Sturgis Trailhead

Getting there

From Applegate, OR, travel south on Upper Applegate Road for 12 miles, (past Applegate Lake and over Carberry Bridge), turn right on to Carberry Creek Road. Proceed for 7 miles before turning left on Forest Road 1020 (Sturgis Fork). Proceed up Forest Road 1020 for 7.5 miles and turn right on Forest Road 1020-600. Follow Forest Road 1020-600 for approximately 0.5 mile to spur on left that enters the Sturgis Fork trailhead. Route to Oregon Caves National Monument: Proceed 0.8 miles up Sturgis Fork Trail #903 to Boundary Trail #1207 junction. Proceed north (right) on the Boundary Trail for 0.2 miles to Mt. Elijah Trail #1206 junction. From this junction in a small meadow, go left and follow the trail grade that eventually begins an uphill climb through a series of switchbacks for approximately 1.0 mile. At the trail junction on the ridge go left and follow the ridge line up to Mount Elijah for spectacular views of the Siskiyou Crest. From Mount Elijah continue west on a continual descent for approximately 2.0 miles to the Oregon Caves National Monument boundary. From this point this is a hiker only trail. Within the Oregon Caves National Monument the trail winds down to a junction with the Big Tree Loop Trail. To go right at this junction will take you by a giant Douglas Fir tree and eventually comes out at Monument Headquarters. The return trip follows the same route except you may want to try the other side of the Big Tree Loop Trail. Total mileage this route, one way, is approximately 4 miles.

Nearby federal campgrounds

• Elk Creek TrailheadRogue River-Siskiyou National Forest2 mi
• Limestone TrailheadRogue River-Siskiyou National Forest3 mi
• Oregon Caves Visitor CenterOregon Caves National Monument & Preserve3 mi
• O'brien Creek Lower TrailheadRogue River-Siskiyou National Forest4 mi
• BOLAN MOUNTAIN LOOKOUTRogue River-Siskiyou National Forest7 mi
• CHINQUAPIN GROUP CAMPGROUNDRogue River-Siskiyou National Forest7 mi