Mill Creek Wilderness

The southwest-tending drainage of Mill Creek makes up 85 percent of the Wilderness, with the Marks Creek drainage accounting for the difference. Both creeks are tributaries of Ochoco Creek and home to small trout. The steep, broken ridges that drop into Mill Creek rise to Bingham Prairie in the northwest corner, a virtually flat plateau with open meadows and a lodgepole pine forest. Two eroded volcanic plugs distinguish the northwest-central portion: Twin Pillars, with vertical walls rising 200 dramatic feet above the forest, and 400-foot Steins Pillar, just outside the southwestern boundary. North of Twin Pillars lies rugged, rocky Desolation Canyon, aptly named since its lack of trails discourages most human visitors. In 2000 a lightning-caused wildfire burned over half of the Wilderness. Though much of it burned at high intensity and stand replacement, the area is recovering quickly, and there are still examples of an exemplary climax forest of ponderosa pine, providing habitat for elk, mule deer, bobcats, mountain lions and the occasional black bear. Summer months are usually hot and dry, and snowfall typically blankets the ground from mid-November through March. Four trailheads ramble out into about 18 miles of trails, each next to a small rustic campground: Bingham Springs, White Rock, Whistler Point and Wildcat. From Wildcat Campground, starting at the Twin Pillars South Trailhead, the Twin Pillars Trail climbs past Twin Pillars to Bingham Springs, about eight miles in all, and if you want to stay overnight there are plenty of pleasant campsites near the water. Because of the fire's after-effects and limited trail resources, trail conditions remain primitive. Visitors should expect many downed trees across trails and heavy brush in segments.