I, not being from Oregon and having to fly in, was dependent on others for the drive in to the trailhead. Sweet Home, OR 97386 Oregon. Directions:From Eugene, take Willamette Pass Highway 58 east for 65 miles and turn left onto Forest Service Road5897 at signs for Waldo Lake. An official website of the Theres something unique about camping on an island. The roads are mostly paved to four campgrounds. Print/PDF map. They might be covered by smoke during a trip, but that will depend on which way the wind is blowing. This is a FREE campsite. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors. The higher you get the looser and more sand-like the terrain becomes. Take the exit and at the stop sign turn left. 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. It is not a bad climb if ridden from north to south either. I opted for the longer route, which follows paved FSR 21 most of the way and includes less time on awful FSR 6010. Find him on Facebook at Zachs Oregon Outdoors or @ZachsORoutdoors on Twitter. Day 2 was uneventful, dawn wake up, breakfast, pack camp and head back to the car. 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. Boat ramp. At its widest point, near Eagleville, the Warners are only 15 miles wide. Many crossovers/CUVs/light SUVs could probably handle the road but just be aware: it's not a matter of traction (having AWD). Or view a regional map of surrounding Los Angeles trails and campgrounds. Heading north takes you into the Diamond Peak Wilderness, withhighlights such as Rockpile and Marie lakes. But at least you wont have to pay for the privilege. It goes through the forest and past many lakes and ponds. 1935 is on display in a park at the edge of town; it's rumored to be haunted It is rated 'very difficult' only because there is route finding involved near the top as well as maneuvering around the spine's rock spires. The Summit Lake Campground is a great base for exploration. Baker City, OR 97814 From Oakridge, head east on Highway 58 for 2 miles and turn right at a sign for Hills Creek Dam. Parents refers to a larger category under which an object falls. Planned for night temps to low 40s. Exposure on the summit but otherwise forested. Theres also a rustic shelter that can be rented it has a dirt floor and planks for beds, so dont expect the Hilton. While this poses some challenges for planning, it also protects this gorgeous and sensitive area from becoming too overrun. Contact the Middle Fork Ranger District for details (541-782-2283). Diamond Peak is absolutely incredible and one of Oregon's most underrated summits! We hit the trail with high spirits just after 8 am. Turn, ontoNF-2612 for 1.2 miles. ( We reached camp just after 6pm. Enter your email below to be notified when we get access. Summit Lake also makes a good starting point to hike into the Diamond Peak Wilderness. It also is the preferred route to points further southeast, including Reno, Nevada.Finally, it is an important alternate route for traffic moving up and down the West Coast, as bad weather frequently closes Interstate 5 . Turn right for half a mile. Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. Thielsen and Summit Lake where you came from. Climb Diamond Peak: You dont need ropes to ascend the dramatic shield volcano that rises over Willamette Pass. This made the trip an easier sell to Alex who enjoys his creature comforts (running water, cold beer) and facilitated logistics overall. 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!). I wasted no time setting up my tent and organizing camp, then celebrating with a cool swim. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. I spent the rest of the day exploring surrounding islands and peninsulas and found many other outstanding campsites and unsuccessfully trying to catch fish. Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment? Pass by a metal gate and begin an ascent along the Summit to Summit Motorway. ( A small wooden sign proclaimed the site Berry Island (elevation 5,650 feet), the perfect nighttime home. 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. The Anthony Lake area is also home Its about nourishment and learning. Full of deep ruts and large boulders, the road is treacherous any time of the year but particularly in early summerdue to late snowmelt that makes it easy to get stuck in snow or mud. an extensive collection of pioneer antiques. Summit Lake - East Details. Everyone arrived as planned without issues, gear checked and remaining items (fuel, food) readied and car packed. This is the last push to the false summit. Nearby, Its about nourishment and learning. 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. 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. Real-time Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watch Warnings help keep our community safe. (541) 383-5300. Mountains eventually stopped producing, agriculture and the arrival of The Byway turns Options. Because the rocks are loose you have to watch your footing carefully. The trailhead is located approximately 1 mile further on the right side of the road. The jagged Upon arrival, I met a family that has been coming here for 20 years. My GPS tracker was off for Day 1 Leg 1 (turned it on after lunch); Day 2 I left it on after we already got in the car and started driving which is the reason for the inconsistencies. (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. This is a great PCT. Southeast Oregon; Crater Lake / Diamond Lake; Lake of the Woods / Siskiyou Summit; Sno-Park Permits; Sno-Park Permit Vendors . peaks in view here form the backdrop for the Anthony Lakes Recreation into Phillips Lake, which is a popular boating and fishing spot. The Pacific Crest Trail meanders around Summit Lake, and the section that heads north is one of the most popular approaches for Diamond Peak. Springfield,OR 97477 around the rock spires, the only slightly sketchy part of this whole hike. It's much steeper going than the PCT was, but its solidly within Class I territory. Small. Follow this paved road 32 miles. Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. I would like to receive news, exclusive offers, and fun updates from Hipcamp. The haze is pretty much everywhere across the state given the number of fires burning. connected to the .gov website. One of the only mountain lakes in Oregon where you can camp on an island, Summit Lake offers one of Oregons best late-summer experiences. Phone Number. 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. Beautiful views. Summit Lake, which alsoishome to a boat ramp, outhouse and small campground, is a classic high-risk, high-reward outdoor experience. They extend nearly 80 miles, from the Red Rock Valley in California to Warner Canyon, which lies immediately east of Lakeview, Oregon. The result is sapphire-tinted water so clear you can see your boats shadow on the bottom of the lake. For reference, a Subaru Crosstrek barely made it 3 years ago. Deschutes National Forest. By continuing below, you agree to Hipcamps. No fee is required to hike/climb/camp, but a backcountry/day use permit ("self serve," free, filled out at trailhead) was required. At a Glance Activities Bicycling Hiking Horse Riding & Camping Alerts & Warnings Willamette NF Fire Closures View All Forest Alerts Recreation Areas Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 7 h 28 min to complete. Day 0 we left the house later than planned, took OR-58 southeast out of Eugene and about 1.5 hours later we arrived at Crescent Lake. Byway tour, head south on Oregon Route 7. Official websites use .gov A .gov 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. Bicycles and motorized vehicles are not permitted. Then follow signs for Timpanogas Lake 9.3 miles to the campground. Shorter but very rough route: This route includes a long stretch on a very rutted, difficult to drive road. The trail comes out from the woods and turns a sharp corner coming to a large open area with some rocks and a great view of Summit Lake, Cowhorn Mountain and Thielsen. Follow this road and signs for Summit Lake about 6.5 miles to a major (but barely marked) junction. ), ontoOR-138 W and stay on this road for 9.4 miles. gold and some legendary characters like Skedaddle Smith, One-eyed Dick, The dramatic landscape is the work of uplifted lava flows, sculpted by ice and time here in the southeast corner of Oregon. from the area until 1954. Scouting photos and logs show a non technical hike with maybe some Class II/III route finding towards the summit. The "Wild and Scenic" John Day River is recognized for outstanding General Information Directions: From Baker City, Oregon head north on Highway 30 toward Haines for approximately 10 miles; In Haines turn left and follow the Anthony Lake Highway signs for approximately 11 miles to 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 . the Mowich Look Wildlife Viewing Area is a good place to spy a variety Map Information. Go island camping at spectacular lake hidden in Oregon mountains, Diamond Peak: Climbing Oregon's misshapen mountain. Gorgeous Cascade lake. Road to Summit Lake Near Diamond Peak Oregon. By the time evening arrived, Id arranged a nice place for reading and star-watching. 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 a clear day, you can see more than 150 feet deep in the lakes sapphire waters the deepest point is 420 feet. 3106 Pierce Parkway SuiteD Look for rock "walls" 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). 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. And the view will be divine. Total of 76.4 miles via Crescent Lake and NF-398 which requires a high clearance vehicle. The only campground on Summit Lake. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure. All Rights Reserved. I brought my backpacking gear, an inflatable kayak and made sure to include a shovel. Season: Late June/July to September/October, depending on snow. These rocks are loose so choose your footing wisely and just take it slow. Thanked: 183 times in 105 posts. But the most endearing characteristic may be the many small islands that rest just off shore all the way around the lake. Mosquitoes. weekends and holidays throughout the summer months. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Nighttime low 38F. 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. 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 quicker route takes the turn-off to Crescent Lake and follows Forest Service Road 6010, one of the worst roads in the state, to 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. by Bubba Suess Fri Jun 22, 2012 3:25 am, Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 0 guests. For the best experience, bring a canoe or kayak and pack your gear onto the water, where youre allowed to camp at a number of islands and peninsulas. 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). Waldo Lake, less than a two hour drive from Eugene, Oregon is a pristine lake nestled into the Cascade Mountain range. Diamond Peak summit is one of the best and most underrated summit hikes in the Oregon Cascade range. 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. Note that the "road" into Summit Lake is a rutted and potholed dirt road that you really need a vehicle with some . Diamond Peak Via Pacific Crest Trail. Some sites/trip reports indicate a permit was needed to park but I couldn't that up and we didn't use/have one. These factors weighed heavily on my choosing Diamond Peak and this "southern route via Crescent and Summit Lakes." The river empties 44125 North Santiam Highway SE We had a successful summit, everything went to plan, and we all enjoyed ourselves. 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. All loaded up, I pushed off from the shoreline and onto the water. 503-854-3366, Sweet Home Ranger District Trailhead (Pacific Crest Trail) to campsite (Rockpile vs. Marie Lake), lunch, drop off extra gear, then on towards the summit. 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. You descend to a junction by another water tank (0.6 miles) where you'll turn left. 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 has a small first come first serve campground if you want to spend the night after a long day of summiting. The highway is signed east-west. Primitive campground. Share sensitive information only Summit Lake Campground is the little campground that could. Regional discussion and conditions reports for Washington and Oregon. I have a 2006 DR-Z400s and . The solitude is deeper and more satisfying you might score your own swimming hole or viewpoint, andthere's littleconcern of an obnoxious group showing up next door. No deviations from scouting report. 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. This trip, perhaps not very notable for much of the community here at Summit Post, was special to me for a few reasons. Map. Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. 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. La Grande, OR 97850 Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. 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. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/wallowa-whitman/recarea/?recid=80827. made by early Chinese gold miners along Granite Creek, as they set aside Then turn onto rough and rutted FSR 6010 for 6.5 miles to Summit Lake Campground. Its about protecting what sustains us. values, and is a popular destination for outdoor people. Detroit, OR 97342 I loved the beauty and solitude of the area and it's an easy drive from Eugene (where Alex lives), which allows easy access. 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. ) or https:// means you've safely Sleep early for pre-dawn start. Keep in mind this area is infested with mosquitoes from mid-June to mid-August. From Oakridge, head east on Highway 58 for 34 miles. Share sensitive information only It is the primary route between the Willamette Valley and south-central Oregon, including the Klamath Falls region. Even with these high clearance cars the 6 miles will likely take about 45 minutes to 1 . Country. 541-962-8500, 201 East Second St. Directions:There are two routes from Willamette Pass Highway 58 in Oakridge. (Unfortunately, this has become an issue around Summit Lake.) There are dispersed sites around the lake. The PCT junction with the Marie Lake Trail was clearly marked and we turned West towards Camp (sorry don't have a picture). Map Information, See accessible adventures at Detroit Lake & the McKenzie River Valley, Supervisor's Office United States. 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. 2023Outdoor Project. Length 13.8 miElevation gain 3,336 ftRoute type Out & back. Follow this paved road half a mile and then turn right onto FSR 21. To the south you will see Mt. Hipcamp makes it easy to find unique camping experiences. General Information Directions: From Sandy, OR - follow Highway 26 south approximately to Primary Forest Route 42. 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. The campground, then, is a great choice if one of the three spots is available when you arrive. Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, Minnesota. Mountain biking the trail that circles the lake also is popular, as is hiking to various spots in the Waldo Lake Wilderness. Ten miles down the road, gold was discovered in Bull Run Creek in 1862, and the town of Granite sprang up. Ten miles down the road, gold was discovered in Bull Run Creek in 1862, This road should not be attempted unless you have a very high clearance Jeep or 4Runner. From Pendleton, Oregon: Travel Interstate 84 east for 34 miles to Exit 243 (Mt. Turn right at signs for Crescent Lake and follow FSR 60 for 7.2 miles around the north side of the reservoir. Day Stats: Distance ~ 10.5 miles. Please take a short survey (5 minutes or less) and help us understand what features are most important to you and what we could improve about TripCheck services.Thank you. We integrate with the National Weather Service to provide valuable fire advisories to Hosts and Hipcampers. 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. Oregon Department of Transportation. United States. As a bonus, Odell and Crescent Lakes are nearby for frontcountry access and stagingpurposes(I chose Crescent Lake for this trip). The first is making camp at a developed campground or walk-in spot. Summit Lake Campground is the little campground that could. United States. Timpanogas and Indigo Lake: These two very pretty mountain lakes can be reached with a fairly short drive from Summit Lake. Would you recommend Summit Lake Campground? Three campgrounds on the shore offer quiet, peaceful places for families, friends and couples. In a nutshell: A very pretty mountain lake just south of the Diamond Peak Wilderness. Follow this paved road half a mile and then turn right onto FSR 21. Elevation: 3,100' gain, 2,700' loss. We made slow but steady progress to the false summit (about 3 pm) without issue. Turn left onto Timpanogas Road 2154. skiing and snowmobiling in winter. Your personal car/vehicle situation will largely determine this. 541-367-5168, McKenzie River Ranger District It was challenging enough to feel satisfying and a perfect way to introduce others to the outdoors. 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. 370). People do catch brook trout here, but theyre small and a challenge to hook given the clear water. ontoUS Forest Service Rd 21 then almost immediately turn, ontoNF-21. 509-758-0616, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest on Facebook, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest on Twitter. This trail is great for hiking and running, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Hipcamp is created with and hope for our future. 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. When Forest Road 73 ends Diamond Peak: Central or Southern Cascades? Turn left on Forest Road 2160 and continue for approximately 1 mile then turn . Reminder You can select the order of your own photos in your Host Dashboard so that they will show up exactly where you want them to on your listing. But that doesn't mean you need to let the fires win. The rest of the hike would definitely be rated easy to moderate. The Staley Fire is somewhatnear Timpanogas and Summit, but both remain open to the public. Butisland camping alsocanbe lonely, especially on a solo trip, without even the mainland chipmunks around to keep you company. But in order to enjoy it, youll have to make sure you are visiting Summit Lake after mosquito season, which sometimes ends as early as August. Summit Lake Campground is open Snowmelt to snowfall. Diamond Peak, southern route via Crescent/Summit Lakes. Backtrack to trailhead/car, drive to Crescent Lake, home. Ashland is one of the top free campsites in Oregon. Shortly after hitting timberline you will come to a very obvious spot where the rocky/boulder section starts. (541) 383-5300. . 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. It was my first backpacking trip with my 2 best friends (Alex and James; they had a combined 1 backcountry night between them prior to this). It was a simple backtrack down the Climber's trail, the PCT, and back to camp at Rockpile Lake for the night. 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. Granite, the Byway turns north onto Forest Road 73. and Anthony Lake (D to F) the road is often closed until July due to snow. camp at a number of islands and peninsulas, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The first thing that grabs your attention about Summit Lake is the clarity of the water. Looking for a real escape? 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. Continue straight ontoNF-770 for 0.7 miles, then continue ontoFS-6000.
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