Wapinitia Pass to Little Crater Lake Hike

Overview

The Pacific Crest Trail rolls along the Cascade crest south of Mount Hood in a dry woodland that supports at least 12 species of conifers. This section of the trail sees few day hikers, but has its particular charms. There are views to Mount Hood and Salmon River Meadows, since 2009 a designated wilderness area. Huckleberries are a constant distraction along the trail in late summer. The destination is Little Crater Lake, a deep artesian spring reminiscent of some of the geyser pools in Yellowstone. This is an "easy" 15 miles, but the the hike can also be done as a car shuttle, with the return vehicle being parked at the Little Crater Lake Trailhead. Access to the Pacific Crest Trail #2000 is to the left of the restrooms at the vast Frog Lake Sno-Park. Walk a few yards past a picnic table to a T-junction and go left under mountain hemlocks and silver firs shading a bear-grass carpet. The trail crosses Highway 26 and comes to the Pacific Crest-Blue Box Trail Junction. Continue straight and gradually upward in a coniferous forest of silver fir, Douglas-fir, western hemlock, mountain hemlock, noble fir, rhododendron, bear-grass and huckleberry. The trail soon begins to drop slightly. There are glimpses through the trees of the Salmon River Valley below. Note the lightning scars on a lot of these ridge trees. The trail traverses above a clearcut with great views over to Salmon River Meadows and Mount Hood. The white building visible is the Mt. Hood Summer Ski Camp by the Chevron station along Highway 26. Pass above a talus field with its skirt of vine maple that turns red in the fall. Then there’s another clearcut with views back to the meadows and the mountain. The trail drops, passing a clearcut on the left. The path levels among big trees, especially Douglas-fir and noble fir, with another view of Mount Hood above a clearcut. The tread rises along the ridge and threads between clearcuts, and then drops gently among younger trees, mainly silver fir. An old trail leads down to the right. Pass through an area of l

Trail Stats

Photos

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