From John Day, take US Highway 395 south for approximately 2 miles. Turn left onto County road 52 (Marysville Road) in Canyon City. Travel uphill on the paved road approximately 2 miles, then take a right on Gardner Ranch Lane (County road 77) for approximately 1/4 mile, then take another right on Canyon Mountain Trail 218 and follow the road up another 2 full miles to a short, unmarked spur road on the left that – within a hundred yards – terminates at the trailhead. If you miss the spur road junction, the landscape will begin to drop off severely on the right until the main road ends 1/4 mile beyond at the Iron King Mine.