North Powder, North Fork (More...)

Unlike much of the rest of the Elkhorns, this drainage did not receive the lasting attention of early prospectors and miners. The river corridor does have, however, a number of pre-1930's mining sites. The primitive road now found paralleling the stream is a portion of a route to early-day mining camps. This road was orginally constructed in 1864 by the Dealy Wagon Road Company as one of the earliest routes across the Elkhorns to Bourne and Sumpter. As this was a difficult route, it was not heavily used and easier alternate routes were constructed elsewhere. Historic references can be found to its early use, including references by Native American travelers.
Recreation use involves hunting, fishing, camping, motorbikes, fourwheel drives or ATV's, hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, and horsepacking. The river is too small, however, for boating. The steepness of the canyon precludes much winter recreation, but some snowmobiling and cross country skiing does occur.