Van Patten Lake Trailhead

The Van Patten Lake Trailhead is a small facility located near the "Little Alps" sand shed a short distance from the Elkhorn Sceninc Bway. The lower trailhead by the sand shed is suitable for passenger cars and trucks with trailers. Most trail users park at the lower trailhead and hike up the first 1 mile of the Van Patten Lake Trail (#1634) on Forest Road 131, and then for the next 1/2 mile on the trail to the lake. Athough there is an small upper trailhead at the end of  Forest Road 131, the road is very narrow with large rocks and gullies. It is accessible only by ATV or 4-wheel drive vehicles.

The Van Patten Lake Trail crosses lodgepole pine forest and a grassy slope with summer wildflowers. The climb up Forest Road 131 and on the horse/hiker trail is steep in places. A panoramic view of the North Powder Valley and Wallowa Mountains displays to the east. Van Patten Lake is dammed for irrigation use, and has several campsites available along the western shore.

General Information

From Baker City, OR 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 20 miles to Forest Road 730; ; Turn left on Forest Road 130 and go 0.2 miles up to lower trailhead near the Little Alps sand shed; From the lower trailhead hike about 1 mile up Forest Road 131 to the upper trailhead.

From La Grande, OR head south on Interstate 84 for 25 mile to exit 285 in North 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 13 miles to Forest Road 130; ; Turn left on Forest Road 130 and go 0.2 miles up to lower trailhead near the Little Alps sand shed; From the lower trailhead hike about 1 mile up Forest Road 131 to the upper trailhead.

Advisory: Forest Road 131 from the lower trailhead to the upper trailhead is a very rough, narrow and rocky road ; suitable for 4-wheel drive vehicles only. It is recommended that users in passenger cars and low clearance vehicles park at the lower site near the sand shed, and walk up Forest Road 131 to the upper trailhead.