Peak 1443 Trail

Dogs Leashed

Features Birding · Views · Wildlife

This is a faint trail that hasn't been formalized yet (but per park rules is completely allowed) so minimum route finding is required.

This faint, semi-formal trail starts from the Sage Knob Trail through a large, old wooden gate frame. Initially the singletrack trail is very clear to follow but steep as it heads north and then curves to the west to mount the main ridge leading to Peak 1443. Here an old road descends into the canyon - be sure to stay along the ridge line and follow the now much fainter trail. There may be orange flagging to follow from here up.

The trail generally follows the ridge aside from working it's way around some of the larger rock outcroppings. Try to stay on the most beaten path and you'll keep the route up a fairly easy class 1 trail. Near the top the trail and flagging heads slightly more east, away from the main ridge, to dodge the largest rock outcropping and provide a bit more shelter from the wind.

Near the very top the trail fades to near nothing, but just head up the hill to the broad summit. From here you can either return the way you came or pick up the fence-line trail to start the loop to Gooseneck and on to the Pinnacles Trail (this requires more route finding).

From the summit you'll have excellent views of the canyon and John Day River below, as well as distant views of Hood and Adams through a mix of wind turbines and power lines.