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12.5 miles of hiking • 3750' elevation gain •

Actual mileage 12.5miles, elevation gain 3760ft (corrected with gpsfly)

Lots of distance and elevation on a nice cool day! Not many people on trail for a Sunday. We saw no one from the King's Mt summit all the way back to the Elk Creek Campground! Entire trail was very clean and free of downed trees.

Never went on backside of King's Mt. and found it a bit too steep and exposed for my taste. The rope set out by Mazamas. at the saddle, was a big help though!

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Comments

Nat Turner hearts this trip.
Gg

Nat Turner
June 3, 2012

Almost did this one today.

The grey skies forced me to Bell Creek.

How is the trail, exposure wise? got any pics? I'm gonna do the lap soon.

Mike_chinidere_avatar

Mileage Mike
June 4, 2012

Nat - The loop trail is in generally great shape. However, my personal opinion is that the backside of King's Mt. is way to much exposure for me. Yow will descend very quickly, on the backside, through an eroded switchback. The trail then turns into a roller coaster that hugs the cliffs for a good 4-5+blocks. Finally, you will reach a steep short section that has a rope to help get to a saddle. Descending the saddle there is a very short but significant cliff that you skirt to the left and then climb to the forested area. Sorry about being long winded but my description doesn't really paint a fun place to hike unless you enjoy the adrenaline rush and don't have a fear of heights!

Gg

Nat Turner
June 6, 2012

Thanks for the pics Mike!

We are gonna try this one soon.
Can't be any worse than Ruckel Ridge right?

Mike_chinidere_avatar

Mileage Mike
June 6, 2012

Nat - I bumped into someone on the trail that said this was easy compared to Ruckel Ridge. I've never done Ruckel so I can't speak to it.

There were also 2 other groups that we talked to that either enjoyed or didn't mind the exposed area!

Unfortunately, I have this exposure issue thing I need to work through and this was much more than I wanted to do to in a single stretch. Thankfully, we were careful and had no issues other than the awareness of being on a ledge.

I would still recommend (my opinion) going in the counterclockwise direction from Elk Creek so that the final approach to King's Mt. is uphill!

Be safe and have a great hike!