Timber Gulch Trail in Oregon

Name:	Timber Gulch
Type:	Out and Back
Trailhead:	Timber Gulch Trailhead
Map:	Download KMZ
Round Trip Length:	1 mile
Time:	1 Hour
Nearest Major City:	Marsing, ID
Best time of year:	May – June
Elevation Gain:	379 ft
Highest Point:	3495 ft

Have you ever had the feeling you might be the first person to explore an area of untouched wilderness? Have you experienced the pioneering notion of being the first person to set eyes upon the landscape in front of you? There are few unexplored areas of this planet left, but I still find myself chasing that feeling. Hiking into Timber Gulch in the Honeycomb Wilderness Near Jordan Valley, Oregon, gave me just a taste of that pathfinder feeling. While not far from the Leslie Gulch Campground, I didn’t see a single soul until I returned to the trailhead.

This section of Leslie Gulch is void of any signs, and the trail is not maintained. It’s not something you could find by accident. You have to know it’s there, which makes it somewhat of a secret, thus giving you the chance to discover Timber Gulch like a true explorer.

Finding the Timber Gulch Trailhead

The hardest part of the whole trail is finding the starting point. Your last chance of civilization is in Marsing, Idaho. After that, it’s more than an hour of dirt road, eventually crossing into Oregon and dipping into Leslie Gulch.

There is no official trailhead for Timber Gulch. You won’t find a parking lot either. The closest thing to the start of the trail is a small dirt pull-out just wide enough for one car. If you didn’t know better, you would only assume it’s a space to give the right of way to oncoming vehicles. Reference the trailhead directions in the trail details at the beginning of this guide.

The Trail (?)

I mapped this hike using on Google Earth, Garmin Basecamp, and a Topographic map. With a general sense of direction, I then walked it very slowly trying to stick to the plan. After finishing this hike, I would place money on the fact that not one person has ever walked the same path here. While its an official trail in the Honeycomb Wilderness, it’s wild nature defines the constantly changing route. You’ll have to follow dry streams, game trails, and previous hikers footprints as you rock hop and bushwhack your way into the belly of Timber Gulch. Luckily there is only one way in and one way out of the ravine so getting lost isn’t a huge concern. There is one thing you should be aware of though. Flash floods are common in this area and if there is any chance of rain in the forecast do not attempt to hike this trail.

From your car, you’ll follow a dry creek into the bush. The rocks will grow larger as you proceed further into Timber Gulch, ultimately becoming big enough to block your path, forcing you to tackle the obstacle by going up and over or by following the deer tracks around the embankment.

After some time spent moving between tall grass and the rocky creek bed, the vegetation will thin out, and a natural pathway will emerge. You’ll know you are on the right track by referencing the cave on your left.

When the abrupt elevation levels off, you have reached the center of Timber Gulch and the end of the trail. You’ll find yourself surrounded by massive, burnt, volcanic rock leaving you with the feeling of being in an ancient amphitheater. The acoustics are surreal. You’ll feel the urge to let out a primal scream to hear the echo. Birds nesting in the rock holes all around you will fill the air with whistling chirps. It’s a refreshing experience.

My Experience

I came to Leslie Gulch to check out two hikes, Juniper Gulch, and Timber Gulch. (It’s a lot of gulches, I know). After fighting the heat of Juniper Gulch the previous day, My dog, Kona, and I decided to get an early start for this hike. One thing I did not take into account was how dark the ravine would be in the morning. Sunlight doesn’t enter the canyon until around 10 am. It made it quite challenging to take pictures of the early parts of the trail. But once the sun started peaking its head above the towering walls, the light slowly poured in like honey filling the gaps in the lava rocks. Not that it needed to be reaffirmed, but it was enjoyable to witness why this area was appropriately named the Honeycomb Wilderness.

---

Trail Tips

• Check the weather forecast. Do not hike if there is any chance of rain.
• Use GPS. Mainly just to find the trailhead
• Wear long pants and a long-sleeved shirt. There is a fair amount of bushwhacking
• Bring Bug & Tick Spray. There are all kinds of creepy-crawlies out here.