Hiking Trails on the McKenzie Pass - Santiam
Pass Oregon Scenic Byway

summit on the santiam pass mckenzie pass oregon scenic byway: travel oregon in the willamette national forest in the cascade mountains of oregon: the cascades viewed from atop the mckenzie pass santiam pass oregon scenic byway: mt washington, broken top, mt jefferson. Find hiking trails in the scenic mckenzie travel corridor of the willamette national forest: lava river hiking trail, proxy waterfalls hiking trail, linton lake hiking trails, scott mountain hiking trails, lave river hiking trails from dee wright observatory on the summit of santiam pass mckenzie pass oregon scenic byway. find hiking trails in the jefferson wilderness area, the 3 sisters wilderness area, the mt washington wilderness areas of the willamette national forest. travel oregon on the west cascades national scenic byway, the mckenzie pass, the santiam pass oregon scenic byway, one of the many scenic byways of oregon, in the cascade mountains of oregon, along wild and scenic rivers in oregon: the clackamas river, the wild and scenic mckenzie river, the wild and scenic north fork of the middle fork of the willamette river, see waterfalls, volcanoes, lava flows. hiking trails through old growth forests, along rivers, in wilderness areas. Soak in hot springs along rivers: bagby hot springs, terwilliger hot springs, cougar hot springs, hike to sahalie waterfalls, koosah waterfalls on the mckenzie river, proxy waterfalls in the willamette national forest on hwy 242, the mckenzie pass, santiam pass, oregon scenic byway, marion creek waterfalls off the santiam river, hike to mountain lakes along creeks. hiking trails in the willamette national forest, hiking trails in the willamette national forests of oregon, hiking trails in the mt hood national forest of oregon, hiking trails in the three sisters wilderness in the willamette national forest in the cascade mountains of oregon, hiking trails in the waldo lake wilderness in the willamette national forest in the cascade mountains of oregon, hiking trails in the diamond peak wilderness area in the willamette national forest in the cascade mountains of oregon, hiking trails in the mt washington wilderness area of the willamette national forest in the cascade mountains of oregon, hiking trails in the wilderness areas of our national forests, hiking trails to the obsidian cliffs, along the mckenzie river: hiking trails on the the mckenaize river: the mckenzie river national recreation trail, waterfalls loop trail, camping in old growth forests all the west cascades national scenic byway in oregon.

... Mt Washington & the Yapooah Crater Lava Flows

Hwy 242, or the Santiam Pass - Mckenzie Pass Oregon Scenic Byway, is closed during with winter. Check with the USFS Willamette National Forest to make certain when it opens. Oftentimes, fire in the forest impedes vision later in the summer, so plan for this as well.

There are many hiking trails to access on the Santiam Pass - McKenzie Pass Oregon Scenic Byway, hwy 242, accessed 2 miles after the Ranger Station on hwy 126, the McKenzie Pass.

Some are hiking trails easy and some more difficult. I'm listing just a few here.

Water must either be brought in or treated. Some of the trails offer a vault toilet. Proxy Falls for one. Most don't.

Proxy Waterfalls Trailhead

Heading west to the summit, access the trailhead to Proxy Falls 10 miles after the turnoff from hwy 126, the McKenzie Pass. Located in the Three Sisters Wilderness area, this one way loop hiking trail travels through open lava fields - I thought the rock formations interesting, and dense forest. It offers two lovely, yet distinctly different, waterfalls. The hiking trail is very popular, so be sure to follow the route as signed to avoid congestion. The Willamette National Forest rates this trail as easy with some steep approaches the for the first half mile. A Northwest Forest Pass is required. Parking is available on both sides of hwy 242.

Linton Lake Trailhead

To find the hiking trail to Linton Lake: Drive about 11 miles east from the turnoff on 126, the McKenzie Pass. The hike is 1.5 miles one way and located in the Three Sisters Wilderness area. A view of Linton Waterfalls is offered from the hiking trails. The forest service rates this trail as easy to moderate. It's a popular hiking trail and parking is limited, so plan ahead. A Northwest Forest Pass is required, as well as a Wilderness Self Issue Permit.

Obsidian Cliffs Trailhead

To find the hiking trail to the Obsidian Cliffs in the Three Sisters Wilderness area, drive 16.7 miles from the turnoff with hwy 126, the McKenzie Pass to the Obsidian Trailhead. The trailhead is clearly marked. The trail is 4.2 miles. It begins at an elevation of 4800 and ends at 6000 feet. It's one of the more popular hiking trails. It accesses the Three Sisters Wilderness Area, as well as the Pacific Crest Trail. The Willamette National Forest rates this trail as difficult. A Northwest Forest Pass is required, as well as a Limited Area Permit. Limited Area permits for this hike can be obtained at the McKenzie Ranger Station for the Willamette National Forest or the Sisters Ranger Station for the Deschutes National Forest. Permits must be acquired at least 30 days before your planned hike. To find out more about Limited Entry Permits: Contact the USFS Willamette National Forest.

Scott Mountain Trail

Drive about 17 miles after the turnoff from hwy 126, the McKenzie Pass, to the Scott Lake Road. Follow the road until the end, find the trailhead to the Benson Lake hiking trail. Hike about 3 miles to connect with the Scott Mountain hiking trail, which is one mile only. This trail is in the Mt Washington Wilderness Area and climbs 600 feet in one mile. Offering stupendous views of the Cascade Mountains. A Northwest Forest Pass is required, as well as a Wilderness Self Issue Permit.

Lava River National Recreation Trail

Drive about 20 miles from the turnoff on hwy 126. You'll know you're there when you see it. The view will look like the one pictured on this page. The hike is .5 mile. It's paved, offering remarkable views of the lava flows from Yapooah Crater. The path is marked by interpretative signs. Access the trail just east of Dee Wright Observatory at the summit. No permits required.

Contact the USFS to obtain an Annual Northwest Forest Pass. Other recreation passes available from the USFS.

Forward ~ Travel Directions on the Aufderheide on the West Cascades National Scenic Byway.

Back ~ Campgrounds on Oregon Hwy 126, the McKenzie Pass, on the West Cascades National Scenic Byway.

USFS: Willamette National Forest.

Travel the West Cascades National Scenic Byway: Directions, Map & Scenery: lava flows, mountains, wildflowers, old growth forests, wild & scenic rivers, waterfalls, hiking trails, hot springs, mountain lakes, campgrounds. Or, perhaps &, the Willamette Pass: Directions, Map & Scenery, & the Crescent Lake, Oakridge "Inback" Tour: Directions & Map.

 travel oregon, sightseeing, hiking trails, camping, beauty on the west cascades national scenic byway and the santiam pass mckenzie pass oregon scenic byway, mt washington in the cascade mountains of oregon, broken top in the cascade mountains of oregon, mt jefferson in the cascade mountains of oregon, the pacific crest trail. travel oregon on the over the river and through the words scenic byway, one of many scenic byways in oregon. travel the cascade mountains of oregon and see three fingered jack, mt washington. travel the willamette national forest on the over the river and through the woods scenic byway in oregon and find hiking trails in the middle santiam wilderness, hiking trails in the menagerie wilderness of the willamette national forest, hiking trails in the old cascades in oregon, located in old growth forests and amidst fields of wildflowers in the willamette national forest of oregon. travel oregon and hike in old growth forests and in fields of wildflowers. hiking trails in old growth forests are included in the following: the santiam old wagon road, pyramid hiking trail, rooster rock hiking trail, iron mountain hiking trail, tombstone pass hiking trail, chimney peak hiking trail, gate creek hiking trail, cone peak hiking trail, huckleman old growth hiking trail, house rock hiking trail. hiking trails to waterfalls on the south santiam river, fields of wildflowers in early summer. camping and campgrounds in old growth forests on the south santiam river on the over the river and through the woods scenic byway, one of many scenic byways in oregon, hiking trails to scott mountain, proxy waterfalls, the obsidian hiking trail, the lava river hiking trail, include fernview campground, house rock campground, lost prairie campground; trout creek campground.

Mt Jefferson viewed from the summit on the Santiam Pass - McKenzie Pass Oregon Scenic Byway, pictured above.

Travel Oregon and northern California while staying at Gathering Light ... a retreat
located in southern Oregon near Crater Lake National Park.

Travel to the retreat on the West Cascades National Scenic Byway: Directions, Map & Scenery: hiking, waterfalls, wild & scenic rivers, mountains, volcanoes, hot springs, wilderness, scenic byways. Or, perhaps &, the Willamette Pass: Directions, Map & Scenery.

Travel Directions to and Day Trips of about 100 miles from the retreat.

Scenic Places: hiking, wetlands, wildlife refuges, river gorges, mountains, wilderness, wildlife viewing near Crater Lake & the retreat: Directions Map & Scenery.

Website Directory for the travel pages      Home Page

Page Listings to the travel pages

 crater lake national park near gathering light ... a retreat in southern oregon: cabins, treehouses in the forest on the river. travel to gathering light ... a retreat in southern oregon on the west cascades national scenic byway, one of many scenic byways in oregon.

Mt Scott, on the easter flank of Mt Mazama, Crater Lake, viewed from Wood River Wetlands one of the many Klamath Basin birding trails near to Crater Lake National Park and the retreat.

Contact Brad at Gathering Light ... a retreat.