Revision as of 22:07, 23 March 2007

Devil's Peak Lookout (Tom Kloster)

Mount Hood from Devil's Peak (Tom Kloster)

Tiny Kinzel Lake (Tom Kloster)

From Sherar Burn Turnaround:

• Start point: Devil's Peak Trailhead
• End Point: Devil's Peak
• Trail Log: Trail Log
• Distance: 2.4 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:

• Trailhead: Devil's Peak Trailhead
• Trail Log: Trail Log
• Distance: 3.0 miles round-trip
• Elevation gain: 795 feet
• High Point: 5,045 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Seasons: Late Spring through Fall
• Family Friendly: Yes
• Backpackable: Yes - camping at Kinzel Lake
• Crowded: Never

Description

Devil's Peak is graced by one of the few forest lookouts not destroyed by the Forest Service in the 1960s and 70s, as the agency shifted to aerial surveillance. Today, the humble, historic lookout is maintained by volunteers and 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 Devil's 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 Devil's Peak trail, 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 past the lake along campground trails to the Kinzel Lake Trail (no. 655), turn right and climb 0.3 mile 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 (no. 665), which drops to the lake (and alternate trailhead) in 0.3 mile, while another marks the Hunchback Trail (no. 793), which climbs toward Devil's Peak. Follow the Hunchback Trail in a forested traverse along the north slope of Devil's Peak, with glimpses of Devil's 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, then switchbacks twice below the summit of Devil's Peak before reaching a junction with the Cool Creek Trail. For the best views of Mount Hood, take a short, 200 yard trip to the right to 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, then immediately watch for a spur trail on the left that leads to the summit of Devil's Peak. If you begin to descend, you’ve gone too far. Follow the summit spur a few yard 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.

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• Splintercat (Tom Kloster) (primary)