3.2 hr
Overview
The Gumjuwac Trail gives the shortest access to the Badger Creek Wilderness for hikers coming from the west side of the Cascades. The shorter drive time, and the luxury of beginning from a paved road rather than the rough tracks that lead closer to Badger Lake, make it an excellent option for a day hike in the wilderness. The path switchbacks up to Gumjuwac Saddle for two and a half miles, and then you can descend into the Badger Creek valley to make a loop through dry meadows, shady montane forest with several springs, and large patches of huckleberries. The destination is Badger Lake itself, a serene expanse of water that can also be reached by high-clearance vehicles. From the trailhead on the north side of the East Fork Hood River road bridge, switchback up three times to the junction with the old trail. Douglas-fir, western red-cedar and western hemlock dominate. As you rise, larger Douglas-firs appear. Make six more switchbacks, traverse up, switchback, and then traverse up again. Enter the silver fir zone and make two more switchbacks under a rocky outcrop. Mountain hemlock, lodgepole pine, and western white pine enter the mix. Switchback again and round a rocky promontory which affords a spectacular view of Mount Hood. Chinquapin and manzanita are the predominant shrubs. Begin a long, fairly level traverse under silver fir, noble fir, mountain hemlock and Engelmann spruce. Pass above two springs, the second one, Jack Spring, right below the trail. Finally, reach Gumjuwac Saddle on the Bennett Pass Road (FR 3550). The historic sign that details the purported origin of the saddle's name has recently (2014) been repaired and reinstalled. Trails head off from here in five directions. Continue on Gumjuwac Trail #480 straight across the road. The trail drops in silver fir woods. There are views to Lookout Mountain. Switchback in a lush elderberry thicket and cross a creek. There are meadows rimmed by noble fir. Pass under some large spruces and through more meadows supporting lush growths of arrow-leaf gro
Trail Stats
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961 m
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Photos
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