| NATIONAL PARKS QUICKLINKS | SUBSCRIBE | NEWSLETTERS | MAPS | VIDEOS | BLOGS | MARKETPLACE | CONTESTS |
 |
|
|
|
Breitenbush Lake to Jefferson Park via Park Ridge
Breitenbush Lake - Jefferson Park. 7.5 mile RT to the Ridge, 11 to Russell Lake.
Map Tools
Share Trip
- E-mail Trip
- Embed Map
- Social Bookmarks more bookmarks...
Download To
Create A Trip
Related Topics
Share your tales of travel & adventure with our step-by-step guide. Upload trail descriptions, photos, video, and more.
| Author: | echolynn |
| Activity: | Hiking |
| State: | Oregon (OR) |
| Distance: | 10.64 mi |
| Average Speed: | 1.5 mph - 0:39:39/mi |
| Duration: | 7:01:52 |
| Difficulty: | 6 / 10 |
| Rating: |
 1 rating(s)
|
Winding through a Cascade forest, this North approach to Park Ridge is less popular than other trails (thanks to the daunting road in to Breitenbush lake); but you should still expect to run into others day hikers, backpackers, and PCT through hikers.
Starting at a mudpuddle pond just West of the Lake itself, you quickly disappear into the woods. The trees, typical of many Cascades forests, don't provide much shade though - be sure to bring sunscreen and plenty of water, or a filter - there are a few small creeks offering refill. Along the way you catch beautiful views ranging from Jefferson itself to Mount Hood. Even in August (thanks to a late, cold spring?) the wildflowers were in abundance. So were the mosquitos. Huckleberries were not out yet, but are a possibility along the way.
The trail up to Park Ridge is a good workout, but a gentle gradient along the way. If you choose to descend into the park itself, you lose (and then gain on the way back) 2000 feet in 2 miles. This being on the PCT, the grade is never steep - but it can be challenging for those not used to long climbs.
TO TRAILHEAD: From I-5 at Salem, turn E on 22 to Detroit where you turn North on FR 46 and continue for 17 miles to a junction with Skyline Road (aka FR 4220). The next 6.5 miles to the trailhead require strong nerves, underinflated tires, and greater than the average passenger car ground clearance.
| Position Format: | Datum: |
Tracks
ACTIVE LOG
| Distance: 10.64 mi | Points: 857 | |
| Total Time: 7:01:52 | Speed: 1.5 mph | Pace: 39:39 / mi |
Points of Interest
Trailhead
Location: 44.765149, -121.78702315-AUG-09 10:55:43AM Park at a small pond just before Breitenbush Lake.
01
Location: 44.765180, -121.78705415-AUG-09 5:56:19PM Bear right onto main trail
Pyramid Butte
Location: 44.759625, -121.79977702
Location: 44.757826, -121.79678515-AUG-09 11:33:57AM To Pyramid Butte - stay left to get to Park Ridge
Trail
Location: 44.756044, -121.79668703
Location: 44.754717, -121.79821415-AUG-09 11:42:39AM Bridge
Trail Maintenance
Location: 44.753896, -121.79885404
Location: 44.752215, -121.80221015-AUG-09 5:18:12PM Cairns dot the landscape, especially above treeline. Keep a sharp eye out to follow these.
First View of Jefferson
Location: 44.749674, -121.80271605
Location: 44.737127, -121.79928615-AUG-09 12:22:18PM Cairns dot the landscape, especially above treeline. Keep a sharp eye out to follow these.
06
Location: 44.734454, -121.800812Many tracks diverge in this area. Follow the cairns.
Pond
Location: 44.734403, -121.80104307
Location: 44.733995, -121.800659It's easy to get off of the path in the snow and rocks - keep a sharp eye out for the cairns.
08
Location: 44.733692, -121.80045315-AUG-09 12:39:02PM Beautiful campsite
Campsite
Location: 44.733595, -121.801000Cairn Trail
Location: 44.731354, -121.800549Snow Crossing
Location: 44.730348, -121.801322Park Ridge South Approach
Location: 44.729037, -121.801472Mt Hood
Location: 44.728885, -121.802534Park Ridge
Location: 44.728789, -121.802276Amazing viewpoints abound here. Climb to the West along the Ridge for more views, or descend East and turn South into the Park itself to sit at the foot of Jefferson.
Alpine lake at Mt Jeff
Location: 44.728648, -121.802180Descending into Jeff Park
Location: 44.722832, -121.801214Wildflowers
Location: 44.718899, -121.802588Russell Lake
Location: 44.715361, -121.801643Don't forget the bugspray - and the fishing rod. But you won't be alone here.
Russell Lake
Location: 44.715361, -121.801772Related Trips
Comments Post a comment
0 Trip Comments
National Parks Hall of Fame
The best videos, photos, and beta
from Denali to the Smokies.
GearFinder
Find all the outdoor equipment you need.
Photo & Video Center
Essential gear, instruction, and more.
GPS Trails App for iPhone & Android
Locate, research, plan, and save trips on your smartphone.
