541-367-5168, McKenzie River Ranger District Oregon Route 138 is an Oregon state highway that runs between the city of Elkton and a junction with U.S. Route 97 at Diamond Lake Junction. He is the author of the book Hiking Southern Oregon and can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Gorgeous Cascade lake. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors. From An official website of the 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. 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. Easy 4 mile walk back to the car. The Elkhorn Drive 2023Outdoor Project. McKenzie Bridge, OR 97413 Elevation: 3,100' gain, 2,700' loss. 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. Warner Mountains : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering - SummitPost Thielsen and Summit Lake where you came from. We reached camp just after 6pm. the business district was destroyed by fire in 1917, gold was extracted 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. Summit Lake | Outdoor Project If you are not wanting to maneuver the rock holds to get past the spires on the way to the summit you can stay at the false summit. From there, explore the lake on day-trips via canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard. to a downhill ski resort that's served up great powder since 1933. 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. During good water In 46375 Highway 58 The upside is that you will enjoy warm, swimmable water, clear and warm summer nights, and a host of excellent hiking and biking opportunities. Follow this road and signs for Summit Lake about 6.5 miles to a major (but barely marked) junction. Turn left on Forest Road 2160 and continue for approximately 1 mile then turn right on 2160-380. the railroad helped Baker City outlive many similar boom towns. Even with these high clearance cars the 6 miles will likely take about 45 minutes to 1 hour to navigate. --Oscar Wilde. For details on the route, buy the book "100 Hikes in the Willamette Cascades" by William Sullivan. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. Turn, ontoNF-2612 for 1.2 miles. Island camping: There are many boat-in campsites where its possible to make camp via canoe or kayak. Springfield,OR 97477 Sleep early for pre-dawn start. Diamond Peak. It wasnt much less than an acre in size but it had character. Map. Still hadn't run into anyone else on the trail. Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. There's not much you can do about the smoke in Oregon this summer. Some sites/trip reports indicate a permit was needed to park but I couldn't that up and we didn't use/have one. Close to adventures. 503-854-3366, Sweet Home Ranger District 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. The dramatic landscape is the work of uplifted lava flows, sculpted by ice and time here in the southeast corner of Oregon. For this story, Im spotlighting my three favorite lakes in the area Timpanogas, Summit and Waldo. Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, Minnesota. The Anthony Lake area is also home Summit Guard Station Bunkhouse - Recreation.gov 541-426-5546, Clarkston - Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, 2535 Riverside Drive Leg 3 (Climber's Trail) would be the "toughest section." Information: Crescent Ranger District Office, (541) 433-3200. Copyright 2023. Take the exit and at the stop sign turn left. Beyond Phillips Lake, a side road leads to the Sumpter Valley Railroad Successful summit; Diamond Peak (8,744'), September 11 2016. 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. 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. Call a ranger to learn more about this camp at Diamond Peak : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost The Elkhorn Byway soon meets Nighttime was utterly silent on Berry Island, and, in a small way, I missed the conversations I often have with follow campers. ), ontoOR-138 W and stay on this road for 9.4 miles. The Summit Lake Campground is a great base for exploration. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. passengers to the town of Sumpter; the Dodger runs four times daily on The best times to visit this trail are June through November. 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. Backcountry travel ethics and Leave No Trace principles apply, of course. Three miles past Indigo Springs Campground, turn left on Timpanogas Road 2154. Diamond Peak sits within the Diamond Peak Wilderness which is part of Willamette National Forest. Back to camp. 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. Summit Lake also makes a good starting point to hike into the Diamond Peak Wilderness. Map Information, See accessible adventures at Detroit Lake & the McKenzie River Valley, Supervisor's Office Please post partners requests and trip plans in the, "Most people are other people. Once you get back down to the PCT it is easy cruising though. 541-962-8500, 201 East Second St. 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)! Deschutes National Forest - Summit Lake Trail - US Forest Service Primitive campground. Summit Lake Campground | Outdoor Project A 7.2-Mile Run/Walk that starts at Summit Christian College in Gering, NE, goes up to the top of Scotts Bluff. 541-782-2283, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/willamette/recarea/?recid=81076, MRRD: Helicopter Operations Occurring 4/14/23-6/14/23, FIRE CLOSURES: Cedar Creek, Beachie Creek & Lionshead, Holiday Farm, Potter, etc, Forest Road 46 open for 11 miles; portion closed to vehicle traffic. From The route goes off-trail and requires around 12 miles hiking and more than 3,500 feet of climb, but you can start the journey from the PCT at Summit Lake. Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. As planned, the trip was a complete success. Road to Summit Lake Near Diamond Peak Oregon. South Sister : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost Discover campsites, ranches, vineyards, farms, glamping, public parks and more. The PCT junction with the Marie Lake Trail was clearly marked and we turned West towards Camp (sorry don't have a picture). I opted for the longer route, which follows paved FSR 21 most of the way and includes less time on awful FSR 6010. 57600 McKenzie Hwy connected to the .gov website. It serves as a trailhead for both the Summit Lake and North Powder River Trails. The climb is non-technical but requires some route-finding on a trek of 11 miles round-trip with 3,000 feet of climb. This is just one of the great singletrack trails in the Crescent Lake area. From Baker City, Oregonhead north on Highway 30 toward Haines for approximately 10 miles; In Haines turn left and follow the Anthony Lake Highway signsfor approximately 11 milesto Foothill Road; Turn left on Foothill Road and go south for approximately 3.5 miles to Bulger Flat Lane (County Road 566); Turn right on Bulger Flat Lane and head west and south west on an unnamed road for approximately 4 miles to the Forest Service (FS) boundary; At the FS boundary the road becomes FS road 7301; Follow FS road 7301 for approximately 5 miles to the trailhead. With a population of 130, Sumpter is a shadow of The road will cross a bridge, stay right on NF-21 for another 21paved miles. Season: Late June/July to September/October, depending on snow. For reference, a Subaru Crosstrek barely made it 3 years ago. "Acclimatize" for the rest of the day. Boat ramp. All Rights Reserved. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. Photos (131) Directions. 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. Official websites use .gov A .gov I would like to receive news, exclusive offers, and fun updates from Hipcamp. mining), to Sumpter. All rights reserved. Santiam Summit to Square Lake and Round Lake Trail. The haze is pretty much everywhere across the state given the number of fires burning. Park where the restored narrow gauge "Stump Dodger" train takes Ashland. The trailhead is located approximately 1 mile further on the right side of the road. Summit Lake Trail In the Oregon Cascades Recreation Area, this trail begins from the Summit Lake Trailhead on Forest Road 6010, crosses Windy Lakes Trail #50, and ends at the Oldenberg Lake Trail #45. Official websites use .gov A .gov Granite, the Byway turns north onto Forest Road 73. Summit Lake Campground is open Snowmelt to snowfall. Turn right for half a mile. People do catch brook trout here, but theyre small and a challenge to hook given the clear water. offer picturesque settings for camping and fishing, plus cross-country State. . There are 1-5 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 25 feet. Detroit, OR 97342 Then follow signs for Timpanogas Lake 9.3 miles to the campground. Camp and hike at the birthplace of the Willamette River Find him on Facebook at Zachs Oregon Outdoors or @ZachsORoutdoors on Twitter. Turn, to stay onNF-2154 for 2.5 miles. The river empties A five-pound It was my first attempt at planning an entire trip's travel and logistics, route planning, escape/medical considerations, food/water/gear planning for people (my experience thus far has been as a soloist). The summit is spectacular though and offers views of the rest of Diamond Peak's arms, and you can see Waldo Lake, Willamette Pass, Maiden Peak, the Three Sisters and Mt. 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 . Our legs were feeling good and the weather was perfect (70s but still in the trees). The 7,664-foot mountain is one of the least-climbed peaks in the Cascade Range. 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). Summit Lake Trail In the Oregon Cascades Recreation Area, this trail begins from the Summit Lake Trailhead on Forest Road 6010, crosses Windy Lakes Trail #50, and ends at the Oldenberg Lake Trail #45. 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. by Bubba Suess Fri Jun 22, 2012 3:25 am, Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests. Diamond Peak, southern route via Crescent/Summit Lakes. From Hoodoo's (above) we simply drove west along Crescent Lake's north shore until we hit FR 398/6010 which continued directly west to Summit Lake and the Pacific Crest Trail head parking lot (roughly: 43.4632, -122.1341). Then turn onto rough and rutted FSR 6010 for 6.5 miles to Summit Lake Campground. (14), Non-intimidating profile with easy "bail out" (1 overnight but could be accomplished as a day hike; easy water access; easy car/frontcountry access), No particular gear, weather, altitude, or environmental concerns, Just over 10 miles, ~3,400' gain, 2,950' loss, Sleeping Altitude: ~ 6,000' (USGS topo marks Marie Lake @ 6,014'; Rockpile Lake @ 6,037'), Sleeping altitude ~ 4,800' (4,000+ gain via car), Successful summit; Diamond Peak (8,744'), September 11 2016. Westfir, OR 97492 Hike up South Sister (10,358 ft.), Oregon's third tallest mountain, for incredible views and a great introduction to high-altitude hiking. Leaving LockA locked padlock Go island camping at spectacular lake hidden in Oregon mountains Zach Urness has been an outdoors writer, photographer and videographer in Oregon for seven years. It is very steep and the rocks are loose, so take it slow. 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). They extend nearly 80 miles, from the Red Rock Valley in California to Warner Canyon, which lies immediately east of Lakeview, Oregon. Follow this road and signs for Summit Lake about 6.5 miles to a major (but barely marked) junction. around the rock spires, the only slightly sketchy part of this whole hike. Valley in the Baker City area to mine gold. 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. Thanked: 183 times in 105 posts. All Hosts should review and adhere to these standards around providing a positive Hipcamp experience, being a thoughtful neighbor, and serving as a responsible citizen. It's not completelyfree of flames and smoke, but it doesn't have massive closures in place. It is very easy to continue going straight down after the rocky/boulder area, which will put you out at Marie Lake, the small lake near Rockpile Trail. You descend to a junction by another water tank (0.6 miles) where you'll turn left. Climb Diamond Peak: You dont need ropes to ascend the dramatic shield volcano that rises over Willamette Pass. Download Our New Official Recreation App! Island camping isnt allowed. Victorian architecture, including the famous Geiser Grand Hotel. The highway is signed east-west. Access to the campground is rough in good conditions, and excessive rain may make the road impassible, not to mention snow. It goes through the forest and past many lakes and ponds. and the town of Granite sprang up. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 56 min to complete. This made the trip an easier sell to Alex who enjoys his creature comforts (running water, cold beer) and facilitated logistics overall. But at least you wont have to pay for the privilege. Willamette National Forest - Pacific Crest Trailhead - Summit Lake 3 talking about this. It is exactly 1.06 miles to the false summit and you will gain a whopping 1,800 feet of elevation in just that one mile! larger boulders in their search for gold. an extensive collection of pioneer antiques. The higher you get the looser and more sand-like the terrain becomes. It's much steeper going than the PCT was, but its solidly within Class I territory. east and climbs its apex at Elkhorn Mountain Summit (7,392 ft.). Print/PDF map. ontoUS Forest Service Rd 21 then almost immediately turn, ontoNF-21. Its about protecting what sustains us. Follow the road along the ridge, passing by a few scattered oaks and willows. Mountains eventually stopped producing, agriculture and the arrival of Chambers Lakes: From Sisters, drive 1.4 miles west on McKenzie Pass Highway, aka Oregon 242. At 3.1 miles you will see a trail cross the PCT. In fact, you may just sit in your parked car after your long, slow, and bumpy drive, wondering about your next move as you hear a disembodied, psychotic whine and note the mosquito clouds that float themselves against your windows like millions of minute zombies hungry for human flesh. If you have the misfortune of arriving before the mosquitoes have left, all the water clarity, Cascade views, pristine wilderness, and incredible sunsets wont mean a thing; the predominant memory will be of trill, bloodthirsty, aerial mobs. South Sister via Devil's Lake Trailhead, Deschutes County, Oregon 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. It was challenging enough to feel satisfying and a perfect way to introduce others to the outdoors. Soon, the Byway turns west and joins the Powder River. 44125 North Santiam Highway SE Here you won't see any rock cairns, but it's easy to see that you just go straight up. Real Estate & Homes For Sale - 2385 Homes For Sale | Zillow Note that the "road" into Summit Lake is a rutted and potholed dirt road that you really need a vehicle with some . Coordinates: 43.41151,-122.114059. (Unfortunately, this has become an issue around Summit Lake.) 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. Summit Lake is home to a very small campground with three closely spaced sites with a bathroom and boat launch. Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. Area. Note: Some of the data is off due to the different combinations of information sources (topo maps, GPS tracker) I spliced together. Scouting photos and logs show a non technical hike with maybe some Class II/III route finding towards the summit. 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. Diamond Peak Summit - Hike Oregon (541) 383-5300. This road should not be attempted unless you have a very high clearance Jeep or 4Runner. A small wooden sign proclaimed the site Berry Island (elevation 5,650 feet), the perfect nighttime home. 2023Outdoor Project. These factors weighed heavily on my choosing Diamond Peak and this "southern route via Crescent and Summit Lakes." Everyone arrived as planned without issues, gear checked and remaining items (fuel, food) readied and car packed. Oregon" (pop. Directions:From Eugene, take Willamette Pass Highway 58 east for 65 miles and turn left onto Forest Service Road5897 at signs for Waldo Lake. So take these recommendations with a grain of salt and call the Middle Fork Ranger Station(541-782-2283) in advance to check conditions. This is a great PCT. Summit Lake is the smallest and most remote of the three-lake sequence that sits in the glaciated basin just east of Diamond Peak. Many crossovers/CUVs/light SUVs could probably handle the road but just be aware: it's not a matter of traction (having AWD). reaching Blue Springs Summit (5,864 ft.), a popular snowmobiling venue. This option requires more planning and there are plenty of regulations about where youre allowed to put down a tent. Dead Indian Memorial Road - The Oregon Encyclopedia A 2.4 million pound dredge that dates back to At a junction turn, NF-398 at a sign for Summit Lake. and '49 Jimmie, whose only companion was a rooster with whom he shared Santiam Summit to Square Lake and Round Lake Trail - AllTrails.com There was a giddy excitement in making camp on my own island, of climbing a few steps to its highest point and surveying the breadth of my kingdom. 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. the town had 15 saloons, three newspapers, and an opera house. Follow this road and signs for Summit Lake about 6.5 miles to a major (but barely marked) junction. At a Glance Activities Bicycling Hiking Horse Riding & Camping The Pacific Crest Trail meanders around Summit Lake, and the section that heads north is one of the most popular approaches for Diamond Peak. It is not a bad climb if ridden from north to south either. Before you leave town, be sure to gas up, as no services are available its glory days when miners produced over $10 million in gold ore, and The Staley Fire is somewhatnear Timpanogas and Summit, but both remain open to the public. United States. Best Time to Visit: Summer and Fall; Between Granite continues west, past fields of dredge tailings (the earth disturbed by 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. Waldo Lake, less than a two hour drive from Eugene, Oregon is a pristine lake nestled into the Cascade Mountain range. Despite these charms, the lake remains uncrowded due to three major major problems:awful road access, late snowmelt and mosquitoes. A second is canoe camping loading your gear and traveling the lakes shoreline to the numerous campsites only reachable via boat. The ideal time to visit Summit Lake is early September, after Labor Day, when the weather is warm enough for swimming but the nights are cool enough to eliminate mosquitoes. Unlike Odell Lake and Crescent Lake, Summit Lake has no major, single stream to feed it. 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. I brought my backpacking gear, an inflatable kayak and made sure to include a shovel. all his meals. (view of Summit Lake, Cowhorn Mountain, Sawtooth Mountain & Mount Thielsen). The return is a simple backtrack. The segment of the trail accessed from this trailhead follows open rolling country along the crest of the Cascade Mountains. Directions: From Oakridge, continue east on Highway 58 for 1.8 miles to a Hills Creek Dam sign between mileposts 37 and 38. Please contact us with questions and comments. Summit Lake has a small first come first serve campground if you want to spend the night after a long day of summiting. of wildlife including osprey, bald eagles, deer and elk. It is the primary route between the Willamette Valley and south-central Oregon, including the Klamath Falls region. Then turn onto rough and rutted FSR 6010 for 6.5 miles to Summit Lake Campground. I parked near the boat ramp, inflated my kayak and began loading up gear. Bicycles and motorized vehicles are not permitted. 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). Occasionally Diamond Peak would come into view, peeking through the trees, a concrete reminder of our goal. Having trekking poles helps immensely! beware of the sign that says Diamond Peak Trail 1 mile from Summit Lake as I tried it and a large tree blocked the way in July of 2002). Navigating the way down with the GPS track that you recorded when going up will be very helpful. The official headwaters of the Willamette River is this pretty lake at the base of little-known Cowhorn Mountain. The rest of the hike would definitely be rated easy to moderate. You'll pass by a water tank and the road becomes dirt. Directions: From Oakridge, continue east on Highway 58 for 1.8 miles to a "Hills Creek Dam" sign between mileposts 37 and 38. It seems as if you're nearing the false summit but unfortunately you're not there yet; instead the aspect flattens and you're greeted with a field of talus and scree all the way to the horizon. In particular, NF-398 from Crescent Lake to Summit Lake will take time to drive. Go island camping at spectacular lake hidden in Oregon mountains, Diamond Peak: Climbing Oregon's misshapen mountain. Diamond Peak: Central or Southern Cascades? Home | Summit to Summit Run/Walk | Gering, NE Pass by a metal gate and begin an ascent along the Summit to Summit Motorway. Exposure on the summit but otherwise forested. 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. Summit Lake is the smallest and most remote of the three-lake sequence that sits in the glaciated basin just east of Diamond Peak. Between the 5,500-foot altitude, the rough roads, and the mosquitoes, the window of opportunity for visiting Summit Lake is small indeed (unless you consider some winter adventures!). Its about protecting what sustains us. Its three sites offer only picnic tables and fire pits; the campground has a single vault toilet and an unimproved boat ramp in the middle; accessing the campground from any direction is a difficult prospect requiring a high-clearance, four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicle; and finally, when you are there at the wrong time of . on official, secure websites. For 80 years, boisterous Granite produced gold and some legendary characters . Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock
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