. Information: Crescent Ranger District Office, (541) 433-3200. A canoe would be a better choice, but on a solo trip, I opted for easier traveling. Area. For reference, a Subaru Crosstrek barely made it 3 years ago. into Phillips Lake, which is a popular boating and fishing spot. The Climber's Trail is roughly 1 mile and 2000' gain over talus/scree to the false summit, then a short walk/scramble (~.25mi) to the true summit. Follow this paved road half a mile and then turn right onto FSR 21. Thankfully James' Subaru Outback handled it without problems (we went slow, it was brand spanking new). Detroit, OR 97342 Sweet Home, OR 97386 Crystal-clear water shimmers sapphire blue in the shadow of Diamond Peak at a lake that isnt more crowded due to the awful drive to reach it,and thick mosquitoes present until September. Granite, the Byway turns north onto Forest Road 73. At a Glance Activities Bicycling Hiking Horse Riding & Camping Alerts & Warnings Willamette NF Fire Closures View All Forest Alerts Recreation Areas Due to our late start there was less lounging time at the cabin (Hoodoo's Crescent Lake Resort) than we wanted, but we were still able to enjoy some fishing, beer, and a nice dinner. Smoke will likely obscure some of your views this summer, but normally, you can see the Three Sisters, Diamond Peak and Mount Thielsen at the top. the business district was destroyed by fire in 1917, gold was extracted Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 56 min to complete. Beyond Phillips Lake, a side road leads to the Sumpter Valley Railroad to a downhill ski resort that's served up great powder since 1933. Directions: From Oakridge, continue east on Highway 58 for 1.8 miles to a Hills Creek Dam sign between mileposts 37 and 38. Download the Pacific Northwest Forest Service Recreation App! The only campground on Summit Lake. Oregon, United States, North America . United States government. This trailhead provides access for the Pacific Crest Trail at Summit Lake. **If you Google directions to Summit Lake DO NOT take the suggested route even if Google says it is faster. Shortly after hitting timberline you will come to a very obvious spot where the rocky/boulder section starts. Ten miles down the road, gold was discovered in Bull Run Creek in 1862, and the town of Granite sprang up. It connects the Cowhorn Creek Trail to Summit Lake. Summit Lake is home to a very small campground with three closely spaced sites with a bathroom and boat launch. The Climber's Trail at first isn't well defined but multiple paths can be easily made (just point yourself "up" to the high point). I opted for the longer route, which follows paved FSR 21 most of the way and includes less time on awful FSR 6010. Then follow signs for Timpanogas Lake 9.3 miles to the campground. Continue on for approximately 31 miles take a left on Forest Road 2154 and continue for 4 miles. Leaving Sumpter, the Byway climbs to take in dramatic views of the Elkhorns, eventually reaching Blue Springs Summit (5,864 ft.), a popular snowmobiling venue. passengers to the town of Sumpter; the Dodger runs four times daily on gold and some legendary characters like Skedaddle Smith, One-eyed Dick, around the rock spires, the only slightly sketchy part of this whole hike. Theres something unique about camping on an island, and Summit Lake is a near-perfect place to experience it. Follow this paved road 32 miles. For details, see this story on the best routes up Diamond Peak. Joseph, OR 97846 Turn left at a very faint sign for Summit Lake and FSR 6010 and follow this awful rutted road a few short miles to Summit Lake Campground. There are probably better ways to spend a day, but I cant think of any. Diamond Peak. The campground, then, is a great choice if one of the three spots is available when you arrive. It is the primary route between the Willamette Valley and south-central Oregon, including the Klamath Falls region. Follow this road and signs for Summit Lake about 6.5 miles to a major (but barely marked) junction. Ashland is one of the top free campsites in Oregon. Mosquitoes are usually scarce by mid-August, and September is a safer bet. United States. Gorgeous Cascade lake. Follow this road and signs for Summit Lake about 6.5 miles to a major (but barely marked) junction. Turn off PCT to the unmarked "Climber's Trail" to the false summit then summit. There are dispersed sites around the lake. From Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. It's not completelyfree of flames and smoke, but it doesn't have massive closures in place. Though Joined: Tue Oct 04, 2005 9:15 pm. The TripCheck website provides roadside camera images and detailed information about Oregon road traffic congestion, incidents, weather conditions, services and commercial vehicle restrictions and registration. This made the trip an easier sell to Alex who enjoys his creature comforts (running water, cold beer) and facilitated logistics overall. Backcountry sites. Total of 76.4 miles via Crescent Lake and NF-398 which requires a high clearance vehicle. Address Forest Road 6010 Crescent, Oregon GPS: 43.462227, -122.133168 Elevation: 5564' Get Directions Management Public - Forest Service (Official) Website The road in is Dirt. The trail passes through common alpine vegetation of mountain hemlock, lodgepole pine, western white pine, Pacific silver fir and whitebark pine. Even with these high clearance cars the 6 miles will likely take about 45 minutes to 1 hour to navigate. values, and is a popular destination for outdoor people. The Elkhorn Drive Perhaps predictably, the sites are all first-come, first-served. As well as being the third tallest mountain in the state of Oregon. continues west, past fields of dredge tailings (the earth disturbed by Official websites use .gov A .gov Oregon Department of Transportation. Navigating the way down with the GPS track that you recorded when going up will be very helpful. And nows a good timeto explore the iconic mountain lakes and trails near Oakridge. While the mines in the Elkhorn By clicking Agree and join Hipcamp, I agree to Hipcamps. Backtrack to trailhead/car, drive to Crescent Lake, home. Fire restrictions stillwerein place, so I was without a campfire, which is just as well since Id need to haul out wood from the mainland. made by early Chinese gold miners along Granite Creek, as they set aside The 7,664-foot mountain is one of the least-climbed peaks in the Cascade Range. Windy Lakes: A trail visits multiple mountain lakes from a route that begins near Summit Lake off awful FSR 398. Follow this road and signs for Summit Lake about 6.5 miles to a major (but barely marked) junction. It can be done as a day trip but makes for a great overnighter for families/kids or those wanting a less strenuous backpacking experience (especially if you only plan to head to Marie/Rockpile Lakes). Your personal car/vehicle situation will largely determine this. They said Summit Lake gets a fair amount of visitors on August and September weekendsbut stays mostly quiet mid-week. by Bubba Suess Fri Jun 22, 2012 3:25 am, Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests. Oregon Route 58 is of high importance as a freight corridor. fisheries, water quality, scenery, recreation, wildlife, and historical Close to adventures. Summit Lake is located in a sort of no mans land on the southern border of the Diamond Peak Wilderness, and two routes provide access. You can tour the city's downtown to see fine examples of turn-of-the-century Thielsen and Summit Lake where you came from. While this poses some challenges for planning, it also protects this gorgeous and sensitive area from becoming too overrun. Diamond Peak sits within the Diamond Peak Wilderness which is part of Willamette National Forest. No deviations from scouting report. Copyright 2023. Alex, his first trip of the type, was incredulous that a "pile of rocks which would easily be knocked over by an animal" would serve as our navigational guide. and the town of Granite sprang up. At a junction turn, NF-398 at a sign for Summit Lake. Situated in Kalmath National Forest right on Oregon's southern border, this remote dispersed campground is close to the Pacific Crest Trail and Mt. Unknown; no water crossings, camp side lake was our source and seemed at average water level. It serves as a trailhead for both the Summit Lake and North Powder River Trails. 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, Minnesota. From (Cutting wood from the islands few trees would not be responsible). The 6 miles of road NF-398 from Crescent Lake to Summit Lake is some of the roughest road you will ever experience in Oregon and the road gets worse every single year. In From a parking area just below the summit of Steens Mountain, this 2.5-mile hike (1.25 each way) descends 1200 feet into a cirque at the head of Wildhorse Canyon to the shores of Wildhorse Lake. To begin your 770 for another 2 miles. An official website of the We left camp about 11:30 am (didn't note the time we arrived Rockpile Lake) heading East on the short Marie Lake Trail back to the PCT where we would turn North to continue towards the Climber's Trail and Diamond Peak. The experience here is classic remote car camping. It is the youngest, geologically speaking having the most recent volcanic activity of the Three Sisters. The higher you get the looser and more sand-like the terrain becomes. Bachelor in the distance to the north. It is not a bad climb if ridden from north to south either. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock (541) 383-5300. The roads are mostly paved to four campgrounds. skiing and snowmobiling in winter. Follow the road along the ridge, passing by a few scattered oaks and willows. It wasnt much less than an acre in size but it had character. From there, explore the lake on day-trips via canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment? Share sensitive information only We had a successful summit, everything went to plan, and we all enjoyed ourselves. Map. Deschutes National Forest. Instead, the pure, clear water you see in Summit Lake comes straight from years of Cascade snowmelt and rain, and in turn this lake becomes a primary source for the much larger . Once you get back down to the PCT it is easy cruising though. Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. 0:35 - Gate just before Adamsville Avenue. This route may be longer, and it still has very rough sections, but much less of them. website belongs to an official government organization in the The trail takes you through a beautiful forest and past many small ponds. on official, secure websites. Travel east from Oakridge, Oregon for 2 miles and turn right on Kitson Springs County Road (Forest Road 23), continue for 0.5 miles and turn right on Forest Road 21 (Diamond Drive). "Money itself is worth far more than anything you could possibly buy with it. He is the author of the book Hiking Southern Oregon and can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Its a big area, and options abound. United States government. After the less-than-enjoyable drive, I arrived at Summit Lake and got my first view. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. ( Know as well that all the roads around Summit Lake are primitive at best, and youll want a high-clearance, four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicle to negotiate them. 541-523-6391, 3502 Highway 30 Mosquitoes. Boat ramp. The "Wild and Scenic" John Day River is recognized for outstanding All Rights Reserved. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. Many are large enough for a tent or two and are ideal spots for camping or day use so long as youve made responsible plans for waste disposal. Ashland. The best times to visit this trail are June through November. Leg 2 (Camp to Climber's Trail) is another ~ 2 miles/+700' along the PCT. Turn left on gravel Road 15 for 10. . This is a popular trail for hiking, but you can still enjoy some solitude during quieter times of day. Nighttime was utterly silent on Berry Island, and, in a small way, I missed the conversations I often have with follow campers. camp at a number of islands and peninsulas, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. This 106-mile loop is a voyage through gold booms, ghost towns and the Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation." (view looking south of the false summit from the spine), (view to the north from Diamond Peak summit). Once you crest the boulder field you will be at Diamond Peak's false summit. Summit Lake Campground is not operated by Hipcamp and can only be booked externally. If that hike seems a little much, you can always stop at Marie and Rockpile Lakes, or explore Timpanogas Lake a little farther down the road. the town had 15 saloons, three newspapers, and an opera house. The rest of the hike would definitely be rated easy to moderate. Background on Diamond Peak can be found at Summit Posts' very helpfulpage. Photos. People do catch brook trout here, but theyre small and a challenge to hook given the clear water. Backcountry travel ethics and Leave No Trace principles apply, of course. You may pick up your race packet on Friday at Summit Christian College anytime between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Saturday, May 6th. Mosquitoes. Try visiting in June, July or early August and youll get massacred by bloodthirsty hoards of tiny vampires that seem to laugh out loud if you try mosquito repellant. They might be covered by smoke during a trip, but that will depend on which way the wind is blowing. Print/PDF map. The route across the "saddle" to the true summit was straightforward with minimal elevation gain, easy Class I/II terrain but one particular gendarme resulted in a short stretch of Class III scrambling. Registration 6:00 to 7:15 a.m. All Runners Pistol Start at 7:30 a.m. All Walkers Pistol Start at 7:31 a.m. An official website of the It has great flow when ridden from south to north. The weather continued to be perfect so we didn't feel rushed. ontoUS Forest Service Rd 21 then almost immediately turn, ontoNF-21. trout; a half-mile long paved trail offers river access. Summit Lake also makes a good starting point to hike into the Diamond Peak Wilderness. 370). Diamond Peak Via Pacific Crest Trail. They are basalt boulders capped with enough topsoil to support the native flora, each its own little Cascade terrain. View Diamond Peak, southern route via Crescent/Summit Lakes Image Gallery - 14 Images. Its about protecting what sustains us. website belongs to an official government organization in the We were hoping that the trail in to Summit Lake off of US Forest Service road 2154 was open so we road our bikes up there today. I brought my backpacking gear, an inflatable kayak and made sure to include a shovel. The summit is fairly large and flat and during non-windy conditions (which is rare) you could even spend the night up there and witness a life changing sunset and sunrise. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure. At its widest point, near Eagleville, the Warners are only 15 miles wide. The lake rewards every effort, and the campground provides some of the more open camping areas around the lake. Best Time to Visit: Summer and Fall; Between Granite ) or https:// means you've safely 2023 Hipcamp, Inc. All rights reserved. Summit Lake, southeast of Oakridge, is one of the great secret places in the Cascade Mountains not just because of its islands, but also because of the clear water and views of Diamond Peak. Turn right for half a mile. Summit Lake Campground is a hidden treasure waiting to be found with only three campsites and a rocky access road that might intimidate many campers (the Forest Service recommends a high-clearance 4x4 vehicle to tackle this thing)! The last 5 miles of Forest Service 7301 road past the Forest Service boundaryare recommended for high clearance vehicles only. the Mowich Look Wildlife Viewing Area is a good place to spy a variety Because the rocks are loose you have to watch your footing carefully. Further, and rather unfortunately, many of these pullouts have a close perimeter of human waste left by campers too lazy to bring a shovel. peaks in view here form the backdrop for the Anthony Lakes Recreation Early start because we have a 6.5 mile drive to the trailhead on an unimproved forest service road (FR398/6010 from Crescent Lake west towards Summit Lake/PCT); none of us had driven that route or type of road before and weren't sure if a Subaru Outback would handle it (it would be fine). Would you recommend Summit Lake Campground? Personally, I love bringing a hammock, lunch and book to Indigo. Severed from the mainland and all its inhabitants, you become governor of an adopted patch of earth in a way thats different from camping near a trail or road. This road should not be attempted unless you have a very high clearance Jeep or 4Runner. The river empties Their stories live on in Granite's abandoned buildings. (Unfortunately, this has become an issue around Summit Lake.) At its western end, Dead Indian Road begins at its junction with Highway 66, just outside Ashland; at its east end, the road junctions with Highway 140 at Lake of the Woods. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors. Three campgrounds on the shore offer quiet, peaceful places for families, friends and couples. He is the author of the book Hiking Southern Oregon and can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. There are 1-5 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 25 feet. For 80 years, boisterous Granite produced gold and some legendary characters . Leg 3 (Climber's Trail) would be the "toughest section." The majority of boat-in camping spots are on the north end, among a scattering of small islands off a main peninsula that juts into the lake. Timpanogas also makes a wonderful base camp for hiking or backpacking. Enjoy this 5.8-mile out-and-back trail near Crescent, Oregon. This is the last push to the false summit. Valley in the Baker City area to mine gold. The trailhead is located approximately 1 mile further on the right side of the road. Summit Lake is the smallest and most remote of the three-lake sequence that sits in the glaciated basin just east of Diamond Peak. Summit Lake - East Details. At a Glance Activities Bicycling Hiking Horse Riding & Camping Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, Minnesota. Thanked: 183 times in 105 posts. Distance: 106 miles Following a generally east-west route over the summit of the southern Cascade Range, the road passes through miles of forestland and provides brief views of Mount McLoughlin. We made slow but steady progress to the false summit (about 3 pm) without issue. 2023 www.statesmanjournal.com. La Grande, OR 97850 The year prior (2015) I abandoned a solo summit attempt (wildfires and poor planning) via a much longer route (Trapper Creek Trail to the NE, from Odell Lake). Oregon, United States, North America. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. A 2.4 million pound dredge that dates back to Summit Lake, which alsoishome to a boat ramp, outhouse and small campground, is a classic high-risk, high-reward outdoor experience. Hike the PCT: The Pacific Crest Trail runs alongside Summit Lake and can be hiked to the north or south. 1 post Page 1 of 1. Days spent gliding across sapphire water in a canoe or kayak, weaving among islands and peninsulas in search of sand beaches and groves of huckleberries,is an experience close to heaven. and Anthony Lake (D to F) the road is often closed until July due to snow. It's much steeper going than the PCT was, but its solidly within Class I territory. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. The Elkhorn Byway soon meets on official, secure websites. Coordinates: 43.41151,-122.114059. Day Stats: Distance ~ 10.5 miles. This road should not be attempted unless you have a very high clearance Jeep or 4Runner. Instead, the pure, clear water you see in Summit Lake comes straight from years of Cascade snowmelt and rain, and in turn this lake becomes a primary source for the much larger and more popular Crescent Lake. . Some of the islands are too small for campsites, but after boating around for less than 45 minutes, I pulled to the rocky shore of a promising patch of land. We reached camp just after 6pm. Then bear right onto Road 21 and . Follow this paved road 32 miles. 541-367-5168, McKenzie River Ranger District Turn right for half a mile. east and climbs its apex at Elkhorn Mountain Summit (7,392 ft.). enchanting natural beauty of the Elkhorn Mountains. The trail is open to foot and horse (or other pack stock) travel only. Here you won't see any rock cairns, but it's easy to see that you just go straight up. Short season. This is a great PCT. Suite A Follow this road and signs for Summit Lake about 6.5 miles to a major (but barely marked) junction. Sharing is caring, y'all. Still hadn't run into anyone else on the trail. Turn left at a very faint sign for Summit Lake and FSR 6010 and follow this awful rutted road a few short miles to Summit Lake Campground. Then turn onto rough and rutted FSR 6010 for 6.5 miles to Summit Lake Campground. Waldo Lake, less than a two hour drive from Eugene, Oregon is a pristine lake nestled into the Cascade Mountain range. The highlight is an easy-moderate hike of 5 miles round-trip to stunning Indigo Lake. United States. This section of the Pacific Crest Trail is extremely mellow and only gains a total of 1,010 feet of elevation during the entire 4.45 miles that you are on it. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. A blue-green pool nestled below Sawtooth Mountains 1,000-foot cliffs, Indigo Lake makes a nice first-time backpacking destination for children. It's the fixed rocky terrain that will punish low ground clearance cars. Activities Bicycling Camping & Cabins Fishing 380 for 4.1 miles, then at a sign for Summit Lake continue straight onto, NF-380 for 1.8 rough miles. --Oscar Wilde. The Pacific Crest Trail meanders around Summit Lake, and the section that heads north is one of the most popular approaches for Diamond Peak. Clarkston, WA 99403 The highway has several distinct stretches, and is the main east-west highway through Roseburg, and provides access to Crater Lake National Park from the north. "Acclimatize" for the rest of the day. by a ghost.
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