Backpacker Magazine – October 1998

A Walk In Oregon's Volcanic Park

Hiking through Oregon's Jefferson Park puts you in the heart of what was once some pretty hot country.

by: Tom Bie

Tags:
• Oregon
|
• Adventures
|
• Weekends
|

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QUICK TAKE: Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, OR

DRIVE TIME: Mt. Jefferson Wilderness is about 100 miles (2 hours) south of Portland.

THE WAY: From Portland, take I-5 south to Salem, then OR 22 east to Detroit where you have a choice of either taking County Road 46 east about 10 miles to National Forest Road 4685, or continuing on OR 22 for an additional 10 miles to Whitewater Road (FR 2243, the turnoff is on the left), which you follow for 7.5 miles.

TRAILS: From the end of the Whitewater Road, it's about 5 miles of wooded trail to Jefferson Park. The South Breitenbush route is 6.2 miles with more elevation gain, and the PCT from Breitenbush Lake is 5.7 miles but requires a longer drive in. Other hiking options include the Hunts and Hanks Lake area (known as Hunts Cove), which is 4 miles beyond Pamelia Lake and makes a good two-day trip. Access is via the Pamelia Lake Trail No. 3439 off road 109, 13 miles south of Detroit.

ELEVATION: Jefferson Park sits at about 5,800 feet. The lowest elevation in the wilderness is about 3,000 feet.

CAN'T MISS: Breitenbush Hot Springs for a post-hike soak. It's located just off County Road 46, east of Detroit. It's privately run, and drop-ins are allowed only at certain times, so check in advance.

CROWD CONTROL: South Breitenbush Trail is the least busy of the access routes to Jefferson Park. Camp away from the lakes for prime-time privacy. Go midweek or in the off-season for real solitude.

MAPS: The best map is the Mount Jefferson Wilderness Map published by Geo-Graphics. It's available for $6.95 from the Detroit Ranger Station at the address below. Another good hiker-oriented map is Jefferson Wilderness Area ($3.30, Green Trails Maps, 206-546-6277).

PIT STOP: At the Cedars in Detroit, pancakes are still called flapjacks.

WALK SOFTLY: Campfires are not allowed in Jefferson Park. Lakeside camping is only at designated spots.

MORE INFORMATION: Detroit Ranger Station, Willamette National Forest, HC 73, Box 320, Mill City, OR 97360; (503) 854-3366. Heavy visitation has caused a limited-use permit system to be instituted at Pamelia Lake. Though free, permits must be obtained at the Detroit Ranger Station. All other hiking and camping permits are free and are available at the trailhead. Parking, however, is not free. Trail-Park passes cost $3 a day or $25 for a calendar year and are available from any of the regional Forest Service offices.

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