Outbound Collective logo

Backpack the Painted Canyon Loop, Honeycombs Wilderness

Jordan Valley, Oregon

4.3/5
based on 3 reviews

Details

Distance

9.04 miles

Elevation Gain

1237 ft

Route Type

Loop

Description

Added by Dusty Klein

Explore extraordinary and distinctive rock formations and canyons. This hike is an advanced loop for experienced backpackers and allows you to camp by a lake and among spectacular canyons along loop.

The Honeycombs Wilderness Area is one of those top secret spots that backpackers don't like to talk about in fear of it being revealed. The thing that makes this trip special is just that: isolation.

The trailhead is just west of the Oregon/Idaho border but is best to approach from the Idaho side. It is strongly recommended to drive a high clearance vehicle as the road is dirt, bumpy, and slow moving. Also expect to go through makeshift cattle gates along the way (I'm not kidding, this place is OUT there).

  • From Marsing, take Hwy 95 for 21 miles.
  • Turn right and remain on McBride Creek Rd for 8.7 miles.
  • Turn right on Succor Creek Rd and travel for 7 miles.
  • At a fork in the road, hang left and travel for another 7 miles. Begin looking for a cattle trough on your right.
  • At the cattle trough, take a right up the hill (past the trough) and travel the last mile to the end of the unnamed road and the trailhead.

The Painted Canyon Loop begins by heading down Carlton Canyon from the trailhead. Once you've reached Owyhee Lake (6.2 mi), trek north and turn up Painted Canyon and eventually up over Juniper Ridge. The duration of the trip could be anything from a 18-ish mile day hike to a three night backpacking trip. The Honeycombs Wilderness and Painted Canyon are appropriately named…the rock formations and colors along the trail are something you've never seen before.

This loop wouldn't be tagged for Advanced hikers and backpackers for no reason, would it? There are a variety of challenges on the trail and it's crucial to be prepared heading into the trip. Bring a GPS system of some sort. As previously mentioned, this loop is extremely remote and it will help navigate through any doubt. This area also gets very hot as early as March or April. The only source of water is the lake, so plan accordingly and bring extra purification methods. The hike out is a doozy. Incredible, but a doozy.

Let me know in the comments below if you have any questions about the loop, or drop a line about much fun you had on the trip!

Read More

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app
Download GPX File

Features

Camping
Backpacking
Hiking
Lake
Scenic
Wildlife

Backpack the Painted Canyon Loop, Honeycombs Wilderness Reviews

Anyone have a gps track for the painted canyon?

This piece is intense. Bring some major water storage and filtration devices otherwise you will probably die. The rating of "very difficult" is NOT a prank.

Great overnighter with my son down and back up Honeycomb canyon. Good map reading and GPS important because easy to get off course since trail is sketchy at points. Resist temptation to bushwhack unless only option or confident on direction. Try to stay on trail at least until in the canyon. Had an interesting face off with a solitary stallion who finally backed off. Probably not in danger but he was definitely letting us know we were on his turf. Believe warnings about slick mud with little rain. A great hike!!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

Camp at Leslie Gulch

Timber Gulch Trail

Explore Jump Creek Falls

Capture the Sunset Lake Lowell

Celebration Park

Guffey Butte Trail