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Marion Mountain Hike

From Oregon Hikers Field Guide

View of Mt. Jefferson and Marion Lake from Marion Mountain (Cheryl Hill)
The route to Marion Mountain (bobcat) Courtesy: Caltopo/USFS
  • Start point: Pine Ridge TrailheadRoad.JPG
  • End point: Marion Mountain
  • Hike Type: Out-and-back
  • Distance: 9.0 miles
  • Elevation gain: 1,100 feet
  • High point: 5,351 feet
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Seasons: July-November
  • Family Friendly: Yes
  • Backpackable: Yes
  • Crowded: No

Contents

Hike Description

This hike to a former fire lookout site passes through one of the last remaining unburnt portions of the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness. The views are far-reaching on a clear day.

The Pine Ridge Trail starts at the north end of the trailhead parking area. Reach a junction with the Turpentine Trail, and fill out a free wilderness permit at the box. Keep straight on the Pine Ridge Trail, heading into the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness.

After two miles, reach a junction with the Temple Lake Trail, which departs to the left. Stay straight to continue on to Marion Mountain, but if you want to add this little side trip, the trail descends 100 feet over 0.4 miles down to a large campsite at the south end of Temple Lake. Retrace your steps back to the Pine Ridge Trail

Approximately 1.5 miles from the junction with the Temple Lake Trail, you'll reach the junction with the Marion Mountain Trail. Turn right here and climb up through the forest. The trail ends at the summit of Marion Mountain, once the site of a fire lookout. The view is impressive and encompasses Mount Jefferson, Marion Lake, and Three Fingered Jack. You also get a good view of the widespread devastation of the 2003 B&B Complex Fires

Return the way you came.


Fees, Regulations, etc.

  • $5 parking fee or Northwest Forest Pass (or America the Beautiful Pass)
  • Central Cascades Wilderness Permit for overnight stays required ($6 reservation fee: June 15th - October 15th)
  • Self-issued wilderness permit
  • Restrooms, picnic tables at trailhead

Maps

  • Maps: Hike Finder
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Detroit Ranger District
  • U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Willamette National Forest
  • Pacific Northwest Recreation Map Series: Willamette Cascades
  • Pacific Northwest Recreation Map Series: Central Oregon Cascades
  • Geo-Graphics: Mount Jefferson Wilderness
  • National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: Mount Jefferson, Mount Washington
  • Adventure Maps: Mount Jefferson, Bull of the Woods & Opal Creek Wilderness Trail Map

Trip Reports

Related Discussions / Q&A

Guidebooks that cover this destination

  • 101 Hikes in the Majestic Mount Jefferson Region by Matt Reeder
  • Oregon Hiking by Sean Patrick Hill
  • 100 Oregon Hiking Trails by Don & Roberta Lowe
  • 60 Hiking Trails: Central Oregon Cascades by Don & Roberta Lowe

More Links


Contributors

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Oregon Hikers Field Guide is built as a collaborative effort by its user community. While we make every effort to fact-check, information found here should be considered anecdotal. You should cross-check against other references before planning a hike. Trail routing and conditions are subject to change. Please contact us if you notice errors on this page.

Hiking is a potentially risky activity, and the entire risk for users of this field guide is assumed by the user, and in no event shall Trailkeepers of Oregon be liable for any injury or damages suffered as a result of relying on content in this field guide. All content posted on the field guide becomes the property of Trailkeepers of Oregon, and may not be used without permission.