South Fork Burnt River

The South Fork Burnt River is a tributary of the Burnt River in Baker County in the U.S. state of Oregon.[2] Its headwaters lie in the Monument Rock Wilderness and the Wallowa–Whitman National Forest of the Blue Mountains. It flows generally northeast for about to meet the main stem at Unity Reservoir, north of Unity.[5] The river, about 12 miles (19 km) long, crosses under U.S. Route 26 about 3 miles (5 km) northwest of Unity.[4]

South Fork Burnt River
Location of the mouth of the South Fork Burnt River in Oregon
EtymologyEither burned timber along its banks or burned-looking rocks along its course[1]
Location
CountryUnited States
StateOregon
CountyBaker
Physical characteristics
SourceBlue Mountains
 • locationMonument Rock Wilderness, Wallowa–Whitman National Forest
 • coordinates44°20′35″N 118°23′40″W[2]
 • elevation6,825 ft (2,080 m)[3]
MouthBurnt River
 • location
Unity Reservoir, north of Unity
 • coordinates
44°29′23″N 118°12′04″W[2]
 • elevation
3,825 ft (1,166 m)[2]
Length12 mi (19 km)[4]

Recreation

The spring-fed river, with steady flow and cool temperatures, supports a healthy population of rainbow trout. Trout fishing is generally good along the main stem of the South Fork as well as on Elk Creek, a tributary, and Last Chance Creek,[4] a tributary of Elk Creek.[5]

The South Fork Campground, along the creek 7 miles (11 km) from Unity, has 12 sites for tents or trailers and 2 sites for tents only. The campground is along Forest Road 6005 near the confluence of Rail Gulch and the South Fork. Amenities include vault toilets and picnic tables.[6]

Further upstream is Stevens Campground, along Forest Road 6005 about 8 miles (13 km) from Unity, with seven sites for tents. Amenities include picnic tables and toilets.[7]

Also along the South Fork is the Elk Creek Campground, about 9 miles (14 km) from Unity. It has 10 campsites along Forest Road 6005 near the confluence of Elk Creek with the South Fork. Amenities include vault toilets and picnic sites.[8]

The Blue Mountain/South Fork OHV trails are a 56-mile (90 km) complex of trails for hikers, bikers, and horse riders, as well as OHVs up to 50 inches (130 cm) wide.[9] The south end of the South Fork OHV trail is near South Fork Campground.[6] The trail system extends north toward Sumpter.[9]

Tributaries

Listed from source to mouth, the named tributaries of the South Fork Burnt River are Lookout Creek, which enters from the left; Bear Creek, right; Spring and Elk creeks and Rail Gulch, left; Stevens, Barney, and Amelia creeks, right; Steep Creek, left; Bullrun Creek, right, and Pole Creek and Powell Gulch, both from the left.[5]

See also

References
  1. McArthur, Lewis A.; McArthur, Lewis L. (2003) [1928]. Oregon Geographic Names (7th ed.). Portland: Oregon Historical Society Press. p. 129. ISBN 0-87595-277-1.
  2. "South Fork Burnt River". Geographic Names Information System (GNIS). United States Geological Survey (USGS). November 28, 1980. Retrieved December 12, 2015.
  3. Source elevation derived from Google Earth search using GNIS source coordinates.
  4. Sheehan, Madelynne Diness (2005). Fishing in Oregon: The Complete Oregon Fishing Guide (10th ed.). Scappoose, Oregon: Flying Pencil Publications. p. 260. ISBN 978-0-916473-15-0.
  5. "United States Topographic Map". United States Geological Survey. Retrieved December 12, 2015 – via ACME Mapper.
  6. "South Fork Campground". United States Forest Service. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
  7. "Stevens Campground". United States Forest Service. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  8. "Elk Creek Campground". United States Forest Service. Retrieved December 14, 2015.
  9. "Blue Mountain/South Fork OHV Trails". United States Forest Service. Retrieved December 13, 2015.
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