An old mill pond in the heart of the Coast Range about 6 miles, as the crow flies, northeast of Triangle Lake. Sometimes also known as “Hult Reservoir” for the lumber company that used it, the term “mill pond” doesn't do justice to this beautiful little lake.

Location

GPS Location: 44.24131,-123.49536

About 1 1/2 miles south of Junction City on Hwy. 99 turn west on Hwy. 36. and follow it about 20 miles to Horton Rd. If coming from the Coast, take Hwy. 126 east from Florence for about 14 miles to Mapleton. Go straight onto Hwy. 36 at the stop sign and go about 31 miles, past Triangle Lake, to Horton Rd. Take Horton Rd. about 3 3/4 miles to a junction with Lake Creek Rd., near the closed Horton store on the left. Follow Lake Creek Rd. about 3/4 mile to the junction with Mill Pond Rd. near the south end of the Horton Pond. The launch area is about 100 yards further on Lake Creek Rd., near some remains of the lumber operation.

Description

The launch ramp is very primitive, just a steep graded notch in the bank with a sharp angle where it meets the parking lot. In the winter the pond level is lowered about three feet. The photos were taken in January, when the ramp flattens out only a few inched below the water surface. I wouldn't try to launch a boat off a trailer in those conditions. When the pond is full I might launch a light boat by backing the trailer wheels down the ramp, but leaving the tow vehicle completely on the flat parking lot.

Water Character

Horton Pond is a quiet piece of water for relaxing in a boat and enjoying the beautiful surroundings. If you like to fish, there are trout, largemouth bass, sunfish and bullhead catfish in the pond. There are stumps, sunken logs and industrial debris in some of the shallow areas.

The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages Horton Pond. They think the dam is in dangerous condition and may remove it in the nearish future, but there is resistance from users of the Pond.