Spring Basin via Pine Creek Ranch

Head towards the Clarno Unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. Parking is available at the smaller Clarno Arch parking area or the larger parking area at the fossil beds. From the Clarno Arch parking area hike west a short distance (approx. 0.1 mile) to a dirt road which circles behind the Pine Creek ranch. This road is the trail up to Spring Basin. Continue on this road and it will take you in a generally southern direction to the saddle next to Horse Mountain. From here you can continue up Horse Mountain. No real trail to the summit exists but if you keep to the east side of the mountain you should be able to pick a route to get you to the top. A great place for lunch and then explore the rest of Spring Basin as much as you want. With sparse trees hiking cross country is no problem and relatively difficult to get lost (but have a GPS on hand anyway).