Devils Half Acre-Palmateer Point Loop Hike

Overview

Reserve this pleasant loop for a sunny summer day when you can appreciate the views and the summer wildflower displays. You'll begin on a section of the Barlow Toll Road and pass the Oregon Trail campsite at Devils Half Acre Meadow. Then head up a slope and take in the views and wildflowers at Palmateer Point. The next destination is serene Upper Twin Lake, which also offers a picturesque vista to Mount Hood. The hike back along the Ghost Ridge section of the Pacific Crest Trail follows the divide between the eastern and western drainages south of Mount Hood. A shorter option, just under six miles, skips Upper Twin Lake. From the Palmateer View-Palmateer Tie Trail Junction south of Palmateer Point, go left and then right when you get to the Twin Lakes Trail. Make another right to reach the Pacific Crest Trail and walk back along Ghost Ridge. Head across the parking area to the trail junction at the picnic table (with garbage can) and fading ski trail map. Go straight downhill from here on an original track of the old wagon trail. Reach the rough and narrow vehicle road (FR 3530), and descend 40 yards to where the Barlow Butte Trail #670/Mineral Jane Ski Trail branches off to the left. The trail follows the wagon road down into a deep old-growth forest of Douglas-fir, western hemlock, silver fir, and Engelmann spruce. Look for some impressive Douglas-firs here. Reach the Barlow Butte-Devils Half Acre Trail Junction. It should be noted that this little meadow was the site of an excavation in 1976 during which a number of Oregon Trail artifacts were found. Based on this, some think the meadow was the site of Fort Deposit, mentioned in trail diaries, where a rough cabin once stood, and where late-arriving emigrants, wanting to travel light over the passes, left possessions and wagons for a late spring retrieval. Keep straight here (left is to Barlow Butte). The trail crosses two small streams and drops gradually on an old road bed among large noble fir, silver fir, and Engelmann spruce. The path levels and c

Trail Stats

Photos

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400px-DevilsHalfAcrePalmateerMap

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250px-TwinLakesWapinitia2

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250px-Creamy_stonecrop_%28Sedum_oregonense%29%2C_Palmateer_Point

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250px-Devil%27s_Half_Acre_and_Palmateer_Ridge

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400px-Mt

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