Trail Overview
A short but technical route, FS 23 East is a 3.2 mile shelf road that wraps around the base of Tamarack Mountain. Starting in the east from FS 22, the trail descends into a canyon towards Big Wall Creek. At 2.3 miles, FS 23 East crosses Big Wall Creek before climbing back out of the canyon and ending at an intersection with Wilson Creek Road and FS 23 West. FS 23 East is accessible year-round, and all OHVs (non-street legal) require an Oregon Parks ATV permit.
Difficulty
This trail features consistent rock gardens along a narrow shelf road, but the main challenge is the Big Wall Creek water crossing. In springtime, this crossing can exceed 3 feet in depth, requiring high clearance, quality tires, and confident driving. Weather conditions such as rain and snow can greatly affect the difficulty. A chainsaw or other equipment for clearing fallen trees is highly recommended.
