BEFORE YOU TAKE OFF ON ANY HIKE:
DON'T depend on these notes alone for a hike! Always STOP by the Ranger Station
and ASK about the specific trail as to conditions and exactly HOW to find it.
Tell them WHERE you are going and WHEN you will return. If you are in such a
BIG hurry, then leave a note at the trailhead. If you are in too much of a hurry to
do that, then you should GO HOME and watch television, not hike, not camp, not
ride, not out here on the...
This group of trails provides access to the Middle Santiam Wilderness. Recent trail construction links these trails to the Old Cascade Crest Trail System to the east.
Starting from the trailhead on Forest Road 2041-646 spur, the trail rapidly descends for 0.75 miles to the Middle Santiam River. You can enjoy exploring Shedd Camp Shelter and a nearby swimming hole. The trail continues across the Middle Santiam River (no bridge) and travels north through majestic old-growth forests. The trail crosses Pyramid Creek (no bridge) before rising to Forest Road 2041 (Soda Fork) (closed in winter). The trail crosses Forest Road 2041, enters the Middle Santiam Wilderness and reaches Donaca Lake in less than three miles. Beyond Donaca Lake, through the heart of the wilderness, the trail gradually gains elevation to the base of Chimney Peak. Adventurous explorers might want to ascend the rocky peak to the place where a fire lookout once stood.
How to get there:
From Sweet Home, travel east on Highway 20 for 23.3 miles; turn left
on Forest Road 2041 (Soda Fork). Stay on 2041 for 12 miles to spur
road 646 and turn right. The trailhead is at the end of the spur road.
You may also reach the mid-point in the trail by continuing down 2041 for an additional 3 miles to the road closure. Travel by foot 2 miles further along 2041 to the original trailhead. This route shortens the total hike by approximately 3 miles and bypasses the need to wade the Middle Santiam River and Pyramid Creek.
Ambitious hikers may want to make a 15.8 mile round trip using the Swamp Peak, Gordon Peak, and Chimney Peak trail loop.
How to get there:
From Sweet Home, travel east on Highway 20 for 4 miles and turn left
on Forest Road 11 (Quartzville Road). Travel approximately 34.6 miles
and turn right at the lower end of Forest Road 1152. Travel 3.2 miles
to spur road 640 and turn right. Continue on 640 for 1.2 miles to
trailhead on right.
Because of rough road conditions, horse riders are encouraged to access this trailhead from the upper end of Forest Road 1152, which is 5 miles further up Quartzville Road. Turn right on Forest Road 1152 and travel 5 miles to spur road 640 and turn left.
From the trailhead, you can also head northeast for approximately 3.1 miles to the top of Scar Mountain for wonderful views along Scar Ridge. This route provides a link to the Old Cascade Crest Trail System.
How to get there:
From Sweet Home, travel Highway 20 for 4 miles to Quartzville Road
and turn left. Travel approximately 40 miles to east end of Forest
Road 1152 and turn right. Trailhead is 1.4 miles on right.
How to get there:
From Sweet Home, travel east on Highway 20 about 4 miles and turn left
on Forest Road 11 (Quartzville Road). Follow for 32 miles to Forest
Road 1142 and turn right. Follow 1142 for 4 miles to the trailhead.
Access road to the trailhead is rough. Horse trailers are NOT
recommended. This trail needs serious reconstruction before most
horseback riders can travel it safely. Translation: don't go there
and expect your horse to take care of you, dummy!
Other trail and area information sources:
If you have personal knowledge of any of these trails and find the information here to be wrong or inaccurate, please email me as soon as possible so that I may correct it. Please note date of observance and general trail condition. Thanks!
DISCLAIMER: I would not bet my life on the accuracy of this information,
even though I did try to make it as accurate as possible. So, I'd appreciate
it if you would drop me a note about any excesses, errors, or omissions. Thanks!
Pagetender
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