Difficulty: Moderate
Length: 9 mile trail (we just hike partway)
Elevation Gain: 350 feet over that first mile. Varies with how far you hike.
Season: June-October
Location: Anthony Lake area (40 minutes from Baker City)
Notes: No bathrooms or water. Spotty cell service.
Dutch Flat is a fun, wooded trail just 6 miles from the base of the highway that leads up to the Anthony Lakes ski area. Its lower elevation makes for easier hiking and a longer season since it doesn't get as much snowfall. This trail continues for 9 miles to Dutch Flat Lake and then another mile up to the Elkhorn Crest Trail. If you have big kids wanting an adventurous backpacking trip, I would recommended starting at the top and having someone pick you up at the bottom. With my four kids (ages 3-10) we hiked for just over a mile and then turned around for a fun 2-mile adventure. The trail is a relatively gradual climb with quite a few flat stretches, making it a great choice for kids!
The views along the way were fantastic!
My kids loved running along the narrow trail through the woods. I'm hoping to come back soon for a trail run.
About 3/4 of a mile in you will hear the creek, but it's not accessible until just over a mile. When you hear the creek again around mile 1.1, look for a little trail off to your left and it has easy access to the creek.
Beautiful fall day!
We did catch several peeks down the valley below along the trail.
Getting There: Follow Anthony Lakes Highway up towards the ski resort. Go 6 miles past Foothill Drive (the gravel road at the base of the mountain) and then turn left onto forest service road 7303. It is marked with a brown trail sign for Dutch Flat. Continue along the gravel road for about 1.5 miles until you reach the trailhead. The gravel road is well maintained and an easy drive for any vehicle including horse trailers. You will pass a couple turnoffs to smaller, rockier forest service roads; just stick to the main road.
Forest service road is marked in yellow and the trailhead is marked with a star.
