Antler Springs: Fremont National Recreation Tr160
Overall: 6
Aerobic: 6
Technical: 5
Steepness: 6
Flow: 6
Singletrack: 100%
Also referred to as the South Oregon Intertie Trail, the 61mi northern section of the Fremont National Recreation Tr160 extends from Government Harvey Pass to Yamsay Mountain (south of Silver Lake Oregon).
Type
OAB
Length
Avg: 18.5mi
Ascent
Moderate
Elevation Change
TH:6400'
Avg Ascent:2300'
Ascent Incline
8%
Duration
Avg: 2.5hr
Weather
Forecast
NOAA
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USFS
This ride is from the Antler Springs Horse Camp to the Yamsay Mountain summit, and could be extended by starting at the Silver Creek Marsh Campground or the Farmwell Horse Camp. Anything beyond that would require an overnight camp, and considering the remote location, consider taking along a shelter blanket, matches, some extra food and a first aid kit.
The map shows many unmaintained forest roads which could be used as a bail out to the main roads in the area, and are otherwise generally not suitable for vehicles.
Fremont-Winema National Forest FRT #160 page.
Most of this ride is a traverse of knolls along a broad ridgeline extending eastward from Yamsay mountain, with a moderately steep ascent to that upper plateau from the Antler Springs Horse Camp.
The undeveloped Antler springs Horse Camp offers five camping sites (large enough for a horse trailer). Other amenities include a vault toilet, water hand pump, a hitching rail, and corrals.
The Silver Creek Marsh CG has 15 campsites with picnic tables, fire rings, two vault toilets, horse corrals, and potable water.
The Hager Mountain Lookout is available to rent from November 15 to May 15, with a semi-equipped room offering secluded winter accommodations for 4. The rest of the year it is a staffed fire lookout.
Directions: From Silver Lake, Go on SR31 west for 1mi, then left onto CR4-11 (Marsh Road), and continue for 6.6mi to FR27. Go 2.7mi to FR2804 and continue for 2.6mi to FR7645. Go left onto FR7645 and continue for 5.6mi to FR036. Go 1.5mi to FR038 and continue to the FR175 TH. The Silver Creek Marsh CG is on FR27 and so is a more easily accessible TH. View Larger Map. No Map?.
OAB Directions
Yamsay ascent
- TH: From the Antler Springs Horse Camp, cross Silver Creek and ascend 2mi to the Yamsay Mountain plateau, passing the Antler Springs loop at 0.7mi.
- 4.7mi: After passing several knolls, cross the intersection with the unmaintained Blue Buck Tr171. Continue a gradual ascent for 2mi to the large switchback on the eastern flank of Yamsay Mountain.
- 6.7mi: Traverse 1mi to the switchback then ascend to the summit ridgeline, continuing to the summit.
- 9.2mi: Enjoy the view of Mount Shasta, the Fort Rock Basin, and the Cascade Range. Return to the TH. Note: There is an unmaintained XC Ski trail which extends from the summit to the west.
Fremont National Recreational Trail - North
At the edge of the Winter Rim fault block, Fremont Point offers sweeping views of Summer Lake and the valley 2000' below.
The northern segment passes through varied terrain, including open ponderosa pine, alpine meadows, lodgepole pine, mountain mahogany thickets, and colorful rock outcrops.
The Farmwell Horse Camp has five campsites, picnic tables, camp fire rings, one vaulted toilet, horse corrals, and room to maneuver a horse trailer.
Overall this 61mi segment of the Fremont National Recreational Trail involves an ascent of 6300', requiring intermediate climbing and technical skills.
Other segments of the FRT are covered on the Hanan Tr142 and Crane Mountain Trail 161 pages.
Mosquitoes are ferocious in this area until August. Feel free to try the natural repellents, and avoid drinking carbonated drinks prior to riding, but Deet 100 may be the only protection from 'the swarm'. Expect some trailside poison oak and prepare as needed. Try using Tecnu before the ride.
Trail Index
This Ride
Fremont National Recreation Trail 160
Campgrounds
Antler Springs Horse Camp, East Bay Campground, Farmwell Horse Camp, Silver Creek Marsh Campground, Thompson Reservoir Campground,
Trail Rankings
Ranking consistently applied to all of the listed trails.
- Overall Rating: Ride quality and challenge
- Aerobic: Ascent challenge
- Technical Difficulty: Terrain challenge
- Steepness: Average incline
- Flow: Uninterrupted riding
- Elevation Change: Total elevation gain
- Ride Difficulty: Terrain challenge
