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A short nature trail that works its way around some clay hills at the park boundary.


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Map Key

0.3

Miles

0.4

KM

91%

Runnable

1,932' 589 m

High

1,896' 578 m

Low

35' 11 m

Up

34' 10 m

Down

5%

Avg Grade (3°)

14%

Max Grade (8°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views

Depending on weather conditions in the winter, one or more areas of John Day Fossil Beds may be closed if the roads are not open or passable.

The "painted hills" are off limits to visitors as they are fragile landscapes and that can be damaged by people running on them.

Runner Notes

This trail is more of a short nature walk, not really great for runners due to its short nature and narrow trail.

Description

The Painted Cove Trail is a short nature trail that passes through some of the colorful geologic features that can be found in the Painted Hills unit of the John Day Fossil Beds National Monument. There is a decent sized parking lot at the trailhead for vehicles of all sizes. You can choose to go straight or take a left and follow the boardwalk around the hills. This description follows the path to the left.

As you leave the parking lot, the trail goes off to the right and follows a boardwalk that works its way around a red and yellow clay hill. There are several signs that speak to the fragile nature of the landscape, urging visitors to stay on the trail and not traipse on the barren slopes that are void of topsoil or plants. The path allows you to see the texture of the hills up close. The clay particles that make up the hill absorb rain water and make it very difficult for plants to draw the water from the ground. Underneath the surface, the hardpan nature of the soil prevents plant roots from penetrating the ground. When combined with the poor nutrient conditions and hot, dry summers of the Painted Hills area, it makes sense that plants have a hard time growing here.

The trail departs the boardwalk and climbs a hill behind the hill. Sinkholes and a watershed can be seen in this area as you climb above the hills you just passed. In the distance, you can see private property that lies outside the park boundary, including a couple of ponds that keep the land irrigated and cattle fed. It's a nice view, and one of the better ones on this trail. The trail then descends along the backside of the hill, which is separated from the hills by a log barrier. The trail passes a Rhyolite Flow (a lava flow), which is the lavender-gray layer off to the right of the trail. A bench sits off to the lefthand side where you can take a break and enjoy the scenery. Passing a sign that talks about the erosion that shaped the area, the trail emerges back at the parking lot. Before jumping in your car, take the opportunity to enjoy the views of the surrounding hills.

Contacts

Shared By:

David Hitchcock

Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 1 vote

#30605

Overall
  3.0 from 1 vote
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Trail Rankings

#1,008

in Oregon

#30,605

Overall
3 Views Last Month
446 Since Nov 25, 2016
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Photos

The trail climbs a small hill and the views open up. You can see the private land just beyond the monument boundary, and the hills that you just traveled by.
Nov 29, 2016 near Fossil, OR
The boardwalk that brings you up close to the hills.
Nov 29, 2016 near Fossil, OR
The Painted Cove area from the parking lot. The yellow and red hills can be explored up close.
Nov 29, 2016 near Fossil, OR
The trail climbs away through the hills and through an area of drainage that has shaped the hills over the years.
Nov 29, 2016 near Fossil, OR
The trail comes back to the boardwalk and parking area, with views of Carroll Rim park and other hills in the distance.
Nov 29, 2016 near Fossil, OR
A view of the backside of the hills comes into view. The trail follows the logs as the trail makes its way back to the parking lot.
Nov 29, 2016 near Fossil, OR

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