Jefferson County, Oregon

Set out at the Lower Lake trailhead along trail #717. After only half a mile the trail opens up to Lower Lake, with views of Olallie Butte. The trail winds around the north east side of the lake and you come to a junctions with trail #706. From here take the left onto #706 and continue about .6 o...

Begin at the Lower Lake Campground and take the Lower Lake trailhead. The best direction to hike is counter clockwise, however you can do either.  Continue along Trail #717 and very shortly you come out to Lower Lake featuring Mt. Jefferson as the backdrop. From here keep hiking and you reach yo...

I went for a quick overnighter. The end of August is great for weather, very little bugs, and perfect time to meet and chat with PCT through hikers.The weather was absolutely perfect for night photography and lounging around camp. It's also one of the best views in Oregon if you ask me.If you're ...

From the Breightenbush Lake PCT trailhead (5,600ft Elevation) you hike through a thick forest until you reach an old burn area. This area was burned from a forest fire and has rebirthed lush green plants and bushes to help feed all the animals in the area. After a mile of climbing through the bur...

This hike begins 7.5 miles down Whitewater Road at the Whitewater Trailhead, about 10 miles east of Detroit Lake. The road is bumpy, but can be navigated at slow speeds, even without four-wheel drive. Make sure to fill out a wilderness pass once you arrive at the trailhead. The trail is very wel...

Triangulation Peak, Spire Rock and Boca Cave TH #3372 The trail starts on level ground where you travel east along the top of the ridge. There are multiple trees that have fallen across the trail making the hike quite adventurous. Some trees you'll go over and some you will need to go under. Dep...

Pamelia Lake Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Idanha, Oregon.

After leaving your car at the Pamelia Lake trailhead, hike 2.3 miles along the trail following Pamelia Creek. The Grizzly Peak trailhead will be on the right just before the lake, which you should check out before or after your hike up to Grizzly Peak—there are several campsites around the lake t...

Set out from Pamelia Lake Trailhead through dense old growth forest. You'll see giant cedars, mixed firs and stunning mountain streams carving their way thru very green forest. After a couple miles, you'll reach Pamelia Lake. This is a great place to grab a snack, water, take photos and camp if y...

This loop through the Pamelia Lake Limited Entry Area is one of the premier backpacking trips in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness. The trail offers sustained up-close views of Mount Jefferson and several lookout points provide panoramic views of the western Oregon Cascades. The several large back...

Gold Butte Fire Lookout is a real gem in the Willamette National Forest. At 4618 feet elevation, the nearby Cascade Mountain views are nothing short of spectacular! At the summit, sits a L-4 Ground Structure Type Fire Lookout that was built in1934 to be used as a Fire Lookout. Additionally, durin...

With no officially marked trailhead, this hike begins slightly west of Elk Lake in Marion County. Take Highway 22 to Detroit, OR. East of the bridge over Breitenbush River, turn onto (FR) Forest Road 46, with signs pointing to Breitenbush River. After 4.5 miles turn left at a sign for Elk Lake, a...

This hike explores an off-trail trip to one of my favorite waterfalls in Oregon. To kick off this hike, you'll start at the Marion Lake trailhead. The road to this trailhead is Marion Creek Road at mile point 66.5 off Highway 22. It's 4.3 miles until you reach the parking lot and start your journ...

Coffin Mountain Fire Lookout is a beautiful day hike that takes you to its summit at 5771 feet elevation, covering roughly 1070 feet elevation gain. To get to the Coffin Mt. trailhead from Detroit OR, travel east on Highway 22 for approximately 19.5 miles to Forest Road 11 (Straight Creek Road)....

Timothy Lake is one very large, man-made lake in the heart of Mt. Hood National Forest, and can be considered one of the best summer camping spots in the area. With more than ten campgrounds to choose from, this area can accommodate almost every type of camping possible - everything from cabin re...

Bagby Hot Springs is actually a set of amazing bathhouses nestled in the forest outside of Estacada. They are one of Oregon’s most poplar hot springs, and for good reason. The hike into the hot springs is easy and quite scenic. You’ll cross a bridge over Nohorn Creek and follow the Hot Springs Fo...