Snowmobiling Halfway, Oregon
Explore trail on map
#Halfway
#ClearCreekSnopark
#FishLake
#Sugarloaf
Distance
Trailhead Altitude
Max. Altitude
Min. Altitude
Elev. Gain
Elev. Loss
Average Trail Slope
Max. Trail Slope

Trail Description

Take a variety or terrain features, mostly burnt trees, stunning views, highest snowfall totals in the Wallowas, and legal riding up to 8,000' elevation all outside of wilderness and you have the perfect sledneck formula above Halfway, Oregon. There are several access routes, most of which have a few challenges that require advanced riding skills. The snow is so deep at times it is difficult to make it into the good stuff, but once you break out into the burnt high terrain above 6,000 feet you'll find endless possibilities for playing on your snow machine.

Clear Creek Snopark is the official start point for riding. The easiest and longest route is the groomed road to Fish Lake. The primary destination for most is the Clear Creek Warming Shelter in the center of everything. The second story of this cabin is often needed for entry into the shelter because of the height of snow. This cabin has saved lives in the past, so know where it is by using GPS coordinates we provide. When visibility disappears, it is very challenging navigating through the big terrain back to safety.

Trail data mapped by Brian Sather on Apr 5, 2016 · Last update: May 15, 2017

Waypoints

Clear Creek Snopark — Snopark permit required

44.96727, -117.12576

Steep Boondock off road — Not too technical but steep and not much room to turn out.

45.03212, -117.1463

Bridge

44.99785, -117.14273

Clear Creek Cabin

45.07038, -117.16216

Sugarloaf Mountain

45.07819, -117.13099

Russel Mountain Lookout

45.06849, -117.08714

Fish Lake

45.04618, -117.09143

Fish Lake hillclimbs

45.04266, -117.0887

Trinity Play Area

45.02584, -117.071

Avalanche and drifting danger — Groomed trail goes through a wind effected area that is prone to avalanche and difficult travel. You can cut the corner in the Fish Creek drainage with some advanced riding.

45.03942, -117.07822

Sugarloaf Play Area

45.07106, -117.1238

Man Up! Video

45.06779, -117.12124

Video of Trail Creek Entrance

45.02112, -117.14704

Video Fish Lake to Sugarloaf Mt.

45.05836, -117.11434

Table Top Avalanche

45.051488, -117.162927

Photos

Looking into Clear Creek drainage from southern-most end of Table Top. Sugarloaf is the mountain in the distance. Some of the play hills seen from Fish Lake
It is a dangerous but doable drop off Table Top to the east to get more directly to the cabin.The two-story Clear Creek Warming Shelter on a low snow year.
View SW from Sugarloaf Mountain, looking Table Top and the southern Wallowas in the distance (Cornucopia Peak on left, and Red Mountain on right)Example of endless playhills.
Clear Creek drainage