CRACK IN THE GROUND

 Crack In The Ground Stats:

Distance: 3.6 miles out and back

Elevation Gain: 112 feet

Trailhead elevation: 4,482 feet

Trail high Point: 4,485 feet

Season: all year (avoid winter storms and summer heat)

Best: March – May, September – November

Pass: none needed

GPS Track: March 2021

On the traditional lands of: the Yahooskin people

Directions from Bend:

  • From Bend, drive south on US 97 for 31 miles to a junction with OR 31 just after LaPine.  

  • Turn left and drive 28.8 miles to a sign on the left for Fort Rock and Christmas Valley. You can see Fort Rock on the horizon. If you’re interested in visiting Fort Rock, see this link. It’s worth the side trip!

  • Turn left here and drive 6.2 miles to the town of Fort Rock.

  • Continue through town and follow signs for Christmas Valley. Continue following signs for 26 miles to the small town of Christmas Valley.

  • At the far end of Christmas Valley, turn left at a sign for Crack In The Ground. This junction is 27.5 miles from the Fort Rock junction.

  • Drive 7.1 miles to the unmarked trailhead on the left, complete with pit toilet.

  • The trail departs from the opposite side of the road at a post and signboard.

  • Drivetime from Bend: 130 minutes to Crack in the Ground.

Hike: A fissure in the ground far out in the Oregon Outback, Crack In The Ground is an intriguing and mesmerizing location. Unless you live in Christmas Valley it’s a long drive for everyone, but anyone who loves exploring a unique piece of Oregon’s geological past will love this hike. Everyone loves this hike!

Begin by following the wide dirt trail to a picnic table at the entrance to the Crack. Before you go in, take a look at the other crack on the opposite side of the trail, a dangerous and deep chasm that should not be explored without climbing gear. Follow the obvious trail down into the Crack, which narrows to a few feet wide. Snow lingers here well into spring, and it feels downright cold here for much of the year. You will exit the Crack after only 0.3 mile. Many hikers will want to turn around here, but adventurous hikers can and should continue on a longer hike. The Crack does continue for another 1.5 miles, with trails dipping down into the fissure and back out. Social trails follow the top of the Crack, offering loop possibilities. Both the trail and fissure end (at least the explorable part) end at 1.8 miles. Return the way you came, remembering to duck into the deepest, most popular part of the Crack one more time before you return to the trail.