Hunchback Mountain Hike

Overview

This stiff hike begins from a trailhead next to the Zigzag Ranger Station on Highway 26. It is an excellent conditioning hike and the terrain is wild and rugged, especially considering its proximity to a main thoroughfare. You will hike up a rocky ridge with some picturesque outcroppings offering viewpoints: do not be surprised if you notice sign of both coyote and cougar. A couple of longer options are also possible: see the Devils Peak from Hunchback Mountain Hike and also consider a hike/bike. (Stash your bike at the lower end of the Old Salmon River Trail, hike up the Hunchback Mountain Trail, then down Green Canyon Way to pick up the trail along the Salmon River to get to your bike.) The Hunchback Mountain Trail #793 begins on the south side of the parking area under Douglas-fir, western red-cedar, western hemlock, and big-leaf maple on a carpet of lady fern, deer fern, sword fern, and salal. The trail switchbacks at a spring house and rises to another switchback at the new wilderness sign and a small cistern/dam. There are two more switchbacks and then a traverse before another switchback. The trail levels at a ridgecrest of Oregon grape and sword fern and then drops to a saddle. From here, the trail heads up and switchbacks, traverses, switchbacks, and then passes under mossy ramparts. There are three short switchbacks at another rocky outcropping. Pass a campsite and then wind up before switchbacking five times to more mossy ramparts. There are three more switchbacks to higher rocky palisades and then a traverse along the slope through rhododendrons. Wind up to the ridge crest, then drop slightly to traverse the western slope of the ridge through a carpet of salal. There’s a short, steep drop down an open manzanita slope. A spur left leads to a viewpoint over the Still Creek valley. The trail drops past an andesite outcrop and then winds steeply up to the breccia/rimrock cliffs. From here, the top of Mount Hood is visible on a clear day. The trail drops and traverses up the east side of a steep slope

Trail Stats

Photos

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