Big Huckleberry via Cedar Creek Trail # 149, 062021
Posted: June 21st, 2021, 6:01 pm
In our ongoing quest to piece together sections of the PCT we’ve missed, Kel and I headed out yesterday to bag a short section south of Big Huckleberry. On the 7th, we hiked from road 68-020 to the upper junction with the Cedar Creek Trail (AKA Weigle Hill Trail for the lower section) and turned around there. Encountering this trail was a surprise for us on the 7th, but intrigued us. What is this Cedar Creek Trail you may ask? Here are a couple of TR’s posted in years past, with some good info from a few more who chimed in:
Pablo
And: Pablo, part 2
I hadn’t remembered these two TR’s but that’s probably because I’m so ancient I could have forgotten about them – or, it looked like more than I was willing to suffer for. Anyway, after getting home from the hike on the 7th, I did a little research and decided I at least wanted to check out the section between road 68 and the PCT if I could find where the trail started. The above TR’s served to assist and after my usual lightning start, we hit the trail at 2 pm. Thanks Pablo, and the others who chimed in on these TR’s! (Later, I plan to do the rest of the trail from Cedar Creek Road, but Kel says no way for her so it’ll be a solo hike.) BTW, all the signs pictured in the previous TR’s are gone for some reason. Who does things like that!?
The TH from the 68 Road: The trail tread on the upper part of Cedar Cr. Tr. is in great shape, but there are four big trees down that required some work to get over. Three are about 16” diameter and one about 18”. All a bit off the ground where they fell across the trail so Kel had a fun time getting past. Another dozen or so smaller trees litter the route, all between about 4” to about 12” diameter. Those were no big deal but it wouldn’t hurt to take them out.
I picked up a few dozen sticks and branches but there’s still some work needed to finish the job. Some clipper work would be helpful too, but the trail is very easy to follow, all the way. As reported, there’s a fine campsite near Cedar Creek crossing. Once we got to the PCT, it was a straight forward trek up to Big Huckleberry for some great views and a fine lunch.
Upper junction of Cedar Creek and PCT: The smoke from the S-503 fire on the Warm Springs reservation slowly engulfed Mt. Hood as we ate our lunch and completely obscured Jefferson but the air was clear in all other directions.
Hood before the smoke obscured it: After: We saw no one once we left road 65 and continued driving on the gravel 68 road - except a couple of bicyclists when we were on our way back.
Though the temperature was a little higher than we like for a hike, 75 or so, there was a nice breeze at all times that made this another great day in the woods.
4.6 miles RT, hike # 51
dn
Pablo
And: Pablo, part 2
I hadn’t remembered these two TR’s but that’s probably because I’m so ancient I could have forgotten about them – or, it looked like more than I was willing to suffer for. Anyway, after getting home from the hike on the 7th, I did a little research and decided I at least wanted to check out the section between road 68 and the PCT if I could find where the trail started. The above TR’s served to assist and after my usual lightning start, we hit the trail at 2 pm. Thanks Pablo, and the others who chimed in on these TR’s! (Later, I plan to do the rest of the trail from Cedar Creek Road, but Kel says no way for her so it’ll be a solo hike.) BTW, all the signs pictured in the previous TR’s are gone for some reason. Who does things like that!?
The TH from the 68 Road: The trail tread on the upper part of Cedar Cr. Tr. is in great shape, but there are four big trees down that required some work to get over. Three are about 16” diameter and one about 18”. All a bit off the ground where they fell across the trail so Kel had a fun time getting past. Another dozen or so smaller trees litter the route, all between about 4” to about 12” diameter. Those were no big deal but it wouldn’t hurt to take them out.
I picked up a few dozen sticks and branches but there’s still some work needed to finish the job. Some clipper work would be helpful too, but the trail is very easy to follow, all the way. As reported, there’s a fine campsite near Cedar Creek crossing. Once we got to the PCT, it was a straight forward trek up to Big Huckleberry for some great views and a fine lunch.
Upper junction of Cedar Creek and PCT: The smoke from the S-503 fire on the Warm Springs reservation slowly engulfed Mt. Hood as we ate our lunch and completely obscured Jefferson but the air was clear in all other directions.
Hood before the smoke obscured it: After: We saw no one once we left road 65 and continued driving on the gravel 68 road - except a couple of bicyclists when we were on our way back.
Though the temperature was a little higher than we like for a hike, 75 or so, there was a nice breeze at all times that made this another great day in the woods.
4.6 miles RT, hike # 51
dn