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Difference between revisions of "Devils Peak Loop Hike"

From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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Congress designated the Sky Lakes Wilderness in 1984 and it now covers 113,849 acres. It stretches along the crest of the volcanic Cascade Mountains from the border of Crater Lake National Park on the north to State Highway 140 in the south, and includes three major lake (former glacial) basins: Seven Lakes, Sky Lakes, and Blue Canyon. From the rugged summit of Mount McLoughlin (9,495’) in at its southern end, this wilderness extends northward into an area of broad plateau-like ridges, dotted with many lakes. With its numerous lakes, easy to moderate elevation changes, generally good trails, and plethora of campsites, this wilderness is an ideal backpacking and dayhiking destination.
 
Congress designated the Sky Lakes Wilderness in 1984 and it now covers 113,849 acres. It stretches along the crest of the volcanic Cascade Mountains from the border of Crater Lake National Park on the north to State Highway 140 in the south, and includes three major lake (former glacial) basins: Seven Lakes, Sky Lakes, and Blue Canyon. From the rugged summit of Mount McLoughlin (9,495’) in at its southern end, this wilderness extends northward into an area of broad plateau-like ridges, dotted with many lakes. With its numerous lakes, easy to moderate elevation changes, generally good trails, and plethora of campsites, this wilderness is an ideal backpacking and dayhiking destination.
  
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Although not as high as Mt. McLoughlin to the south, on a clear day the views from Devils Peak are hugely expansive.  That, combined with vists to a number of delightful lakes, makes this one of the premier hikes in this wilderness. The Seven Lakes trailhead is the most accessible and most popular trailhead on the west side of the wilderness and provides the most direct, and highest elevation, access to Devils Peak.
+
Although not as high as Mt. McLoughlin to the south, on a clear day the views from Devils Peak are hugely expansive.  That, combined with vists to a number of delightful lakes in the Seven Lakes Basin, makes this one of the premier hikes in this wilderness. The Seven Lakes trailhead is the most accessible and most popular trailhead on the west side of the wilderness and provides the most direct, and highest elevation, access to Devils Peak.
  
 
From the trailhead, take the Seven Lakes trail (#981) past Frog Lake for 3.3 miles to a junction with the Devils Peak trail (#984) and head downhill, staying on the #981.  In just 0.2 miles, you'll come to the junction with the trail (#979) to Alta Lake - which is worth a visit if you have time.  To continue with the loop, stay on the #981 as it descends 2 miles past South and Cliff Lakes to a junction with the PCT.  Turn right (E) on to the PCT and do a 2.5 mile climb up to a 7,300' pass just east of Devils Peak.  The PCT continues straight ahead but there is now a very evident use trail that climbs from the pass up to the summit.  After enjoying the views, continue south on this use trail back down to the PCT. In less than a mile after rejoining the PCT, you'll come to its junction with the #984 trail.  Follow the #984 back to the #981 and then to the trailhead.   
 
From the trailhead, take the Seven Lakes trail (#981) past Frog Lake for 3.3 miles to a junction with the Devils Peak trail (#984) and head downhill, staying on the #981.  In just 0.2 miles, you'll come to the junction with the trail (#979) to Alta Lake - which is worth a visit if you have time.  To continue with the loop, stay on the #981 as it descends 2 miles past South and Cliff Lakes to a junction with the PCT.  Turn right (E) on to the PCT and do a 2.5 mile climb up to a 7,300' pass just east of Devils Peak.  The PCT continues straight ahead but there is now a very evident use trail that climbs from the pass up to the summit.  After enjoying the views, continue south on this use trail back down to the PCT. In less than a mile after rejoining the PCT, you'll come to its junction with the #984 trail.  Follow the #984 back to the #981 and then to the trailhead.   

Revision as of 00:17, 2 November 2015

Frog Lake (B. Hope)
South Lake (B. Hope)
View of Mt. McLoughlin and Mt. Shasta from the summit (B. Hope)
Map of the Devils Peak loop hike (B. Hope)
  • Start point: Seven Lakes TrailheadRoad.JPG
  • End point: Seven Lakes Trailhead
  • Trail Log:
  • Hike Type: Loop
  • Distance: 13.7 miles
  • Elevation gain: 3,100 feet
  • High Point: 7,582 feet
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Seasons: Summer, Fall (#984 trail can be blocked by snow into late spring)
  • Family Friendly: No
  • Backpackable: Yes
  • Crowded: No

Contents

Hike Description

Congress designated the Sky Lakes Wilderness in 1984 and it now covers 113,849 acres. It stretches along the crest of the volcanic Cascade Mountains from the border of Crater Lake National Park on the north to State Highway 140 in the south, and includes three major lake (former glacial) basins: Seven Lakes, Sky Lakes, and Blue Canyon. From the rugged summit of Mount McLoughlin (9,495’) in at its southern end, this wilderness extends northward into an area of broad plateau-like ridges, dotted with many lakes. With its numerous lakes, easy to moderate elevation changes, generally good trails, and plethora of campsites, this wilderness is an ideal backpacking and dayhiking destination.

Although not as high as Mt. McLoughlin to the south, on a clear day the views from Devils Peak are hugely expansive. That, combined with vists to a number of delightful lakes in the Seven Lakes Basin, makes this one of the premier hikes in this wilderness. The Seven Lakes trailhead is the most accessible and most popular trailhead on the west side of the wilderness and provides the most direct, and highest elevation, access to Devils Peak.

From the trailhead, take the Seven Lakes trail (#981) past Frog Lake for 3.3 miles to a junction with the Devils Peak trail (#984) and head downhill, staying on the #981. In just 0.2 miles, you'll come to the junction with the trail (#979) to Alta Lake - which is worth a visit if you have time. To continue with the loop, stay on the #981 as it descends 2 miles past South and Cliff Lakes to a junction with the PCT. Turn right (E) on to the PCT and do a 2.5 mile climb up to a 7,300' pass just east of Devils Peak. The PCT continues straight ahead but there is now a very evident use trail that climbs from the pass up to the summit. After enjoying the views, continue south on this use trail back down to the PCT. In less than a mile after rejoining the PCT, you'll come to its junction with the #984 trail. Follow the #984 back to the #981 and then to the trailhead.

Maps

Trip Reports

Related Discussions / Q&A

Guidebooks that cover this destination

  • Hiking Southern Oregon by Art Bernstein and Zach Urness (2014 Edition, Hike #44)
  • 100 Hikes in Southern Oregon by William L. Sullivan (Third Edition, Hike #43)
  • 75 Scrambles in Oregon by Barbara I. Bond (First Edition, Scramble #23)

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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.

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