Sign, high on a tree where the Chinidere Mountain Trail and the PCT meet (Jeff Statt)

The Pacific Crest Trail near the two junctions (Jeff Statt)

Area map. (This junction in rectangle)

• Hikes including this location:
  • Chinidere Mountain Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)
  • Eagle Creek to Wahtum Lake Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)
  • Wahtum Lake via Pacific Crest Trail Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)
  • Wahtum Lake via Ruckel Creek Hike   (TH | <—   —> | LOG)
• Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
• Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
• Latitude, Longitude: 45.58419, -121.80879
• Elevation: 4320 feet

Description

There are really two trail junctions here, very close to each other.

The first junction is with short, steep Chinidere Cutoff Trail down to Wahtum Lake. This trail descends down to the west end of Wahtum Lake and crosses the log jam at the outlet stream: the source of Eagle Creek. This cutoff trail acts as a PCT shortcut, since the normal PCT route swings way around the east side of the lake and back again—essentially one mile due south of this junction.

The second junction is with the Chinidere Mountain Trail to the summit of Chinidere Mountain. This trail turns off the PCT and starts gaining elevation very quickly in a series of switchbacks. This relatively short diversion for thru-hikers is highly recommended since the 360 degree summit is one of the best in the area.

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Guidebooks that cover this destination

• Hiking the Columbia River Gorge - 2nd Edition, by Russ Schneider

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Contributors

• stevefromdodge (creator)