Zach Urness has been an outdoors writer, photographer and videographer in Oregon for nine years. 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. . Everyone arrived as planned without issues, gear checked and remaining items (fuel, food) readied and car packed. 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. Follow this paved road half a mile and then turn right onto FSR 21. We awoke on time (pre-dawn) for breakfast and final gear and weather check; however we deliberately waited for daylight to ensure we could safely navigate FR-368. Diamond Peak Via Pacific Crest Trail. Follow this road and signs for Summit Lake about 6.5 miles to a major (but barely marked) junction. Follow 4200-141 west about one mile to the campground. But at least you wont have to pay for the privilege. The trailhead is located approximately 1 mile further on the right side of the road. Fair warning. Try driving here in a low-clearance vehicle and your muffler might fall off. The Pacific Crest Trail meanders around Summit Lake, and the section that heads north is one of the most popular approaches for Diamond Peak. This road should not be attempted unless you have a very high clearance Jeep or 4Runner. Diamond Peak summit is one of the best and most underrated summit hikes in the Oregon Cascade range. Its about protecting what sustains us. Here you won't see any rock cairns, but it's easy to see that you just go straight up. We reached camp just after 6pm. By clicking Agree and join Hipcamp, I agree to Hipcamps. Summit Lake is the smallest and most remote of the three-lake sequence that sits in the glaciated basin just east of Diamond Peak. Diamond Peak. Three miles past Indigo Springs Campground, turn left on Timpanogas Road 2154. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports. 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. Trailhead address: Old Topanga Canyon Road & Summit to Summit Motorway, Topanga, CA 90290. These factors weighed heavily on my choosing Diamond Peak and this "southern route via Crescent and Summit Lakes." Ashland is one of the top free campsites in Oregon. Beyond Phillips Lake, a side road leads to the Sumpter Valley Railroad ( We believe good things come from people spending time outside. Dogs are welcome and may be off-leash in some areas. It connects the Cowhorn Creek Trail to Summit Lake. The experience here is classic remote car camping. 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. Mountains eventually stopped producing, agriculture and the arrival of It is exactly 1.06 miles to the false summit and you will gain a whopping 1,800 feet of elevation in just that one mile! At the fringe of treeline the climb turns into its steepest part (and a solid Class II) but there's still good footing. The Climber's Trail at first isn't well defined but multiple paths can be easily made (just point yourself "up" to the high point). Enter your email below to be notified when we get access. Then bear right onto Road 21 and follow this paved route 31.2 miles. Access to the campground is rough in good conditions, and excessive rain may make the road impassible, not to mention snow. We reached camp just after 6pm. There is a lot of wildlife here and in fall it is a popular hunting area. All rights reserved. At its western end, Dead Indian Road begins at its junction with Highway 66, just outside Ashland; at its east end, the road junctions with Highway 140 at Lake of the Woods. Timpanogas and Indigo Lake: These two very pretty mountain lakes can be reached with a fairly short drive from Summit Lake. (For now!) 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. Day Stats: Distance ~ 10.5 miles. Best Time to Visit: Summer and Fall; Between Granite Turn, to stay onNF-2154 for 2.5 miles. on official, secure websites. From The next morning Id do more swimming and exploringbefore packing up and leaving Berry Island for the next traveler. The route across the "saddle" to the true summit was straightforward with minimal elevation gain, easy Class I/II terrain but one particular gendarme resulted in a short stretch of Class III scrambling. Navigating the way down with the GPS track that you recorded when going up will be very helpful. Photos. I spent the rest of the day exploring surrounding islands and peninsulas and found many other outstanding campsites and unsuccessfully trying to catch fish. Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, Minnesota. Phone Number. 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. 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 first thing that grabs your attention about Summit Lake is the clarity of the water. I lay in the sun and read, then take a chilly dip when it gets warm. Ten miles down the road, gold was discovered in Bull Run Creek in 1862, The haze is pretty much everywhere across the state given the number of fires burning. and '49 Jimmie, whose only companion was a rooster with whom he shared offer picturesque settings for camping and fishing, plus cross-country Drop some Summit Lake Campground knowledge on us. Its about protecting what sustains us. and the town of Granite sprang up. Heading north takes you into the Diamond Peak Wilderness, withhighlights such as Rockpile and Marie lakes. Summit Lake, which alsoishome to a boat ramp, outhouse and small campground, is a classic high-risk, high-reward outdoor experience. Their thoughts are someone else's opinions, their lives a mimicry, their passions a quotation." #1. Exposure on the summit but otherwise forested. (Unfortunately, this has become an issue around Summit Lake.) Summit Lake - East Details. Take the exit and at the stop sign turn left. 2023Outdoor Project. Island camping: There are many boat-in campsites where its possible to make camp via canoe or kayak. into Phillips Lake, which is a popular boating and fishing spot. Backtrack to trailhead/car, drive to Crescent Lake, home. The highlight is an easy-moderate hike of 5 miles round-trip to stunning Indigo Lake. 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. 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. The best times to visit this trail are June through November. 370). Clarkston, WA 99403 Anthony Lake, the Byway descends abruptly, capturing superb views of the 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. gold and some legendary characters like Skedaddle Smith, One-eyed Dick, values, and is a popular destination for outdoor people. The trail passes through common alpine vegetation of mountain hemlock, lodgepole pine, western white pine, Pacific silver fir and whitebark pine. Detroit, OR 97342 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. Difficult to reach. This is just one of the great singletrack trails in the Crescent Lake area. its glory days when miners produced over $10 million in gold ore, and Backcountry sites. Directions: From Oakridge, continue east on Highway 58 for 1.8 miles to a Hills Creek Dam sign between mileposts 37 and 38. Before you leave town, be sure to gas up, as no services are available The weather continued to be perfect so we didn't feel rushed. enchanting natural beauty of the Elkhorn Mountains. But the most endearing characteristic may be the many small islands that rest just off shore all the way around the lake. Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors. Follow this paved road half a mile and then turn right onto FSR 21. Baker Valley and the distant Wallowa Mountains. Grabbing your own little island in the sun on a pristine Cascade lake with a view of Diamond Peak isn't a bad way to pass the time. Crowds: Moderate. Total of 76.4 miles via Crescent Lake and NF-398 which requires a high clearance vehicle. 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. until you reach Baker City. Fire restrictions stillwerein place, so I was without a campfire, which is just as well since Id need to haul out wood from the mainland. This route may be longer, and it still has very rough sections, but much less of them. Elevation: 3,100' gain, 2,700' loss. Oregon, United States, North America . . Trailhead (Pacific Crest Trail) to campsite (Rockpile vs. Marie Lake), lunch, drop off extra gear, then on towards the summit. Wallowa-Whitman National Forest Headquarters and WhitmanRanger District, 1550 Dewey Ave Indeed, Primitive campground. 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. I wasted no time setting up my tent and organizing camp, then celebrating with a cool swim. 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. Development: Small campground with three official sites, small boat ramp and pit toilet. Uncrowded. 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). We had a successful summit, everything went to plan, and we all enjoyed ourselves. The trail takes you through a beautiful forest and past many small ponds. Hipcamp makes it easy to find unique camping experiences. From Pendleton, Oregon: Travel Interstate 84 east for 34 miles to Exit 243 (Mt. General Information Directions: From Sandy, OR - follow Highway 26 south approximately to Primary Forest Route 42. Oregon Route 138 is an Oregon state highway that runs between the city of Elkton and a junction with U.S. Route 97 at Diamond Lake Junction. Hike up South Sister (10,358 ft.), Oregon's third tallest mountain, for incredible views and a great introduction to high-altitude hiking. Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. (Cutting wood from the islands few trees would not be responsible). Keep in mind this area is infested with mosquitoes from mid-June to mid-August. This 106-mile loop is a voyage through gold booms, ghost towns and the Follow the road along the ridge, passing by a few scattered oaks and willows. All these factors made it an easy decision to return for a summit run. I parked near the boat ramp, inflated my kayak and began loading up gear. Directions: From Oakridge, continue east on Highway 58 for 1.8 miles to a "Hills Creek Dam" sign between mileposts 37 and 38. The lake rewards every effort, and the campground provides some of the more open camping areas around the lake. 1935 is on display in a park at the edge of town; it's rumored to be haunted Options. Map Information, See accessible adventures at Detroit Lake & the McKenzie River Valley, Supervisor's Office Coordinates: 43.46253, -122.13376 ADVENTURES NEAR SUMMIT LAKE Diamond Peak is absolutely incredible and one of Oregon's most underrated summits! 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). Theres also a rustic shelter that can be rented it has a dirt floor and planks for beds, so dont expect the Hilton. 4431 Highway 20 From a parking area just below the summit of Steens Mountain, this 2.5-mile hike (1.25 each way) descends 1200 feet into a cirque at the head of Wildhorse Canyon to the shores of Wildhorse Lake. Follow this paved road 32 miles. A small wooden sign proclaimed the site Berry Island (elevation 5,650 feet), the perfect nighttime home. You will still have great views from there towards the south as well as to the east and west. The "Wild and Scenic" John Day River is recognized for outstanding Road to Summit Lake Near Diamond Peak Oregon. 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. He is the author of the book Hiking Southern Oregon and can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Hard 4.4 (40) Deschutes National Forest. Personally, I love bringing a hammock, lunch and book to Indigo. As planned, the trip was a complete success. Share sensitive information only Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock 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. It was a simple backtrack down the Climber's trail, the PCT, and back to camp at Rockpile Lake for the night. Summit Lake Campground is the little campground that could. 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. They extend nearly 80 miles, from the Red Rock Valley in California to Warner Canyon, which lies immediately east of Lakeview, Oregon. From the junction the climber trail immediately starts going steeply uphill. All rights reserved. 44125 North Santiam Highway SE There are dispersed campsites around the lake as well. All Rights Reserved. And that means you might have a little slice of Summit Lake all to yourself. 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). We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. website belongs to an official government organization in the fisheries, water quality, scenery, recreation, wildlife, and historical Both the North Powder River (#1632) and Summit Lake Trails (#1635) begin at this trailhead. 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 . After the less-than-enjoyable drive, I arrived at Summit Lake and got my first view. Just be sure to check the. Know as well that all the roads around Summit Lake are primitive at best, and youll want a high-clearance, four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicle to negotiate them. Deschutes National Forest. Turn left on gravel Road 15 for 10. . You descend to a junction by another water tank (0.6 miles) where you'll turn left. Try visiting in June, July or early August and youll get massacred by bloodthirsty hoards of tiny vampires that seem to laugh out loud if you try mosquito repellant. The result is sapphire-tinted water so clear you can see your boats shadow on the bottom of the lake. The jagged 509-758-0616, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest on Facebook, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest on Twitter. Follow this paved road half a mile and then turn right onto FSR 21.