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...
The Old Cascade Crest Trail System is a system of linked trails providing access to the crest of the Old Cascades. Notable peaks of the Old Cascades are Crescent Mountain, Three Pyramids, Trappers Butte, and Scar Mountain.
The trail travels along the northeastern rim of the district, skipping over the crests of Trappers Butte and Scar Mountain. Mature forest mixed with small mountain meadows delight the senses as you head for the ridgeline. Once there, you can experience the weathered geology of the Old Cascades, with occasional views of Mount Jefferson and Three Fingered Jack.
How to get there:
To access from the east, starting at Santiam Junction, travel 7.7 miles
north on Highway 22 and turn left on Forest Road 2266. Continue on
2266 for 4.5 miles to an un-numbered spur road on the left that leads
to the trailhead.
To access from the west, travel east of Sweet Home on Highway 20 for 4 miles and turn left on Quartzville Road. Continue for 39 miles to the east end of Forest Road 1152. Turn right and travel 1.4 miles to the Gordon Peak trailhead on the right.
The hike begins by gently dropping down toward Maude Creek beneath a peaceful old-growth forest. After you cross the creek, the trail switchbacks for a mile through a shady forest, emerging into open hillsides carpeted with wildflowers in the spring. Unobstructed views of the new and old Cascade Ranges greet you as you reach the top.
If you are a more ambitious hiker, you can continue for another 5 miles along the Crescent Mountain ridge and down the north side to South Pyramid Creek Trailhead on spur road 2067-572.
How to get there:
From Sweet Home, travel east on Highway 20 for about 41.8 miles. Turn
left on Forest Road 2067 (Lava Lake). Continue 1 mile and turn left on
spur 508 and drive 0.5 mile to the trailhead on the right.
From the outset, this trail ascends steep wooded slopes interspersed with broad open meadows. Near the top, rocky crags are covered with many species of alpine plants and offers spectacular spring color. Remains of the Three Pyramids Lookout, built in 1934, lay scattered about the peak. Impressive panoramic views of the Cascades can be had from here.
How to get there:
From Sweet Home, travel east on Highway 20 for 41.8 miles and turn
left onto Forest Road 2067 (Lava Lake). Bear left on spur 560 and
continue for about 3.6 miles to the trailhead just past spur 572.
For an alternate access, from Sweet Home, follow Highway 20 to Santiam Junction and turn left onto Highway 22. Continue 4.8 miles to Forest Road 2067 (Lava Lake) and turn left. Travel 1.2 miles and turn right on spur 560 after crossing bridge. Continue for 3.6 miles to the trailhead on the left.
Traveling south across Pyramid Creek drainage, the trail climbs steeply up a major ridgeline using numerous switchbacks to reach the crest of Middle Pyramid.
Vegetation along the way is dominated by mature mixed conifer forests. You will discover areas created by natural slumps that harbor cedar and moist plant communities. As you gain elevation, you catch occasional glimpses of views to the west with the Middle Pyramid vantage providing the crown jewel of them all.
How to get there:
The trail provides the northern access to the Three Pyramids ridgeline
and shares a trailhead with Scar Mountain (see above trail
description).
The trail offers a link from the Old Cascades Trail network to the Middle Santiam Trail system, and trail ends at a junction with the Chimney Peak Trail near Shedd Camp Shelter.
If you are a horse rider and a big game hunter, you will find this trip particularly attractive. The route meets horse trail standards and travels through prime elk habitat.
How to get there:
From Sweet Home, travel east on Highway 20 for 41.8 miles to Forest
Road 2067 (Lava Lake). Turn left and travel 5.7 miles to spur 560.
Turn left and continue 3 miles to the junction with spur 572. Turn
left and travel 1.5 miles to the trailhead on the right.
NOTE: A mid-point trailhead can also be accessed. From Sweet Home,
take Highway 20 east and turn left on Highway 22 at Santiam Junction.
Travel north for 7.7 miles and turn left on Forest Road 2266. Continue
3.2 miles to Forest Road 2047 and turn left. Travel 7.1 miles to spur
road 747 and turn right. The trailhead is at the end of the spur.
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!
HELP: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!
Pagetender
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