Opal Lake Trailhead
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
| This trailhead lies within the boundary of extensive wind-driven fires that burned in September, 2020. It and the trails that it services are presumed closed until further notice. |
- Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
- Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
- Latitude, Longitude: 44.78946, -122.22734
- Elevation: 3540 feet
- Driving time from Portland: 2 1/4 hours
Contents |
Hikes starting here
- Opal Lake Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
Fees and Regulations
- Self-issued Wilderness Permit at trailhead
Driving Directions
Via the Little North Santiam:
To find the Opal Lake trailhead, drive as though you were driving to Opal Creek (east of Salem on Highway 22, up the Little North Fork Road at Mehama), but when you reach the fork in the road, take the road headed downhill-this is FR2207.
Continue on FR2207 for several miles, passing Shady Cove Campground, the upper trailhead of the Little North Fork Santiam River Trail and Sullivan Creek Falls before crossing Cedar Creek and heading uphill.
Once you reach the top of the ridge, the trailhead should be close.
Via Detroit:
Drive I-5 south through Salem and take Exit 253 for Highway 22, Detroit Lake, and Bend. After making the exit turn left onto Highway 22.
Drive 49.2 miles, passing along the shore of Detroit Lake.
As you enter the town of Detroit, just before a bridge, turn left onto French Creek Road (FR 2223). Keep left on this road as you head up the French Creek Valley.
After 4.1 miles, make a right onto gravel FR 2207.
Drive up this road and over a crest, then down for a total of 5.8 miles to find pullouts on the left and right for the Opal Lake Trail.
Contributors
- mattisnotfrench (primary)
- bobcat