trees over 13 miles of trail and did other assorted work. Good times!

A FS employee stated that trails in the area will be getting much attention this summer so get out and enjoy. 

Three cheers for the WTA and their excellent trail work! My partner and I have just returned from our first BCRT (back country response team) trip. If you'd like to know more of what that means look on the volunteer page of the WTA's website.

The Blue Mountains are rugged and dry. Our group spent 4 days camped by Dunlap Spring taking daily forays into the surrounding wilderness. Our goal was to clear trees from the trails (we removed >100) and to have fun (there was plenty).

Camping centrally, as we did, gave us the opportunity to do out-and-back hikes each day doing our trail work. Crooked Creek went down, and down, and down. It's creek bed is narrow and full of lady fern and stream-side flowers. It has two easy creek crossings a few miles along and becomes brushy after several miles.

The Misery Mountain Trail extends eastward through gorgeous, high rolling terrain. At times it roams through high, dry forest, but just as often this trail is through immense open fields, a mile high, with wild flowers brilliantly on display. This trail is a favorite for hunters and equestrians and there are several large camps along the way. Although water is not readily evident, most camps have a spring nearby.

Another favorite hike in this area, which I wasn't able to make this time, is to take the Misery Mountain Trail southbound. From our camp this trail rolls along the ridge line for several miles to the still-manned fire lookout at Oregon Butte.

This remote corner of the state is worth visiting early in the season, while other hiking locations may still be under snow. The flowers are going gangbusters and crowds are virtually nonexistent. We saw ~12 people over 4 days.