Devils Peak Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
From Sherar Burn Turnaround:
- Start point: Devils Peak Trailhead
- End Point: Devils Peak
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Distance: 3.0 miles round-trip
- Elevation gain: 660 feet
- High point: 5,045 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: Late Spring through Fall
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: Yes - camping at Kinzel Lake
- Crowded: Never
From Kinzel Lake Camp:
- Start point: Devils Peak Trailhead
- End Point: Devils Peak
- Distance: 3.6 miles round-trip
- Elevation gain: 990 feet
- High Point: 5,045 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: Late Spring through Fall
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: Yes - camping at Kinzel Lake
- Crowded: Never
Contents |
Description
Devils Peak is graced by one of the few forest lookouts not destroyed by the Forest Service in the 1960s and 70s, a period when the agency shifted to aerial surveillance. Today, the humble, historic lookout is maintained by volunteers and is open to the public. The generally easy hike makes an ideal destination for children, who will be fascinated by the lookout and its rustic furnishings. For a slightly longer hike with more attractions, start at tiny Kinzel Lake, on the northeast shoulder of Devils Peak. Though the long, bumpy access road will be trying for parents, it will only add to the adventure for kids. While on the road, the short Veda Lake Hike is a fine companion to the Devils Peak excursion, since both can be easily hiked in a day.
If you choose to begin your hike at Kinzel Lake, start by exploring the lake shore, where tiny, carnivorous sundew plants grow in the boggy edges. Then, passing the lake along campground trails to reach the Kinzel Lake Trail #655, turn right and climb 0.3 miles to the turnaround described above. There is a primitive campground at Kinzel Lake that makes for a good base camp for weekend explorations in the area or just a nice spot for a picnic at the end of your hike.
From the turnaround, one sign marks the Kinzel Lake Trail #655, which drops to the lake (and alternate trailhead) in 0.3 mile, while another marks the Hunchback Trail #793, which climbs toward Devils Peak. Follow the Hunchback Trail in a forested traverse along the north slope of Devils Peak, with glimpses of Devils Tooth, a 400-foot rock monolith at 0.3 miles, and views of Mount Hood across the Still Creek Valley at 0.5 miles. The route continues through more trees, and then switchbacks twice below the summit of Devils Peak before reaching the Hunchback Mountain-Cool Creek Trail Junction. For the best views of Mount Hood, take a short, 200-yard trip to the right to reach a rocky crest traversed by the Cool Creek Trail.
After soaking in the view of Mount Hood and the surrounding high country, retrace your steps to the Hunchback Trail, turn right, and then immediately watch for a spur trail on the left that leads to the summit of Devils Peak. If you begin to descend, you’ve gone too far. Follow the summit spur a few yards through dense forest to a sudden opening, where the wooden lookout is perched on a rocky knob. While the trees have grown to obscure views to the west, there are still fine views of Mount Hood and the Salmon River canyon from the rock outcrops to the east of the lookout. Take care not to crush the fragile wildflowers that grow in this natural rock garden as you explore the summit area.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Bull of the Woods Wilderness and Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Zigzag Ranger District
- Discover Your Northwest: Mt. Hood National Forest North: Trail Map & Hiking Guide
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Mt. Hood National Forest
- National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: Mount Hood Wilderness
- National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: Mount Hood
- Adventure Maps: Mt. Hood Area
Regulations or Restrictions, etc.
- none
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Devils Peak Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Devils Peak Hike
Guidebooks
- 100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon & Southwest Washington by William L. Sullivan
- Fire Lookouts of Oregon by Cheryl Hill
More Links
- Hunchback Trail #793 (USFS)
- Kinzel Lake Trail #665 (USFS)
- Devil's Peak Lookout (USFS)
- Devil's Peak (Every Lookout in Oregon)
- Devils Peak Lookout (Outdoor Project)
- Devil's Peak Lookout (The Mountaineers)
- Hike Devil's Peak Lookout (The Outbound)
- Devils Peak (Summit Post)
Page Contributors
- Splintercat (Tom Kloster) (primary)