Turn left on Forest Road 2160 and continue for approximately 1 mile then turn . Both the North Powder River (#1632) and Summit Lake Trails (#1635) begin at this trailhead. This route may be longer, and it still has very rough sections, but much less of them. Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. Elevation: 3,100' gain, 2,700' loss. Follow this road and signs for Summit Lake about 6.5 miles to a major (but barely marked) junction. The trail is open to foot and horse (or other pack stock) travel only. Posts: 726. It was a simple backtrack down the Climber's trail, the PCT, and back to camp at Rockpile Lake for the night. Escape to three of Oregon's most beautiful lakes this September Its about nourishment and learning. Water: No. ) or https:// means you've safely There are other routes (to the summit in general) and to Summit Lake/trailhead, but the closest was from the east which is why I chose Crescent Lake as our frontcountry access point. Hike the PCT: The Pacific Crest Trail runs alongside Summit Lake and can be hiked to the north or south. Turn left on Forest Road 2160 and continue for approximately 1 mile then turn right on 2160-380. 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. Santiam Summit to Square Lake and Round Lake Trail. Day Stats: Distance ~ 10.5 miles. 541-367-5168, McKenzie River Ranger District 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. Apparently, some people have trouble understanding the concept of burying their poop on the lake's islands and the Forest Service has made bringing a shovel a requirement. 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. By the time evening arrived, Id arranged a nice place for reading and star-watching. Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment? No deviations from scouting report. Mosquitoes are usually scarce by mid-August, and September is a safer bet. Follow the road along the ridge, passing by a few scattered oaks and willows. Unlike Odell Lake and Crescent Lake, Summit Lake has no major, single stream to feed it. #1. Camp and hike at the birthplace of the Willamette River Diamond Peak rises above the south shoreline, and numerous islands and inlets invite exploring via boat. Summit Lake has a small first come first serve campground if you want to spend the night after a long day of summiting. As we neared treeline things got more scrubby and we kept an eye out for the cairn which would mark our junction with the Climber's Trail. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 2 min to complete. My re-assurances fell on deaf ears but indeed the cairn was found intact and we continued on (FYI it's located around treeline; the PCT up until this point is heading roughly NW but after the junction with the Climber's Trail the PCT sharply turns off to the NE). 509-758-0616, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest on Facebook, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest on Twitter. Hipcamp makes it easy to find unique camping experiences. Island camping isnt allowed. Park. 770 for another 2 miles. Not only is South Sister a stunning image and visible from hundreds of miles throughout Central Oregon, but it is a great beginner climb to introduce hikers to high altitude mountain life. 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. A small 10-site campground provides a spot to fish for cutthroat and brook trout, go kayaking in the shadow of overhanging mountains or just swim where the Willamette begins. Hike up South Sister (10,358 ft.), Oregon's third tallest mountain, for incredible views and a great introduction to high-altitude hiking. An official website of the Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. 2023Outdoor Project. ", Diamond Peak, South Approach; Overview Map, Diamond Peak from East shore of Odell Lake, Alex pointing out the cairn marking the Climber's Trail, Summit Lake (looking south) from the Climber's Trail, One of many cairns along the Climbers Trail, Panorama from the false summit (looking north to the true summit), Images Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. 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. Oregon" (pop. Summit Lake Campground - Crescent, Oregon | Free Camping Near You For 80 years, boisterous Granite produced The Elkhorn Byway soon meets Look for rock "walls" Follow this road and signs for Summit Lake about 6.5 miles to a major (but barely marked) junction. Nighttime low 38F. To be sure, there are plenty of pullouts along the primitive roads that follow the north and west shores, but most are in the dense lodgepole and ponderosa growth and miss the sun. Follow this paved road half a mile and then turn right onto FSR 21. All Rights Reserved. Follow this paved road 32 miles. Perhaps predictably, the sites are all first-come, first-served. Day Stats: Distance ~ 10.5 miles. the business district was destroyed by fire in 1917, gold was extracted We found a nice already well established campsite at Rockpile lake and in the interest of time decided not to continue to Marie Lake but quick pitched our tents, had a quick lunch, drop unnecessary gear and head to the summit. But at least you wont have to pay for the privilege. Summit Lake: a beckoning hideaway in Oregon Cascades This trip, perhaps not very notable for much of the community here at Summit Post, was special to me for a few reasons. (541) 383-5300. Zillow has 2385 homes for sale. A canoe would be a better choice, but on a solo trip, I opted for easier traveling. 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. Checking Summit Lake trail (NF-398) 5-30-2016 Oregon Cascades - YouTube Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. This is a FREE campsite. Easy 4 mile walk back to the car. (Cutting wood from the islands few trees would not be responsible). Oregons second-largest lake and one of the worlds clearest Waldo Lake is a natural phenomenon and a bucket-list experience. Road & Weather Conditions Map | TripCheck - Oregon Traveler Information 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. 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). by Bubba Suess Fri Jun 22, 2012 3:25 am, Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests. Take the exit and at the stop sign turn left. By continuing below, you agree to Hipcamps. weekends and holidays throughout the summer months. Waldo Lake (Oakridge) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor Trailhead address: Old Topanga Canyon Road & Summit to Summit Motorway, Topanga, CA 90290. And nows a good timeto explore the iconic mountain lakes and trails near Oakridge. 44125 North Santiam Highway SE We reached camp just after 6pm. 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. Information: Crescent Ranger District Office, (541) 433-3200. Detroit, OR 97342 Baker Valley and the distant Wallowa Mountains. Turn left at a very faint sign for Summit Lake and FSR 6010 and follow this awful. 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. It was a nice easy hike through typical Pac NW conifer forest along the PCT. an extensive collection of pioneer antiques. The spine can look sketchy and narrow from the false summit, but it is about 3-4 feet wide in most spots. 541-962-8500, 201 East Second St. Baker City, OR 97814 For a greater challenge, tackle Cowhorn Mountain. Deschutes National Forest. Follow signs to campgrounds or boat ramps. Even with these high clearance cars the 6 miles will likely take about 45 minutes to 1 hour to navigate. 2023 Hipcamp, Inc. All rights reserved. enchanting natural beauty of the Elkhorn Mountains. When thinking about the timing of your hike and making sure you have enough daylight hours, keep in mind that the last 1.5 miles of this hike (the actual climb) will take between 1.5-2 hours and it is pretty slow going on the way down too. Springfield,OR 97477 on official, secure websites. 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. 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). 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). and the town of Granite sprang up. Note that the "road" into Summit Lake is a rutted and potholed dirt road that you really need a vehicle with some . 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!). Even though this is the Pacific Crest Trail, besides the few weeks that the bubble of thru-hikers come through, this area is not as well traveled as some other areas in Central Oregon because it is so remote. 503-854-3366, Sweet Home Ranger District I brought my backpacking gear, an inflatable kayak and made sure to include a shovel. Windy Lakes: A trail visits multiple mountain lakes from a route that begins near Summit Lake off awful FSR 398. skiing and snowmobiling in winter. Short season. All these factors made it an easy decision to return for a summit run. 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. Map showing recreational areas. ontoUS Forest Service Rd 21 then almost immediately turn, ontoNF-21. Once you get back down to the PCT it is easy cruising though. 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). Diamond Peak is absolutely incredible and one of Oregon's most underrated summits! We have a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination at Hipcamp and are committed to helping our Host and Hipcamper community be inclusive. From the junction the climber trail immediately starts going steeply uphill. --Oscar Wilde. Granite, the Byway turns north onto Forest Road 73. Their stories live on in Granite's abandoned buildings. You can tour the city's downtown to see fine examples of turn-of-the-century Diamond Peak : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost Within a few miles of each other, Grande Ronde Lake and Anthony Lake fisheries, water quality, scenery, recreation, wildlife, and historical For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports. The climb is non-technical but requires some route-finding on a trek of 11 miles round-trip with 3,000 feet of climb. up with the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway at the North Fork John Day Campground. Heading north takes you into the Diamond Peak Wilderness, withhighlights such as Rockpile and Marie lakes. All three selections here are fairly wild and camping-centric, but you can also get a more civilized experience at Crescent Lake and Odell Lake resorts. #2. The purity of the water that makes it to Summit Lake, combined with the relatively small area of the drainage basin that feeds it, gives the lake a characteristic clarity that is alternately sapphire, turquoise, and gold depending on lake depth. Road to Summit Lake Near Diamond Peak Oregon. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. Its about protecting what sustains us. until you reach Baker City. Turn, to stay onNF-2154 for 2.5 miles. Navigating the way down with the GPS track that you recorded when going up will be very helpful. **If you Google directions to Summit Lake DO NOT take the suggested route even if Google says it is faster. It has great flow when ridden from south to north. Distance: 106 miles Please contact us with questions and comments. its glory days when miners produced over $10 million in gold ore, and Follow this paved road half a mile and then turn right onto FSR 21. From there, explore the lake on day-trips via canoe, kayak or stand-up paddleboard. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock the Mowich Look Wildlife Viewing Area is a good place to spy a variety Island camping: There are many boat-in campsites where its possible to make camp via canoe or kayak. This 106-mile loop is a voyage through gold booms, ghost towns and the ( Coordinates: 43.41151,-122.114059. gold nugget is on display at the U.S. Bank on Main Street. 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. Sweet Home, OR 97386 A second is canoe camping loading your gear and traveling the lakes shoreline to the numerous campsites only reachable via boat. I, not being from Oregon and having to fly in, was dependent on others for the drive in to the trailhead. Mt. Hood National Forest - Summit Lake Campground - US Forest Service Ashland is one of the top free campsites in Oregon. 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. From Three miles past Indigo Springs Campground, turn left on Timpanogas Road 2154. Hipcamp is working closely with the government to allow bookings here asap. Small. Photos (131) Directions. I loved the beauty and solitude of the area and it's an easy drive from Eugene (where Alex lives), which allows easy access. The weather continued to be perfect so we didn't feel rushed. Early September in Oregon forecast good weather (no storms), day/night temps 70s/40s. The trail to the left takes you to Rockpile and Marie Lake and the trail to the right is a, As you get closer to the Diamond Peak climber trail junction, you will catch glimpses of the mountain through the trees. 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. They extend nearly 80 miles, from the Red Rock Valley in California to Warner Canyon, which lies immediately east of Lakeview, Oregon. It was a simple backtrack down the Climber's trail, the PCT, and back to camp at Rockpile Lake for the night. 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. This is the last push to the false summit. Minimum Drive Time: 3-5 hours Shorter but very rough route: This route includes a long stretch on a very rutted, difficult to drive road. Fishing, from what I was told, is not good here. Diamond Peak Summit - Hike Oregon Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment? larger boulders in their search for gold. continues west, past fields of dredge tailings (the earth disturbed by Butisland camping alsocanbe lonely, especially on a solo trip, without even the mainland chipmunks around to keep you company.