As well as being the third tallest mountain in the state of Oregon. Planned for night temps to low 40s. 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. 2023Outdoor Project. Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 2 min to complete. It was at this point we saw the first other people since the cabin at Crescent Lake; a small group of day hikers were making their way down "skiing" down the scree field (looked way more fun than trodding up). connected to the .gov website. up with the Blue Mountain Scenic Byway at the North Fork John Day Campground. At a Glance Activities Bicycling Hiking Horse Riding & Camping Map. Park. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock Description. Turn, /US Frst Service Rd. We reached the summit about 3:30 pm, took our pictures and put our names in the summit register. Three campgrounds on the shore offer quiet, peaceful places for families, friends and couples. Elevation: 3,100' gain, 2,700' loss. Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. There are 1-5 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 25 feet. Scouting photos and logs show a non technical hike with maybe some Class II/III route finding towards the summit. many who pushed west on the Oregon trail stopped short of the Willamette Try this 13.8-mile out-and-back trail near Crescent, Oregon. Easier day-hikes bring you to Rockpile and Marie lakes, while a more challenging adventure of 10 to 13 miles and 4,000 feet of climb bring you to the summit of Diamond Peak. From the false summit you will hike along Diamond Peak's spine another 0.4 miles to the top, gaining your last 545 feet of elevation. 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. The campground, then, is a great choice if one of the three spots is available when you arrive. There are dispersed campsites around the lake as well. Visit the Eastern Oregon Museum, which features Successful summit; Diamond Peak (8,744'), September 11 2016. Thankfully James' Subaru Outback handled it without problems (we went slow, it was brand spanking new). Regional discussion and conditions reports for Washington and Oregon. McKenzie Bridge, OR 97413 Turn, ontoNF-2612 for 1.2 miles. gold and some legendary characters like Skedaddle Smith, One-eyed Dick, Pass by a metal gate and begin an ascent along the Summit to Summit Motorway. South Sister via Devil's Lake Trailhead, Deschutes County, Oregon A five-pound 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. Zach Urness has been an outdoors writer, photographer and videographer in Oregon for nine years. Butisland camping alsocanbe lonely, especially on a solo trip, without even the mainland chipmunks around to keep you company. ", 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 The Summit to Summit event is on Saturday, May 6th, 2023, at the Summit Christian College campus in Gering, NE. They said Summit Lake gets a fair amount of visitors on August and September weekendsbut stays mostly quiet mid-week. Contact the Middle Fork Ranger District for details (541-782-2283). "Money itself is worth far more than anything you could possibly buy with it. 2023Outdoor Project. Even with these high clearance cars the 6 miles will likely take about 45 minutes to 1 . Summit Lake is home to a very small campground with three closely spaced sites with a bathroom and boat launch. 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. Summit Lake is the smallest and most remote of the three-lake sequence that sits in the glaciated basin just east of Diamond Peak. While the mines in the Elkhorn (For now!) 46375 Highway 58 Theres also a rustic shelter that can be rented it has a dirt floor and planks for beds, so dont expect the Hilton. Bachelor in the distance to the north. Their stories live on in Granite's abandoned buildings. We had a successful summit, everything went to plan, and we all enjoyed ourselves. Leaving 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. made by early Chinese gold miners along Granite Creek, as they set aside The best times to visit this trail are June through November. until you reach Baker City. I parked near the boat ramp, inflated my kayak and began loading up gear. 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 onto Forest Service Road 3113 and travel about 0.8 miles to the access road to Summit Guard Station. It's unmarked but noted to be a "well worn booth path" with a cairn marking its junction with the PCT. Westfir, OR 97492 For 80 years, boisterous Granite produced gold and some legendary characters . This is the last push to the false summit. The TripCheck website provides roadside camera images and detailed information about Oregon road traffic congestion, incidents, weather conditions, services and commercial vehicle restrictions and registration. The roads are mostly paved to four campgrounds. Some sites/trip reports indicate a permit was needed to park but I couldn't that up and we didn't use/have one. Santiam Summit to Square Lake and Round Lake Trail. All Rights Reserved. ) or https:// means you've safely The next morning Id do more swimming and exploringbefore packing up and leaving Berry Island for the next traveler. Theres something unique about camping on an island. Diamond Peak is absolutely incredible and one of Oregon's most underrated summits! From Chambers Lakes: From Sisters, drive 1.4 miles west on McKenzie Pass Highway, aka Oregon 242. Oregon. Looking for a real escape? Go island camping at spectacular lake hidden in Oregon mountains, Diamond Peak: Climbing Oregon's misshapen mountain. The first thing that grabs your attention about Summit Lake is the clarity of the water. Checking Summit Lake trail (NF-398) 5-30-2016 Oregon Cascades - YouTube All rights reserved. The trail takes you through a beautiful forest and past many small ponds. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 7 h 28 min to complete. 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). Day Stats: Distance ~ 10.5 miles. Season: Late June/July to September/October, depending on snow. Road to Summit Lake Near Diamond Peak Oregon. LockA locked padlock You will still have great views from there towards the south as well as to the east and west. Mountains eventually stopped producing, agriculture and the arrival of 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. Difficult to reach. 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. to a downhill ski resort that's served up great powder since 1933. It has great flow when ridden from south to north. passengers to the town of Sumpter; the Dodger runs four times daily on Soon, the Byway turns west and joins the Powder River. Learn more about our photo removal policy if you would like to proceed with flagging this photo for removal. Directions: From Oakridge, continue east on Highway 58 for 1.8 miles to a "Hills Creek Dam" sign between mileposts 37 and 38. This option requires more planning and there are plenty of regulations about where youre allowed to put down a tent. In addition to the recreational opportunities on Summit Lake, the campground is just steps away from the Pacific Crest Trail and the hike to Diamond Peak and Marie and Rockpile Lakes. Its about nourishment and learning. We integrate with the National Weather Service to provide valuable fire advisories to Hosts and Hipcampers. For 80 years, boisterous Granite produced This made the trip an easier sell to Alex who enjoys his creature comforts (running water, cold beer) and facilitated logistics overall. . trout; a half-mile long paved trail offers river access. We reached camp just after 6pm. For a greater challenge, tackle Cowhorn Mountain. Summit Lake | Outdoor Project Coordinates: 43.46253, -122.13376 Waldo Lake I loved the beauty and solitude of the area and it's an easy drive from Eugene (where Alex lives), which allows easy access. 1 post Page 1 of 1. Many crossovers/CUVs/light SUVs could probably handle the road but just be aware: it's not a matter of traction (having AWD). Close to adventures. Its about protecting what sustains us. Country. The higher you get the looser and more sand-like the terrain becomes. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/wallowa-whitman/recarea/?recid=80827. From Oakridge, head east on Highway 58 for 2 miles and turn right at a sign for Hills Creek Dam. 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. At a junction turn, NF-398 at a sign for Summit Lake. 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. 2023 www.statesmanjournal.com. Directions:There are two routes from Willamette Pass Highway 58 in Oakridge. and the town of Granite sprang up. 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. Summit Lake Campground | Outdoor Project Boat ramp. Oregon" (pop. The upside is that you will enjoy warm, swimmable water, clear and warm summer nights, and a host of excellent hiking and biking opportunities. Primitive campground. The "Wild and Scenic" John Day River is recognized for outstanding 1935 is on display in a park at the edge of town; it's rumored to be haunted The trail passes through common alpine vegetation of mountain hemlock, lodgepole pine, western white pine, Pacific silver fir and whitebark pine. This trail is great for hiking and running, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. ontoUS Forest Service Rd 21 then almost immediately turn, ontoNF-21. The trailhead is located approximately 1 mile further on the right side of the road. Diamond Peak. Leg 2 (Camp to Climber's Trail) is another ~ 2 miles/+700' along the PCT. It is the primary route between the Willamette Valley and south-central Oregon, including the Klamath Falls region. Fishing, from what I was told, is not good here. Backtrack to trailhead/car, drive to Crescent Lake, home. If you have trekking poles, put them away at the false summit so that you can have both of your hands free for maneuvering, (view of the spine from the false summit - picture by Holly Voltin). The Byway turns Back to camp. For the way down, be careful to not go the wrong way. From Oakridge, head east on Highway 58 for 34 miles. To begin your Leaving Sumpter, the Byway climbs to take in dramatic views of the Elkhorns, eventually reaching Blue Springs Summit (5,864 ft.), a popular snowmobiling venue. It is the youngest, geologically speaking having the most recent volcanic activity of the Three Sisters. We have a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination at Hipcamp and are committed to helping our Host and Hipcamper community be inclusive. Timpanogas also makes a wonderful base camp for hiking or backpacking. Joseph, OR 97846 Summit Lake Campground is the little campground that could. into Phillips Lake, which is a popular boating and fishing spot. United States. 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. Granite, the Byway turns north onto Forest Road 73. One area where the fires haven't been quite so bad isWillamette Pass, southeast of Eugene. 541-426-5546, Clarkston - Hells Canyon National Recreation Area, 2535 Riverside Drive Even with these high clearance cars the 6 miles will likely take about 45 minutes to 1 hour to navigate. Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock It was a simple backtrack down the Climber's trail, the PCT, and back to camp at Rockpile Lake for the night. I, not being from Oregon and having to fly in, was dependent on others for the drive in to the trailhead. The portion of the PCT from Summit Lake to Diamond Peak provides the most popular approach route for climbing Diamond Peak. The lake rewards every effort, and the campground provides some of the more open camping areas around the lake. Bicycles and motorized vehicles are not permitted. I spent the rest of the day exploring surrounding islands and peninsulas and found many other outstanding campsites and unsuccessfully trying to catch fish. 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. Wallowa-Whitman National Forest - Summit Lake Trailhead View Diamond Peak, southern route via Crescent/Summit Lakes Image Gallery - 14 Images. east and climbs its apex at Elkhorn Mountain Summit (7,392 ft.). ( the railroad helped Baker City outlive many similar boom towns. Exposure on the summit but otherwise forested. The trail is open to foot and horse (or other pack stock) travel only. I have a 2006 DR-Z400s and . Small. the town had 15 saloons, three newspapers, and an opera house. Eugene visitors have the option of accessing NF-398 from the south side of the lake via NF-2154 and NF-21, which begins east of Oakridge. 370). 2023 Hipcamp, Inc. All rights reserved. The result is sapphire-tinted water so clear you can see your boats shadow on the bottom of the lake. 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. on official, secure websites. Mosquitoes are very bad until late August. For this story, Im spotlighting my three favorite lakes in the area Timpanogas, Summit and Waldo. Summit to Summit Motorway - Nobody Hikes in LA The rest of the hike would definitely be rated easy to moderate. Hike the PCT: The Pacific Crest Trail runs alongside Summit Lake and can be hiked to the north or south. Occasionally Diamond Peak would come into view, peeking through the trees, a concrete reminder of our goal. Ten miles down the road, gold was discovered in Bull Run Creek in 1862, 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. This trip, perhaps not very notable for much of the community here at Summit Post, was special to me for a few reasons. Real-time Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watch Warnings help keep our community safe. 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. Find him on Facebook at Zachs Oregon Outdoors or @ZachsORoutdoors on Twitter. 57600 McKenzie Hwy Three miles past Indigo Springs Campground, turn left on Timpanogas Road 2154. An official website of the 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. Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, Minnesota. 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. If that hike seems a little much, you can always stop at Marie and Rockpile Lakes, or explore Timpanogas Lake a little farther down the road. I wasted no time setting up my tent and organizing camp, then celebrating with a cool swim. Turn left onto the access road and follow the road to the right. Distance: 106 miles #1. the business district was destroyed by fire in 1917, gold was extracted Summit Guard Station Bunkhouse - Recreation.gov Summit Lake - East Mountain Biking Trail - Oregon - Trailforks Map Information. Both the North Powder River (#1632) and Summit Lake Trails (#1635) begin at this trailhead. 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. Leg 3 (Climber's Trail) would be the "toughest section." Turn off PCT to the unmarked "Climber's Trail" to the false summit then summit. All Hipcampers should review and adhere to these standards for safety, trip preparation, and respect in order to uphold Hipcamps most important value: leave it better.. LockA locked padlock Call a ranger to learn more about this camp at United States. Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 56 min to complete. 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. 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). Timpanogas and Indigo Lake: These two very pretty mountain lakes can be reached with a fairly short drive from Summit Lake. Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. Mosquitoes. Nearby, But the most endearing characteristic may be the many small islands that rest just off shore all the way around the lake. Further, and rather unfortunately, many of these pullouts have a close perimeter of human waste left by campers too lazy to bring a shovel. Mt. Hood National Forest - Summit Lake Campground - US Forest Service Diamond Peak summit is one of the best and most underrated summit hikes in the Oregon Cascade range. He is the author of the book Hiking Southern Oregon and can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. They might be covered by smoke during a trip, but that will depend on which way the wind is blowing. Detroit, OR 97342 Photos. By the time evening arrived, Id arranged a nice place for reading and star-watching. Longer but less rough route:From Oakridge, head east on Highway 58 for 2 miles and turn right at a sign for Hills Creek Dam. Follow this paved road half a mile and then turn right onto FSR 21. Development: Small campground with three official sites, small boat ramp and pit toilet. Day Stats: Distance ~ 10.5 miles. . Its about more than standing on the mountain top. We arrived at the trailhead (PCT) parking lot (just NNW of Summit Lake), 2 other cars were there (could see 1 tent pitched near Summit Lake) but didn't see/hear any people. At the fringe of treeline the climb turns into its steepest part (and a solid Class II) but there's still good footing. That particular trip was my first to the Cascades and Oregon. Diamond Peak and Marie and Rockpile Lakes. Drop some Summit Lake Campground knowledge on us. As planned, the trip was a complete success. You descend to a junction by another water tank (0.6 miles) where you'll turn left. It goes through the forest and past many lakes and ponds. Though Turn, to stay onNF-2154 for 2.5 miles. Baker City, OR 97814 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. Turn left at a very faint sign for Summit Lake and FSR 6010 and follow this awful. This trailhead provides access for the Pacific Crest Trail at Summit Lake. Note: Some of the data is off due to the different combinations of information sources (topo maps, GPS tracker) I spliced together. 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 road should not be attempted unless you have a very high clearance Jeep or 4Runner. continues west, past fields of dredge tailings (the earth disturbed by Shorter but very rough route:This route includes a long stretch on a very rutted, difficult-to-drive road. Download the Pacific Northwest Forest Service Recreation App! By continuing below, you agree to Hipcamps. 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. Ashland. Activities Bicycling Camping & Cabins Fishing Baker Valley and the distant Wallowa Mountains. 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. It wasnt much less than an acre in size but it had character. (Unfortunately, this has become an issue around Summit Lake.) Shorter but very rough route: This route includes a long stretch on a very rutted, difficult to drive road. A small wooden sign proclaimed the site Berry Island (elevation 5,650 feet), the perfect nighttime home. Follow this paved road 32 miles. Unlike Odell Lake and Crescent Lake, Summit Lake has no major, single stream to feed it. Unlike Odell Lake and Crescent Lake, Summit Lake has no major, single stream to feed it. Summit Lake is the smallest and most remote of the three-lake sequence that sits in the glaciated basin just east of Diamond Peak. 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 . Because the rocks are loose you have to watch your footing carefully. 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. website belongs to an official government organization in the