Difference between revisions of "East Zigzag from Devil Canyon Hike"
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=== Hike Description === | === Hike Description === | ||
| − | This hike takes you up to the Zigzag Ridge and [[East Zigzag Mountain]], a rocky | + | This hike takes you up to the Zigzag Ridge and [[East Zigzag Mountain]], a rocky summit with great views all around, especially of [[Mount Hood]] but also of an expanse of the Cascades, from [[Mount Rainier]] to [[Mount Jefferson]]. Most of the trail is through forest with occasional views, but wildflowers abound in the summer. This is a lollipop loop which also takes you to [[Cast Lake]], where you can camp overnight. |
{{Ezigzagcommon}} | {{Ezigzagcommon}} | ||
| − | + | The Burnt Lake Trail #772 heads up an old road bed in woods of western hemlock, cedar, alder, silver fir, Douglas-fir, rhododendron, salal, and vine maple. Henry Creek rushes down to your left. Soon, reach the the wilderness permit box. You'll step over a small creek, and then cross a larger stream over a culvert. The road bed enters a lush bracken, mertensia, and thimbleberry clearing rimmed with Sitka alder and willow. Finally, the road ends at the site of the abandoned Devils Meadow Camground. A spur leads down to the right towards the meadow, but the tread is lost among the thick growth of willow and alder thickets. The path rises, and noble fir enters the forest mix. Cross a trickling brook in an alder thicket and get a view down to the right to the expanse of Devils Meadow. Mosquitoes breed in their masses here in early summer. The trail passes through a lush meadow and then levels and drops through more mountain meadows. When you come to the [[Burnt Lake-Devils Tie Trail Junction]], 2.6 miles from the trailhead, keep straight (you'll close the lollipop loop by descending the Devils Tie Trail). | |
| − | Go left on the Zigzag Mountain Trail. The trail is now in an open meadow area with a view of East Zigzag Mountain ahead and Mount Hood behind. This slope is very visible from [[Paradise Park]] and the Timberline Trail on Mount Hood. East Zigzag Mountain is at mile 4 (4970'). The best views are along the last stretch of trail before the top since the rocky summit has limited views due to the trees. Look for beautiful bear grass displays in June. There is a possible camp spot just to the west where there used to be a fire lookout. | + | Cross a creek, and switchback up among lodgepole pine, bear-grass, huckleberry, and rhododendron. Note also some western white pine and mountain hemlock. The trail levels to cross a small creek before you head up in silver fir woods. Three switchbacks take you to a lush meadow riddled with mountain beaver burrows. Then the path switchbacks to a veritable rock garden of larkspur, paintbrush, phlox, and serviceberry. You'll pass through a bear-grass meadow, followed by another dry meadow with views across to [[Devils Peak]]. The trail loops up to the ridge crest and junction with the [[Zigzag Mountain-Burnt Lake Trail Junction|Zigzag Mountain Trail]] 3.7 miles from the trailhead. There’s a magnificent view of [[Mount Hood]] looming large to the east, and vistas extend north to the Washington Cascades. You can reach [[Burnt Lake]] by heading to your right. |
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| + | Go left at the junction in a bear-grass meadow, and head along the crest to begin the ascent of [[East Zigzag Mountain]]. Take in views of [[Burnt Lake]] below and back to [[Tom Dick and Harry Mountain]], [[Olallie Butte]] and [[Mount Jefferson]]. At a junction, keep right for the summit spur. Wildflowers bloom in profusion here. On the rocky summit, the views are expansive. Over the summit, the path rejoins the main trail, | ||
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| + | Go left on the Zigzag Mountain Trail. The trail is now in an open meadow area with a view of [[East Zigzag Mountain]] ahead and [[Mount Hood]] behind. This slope is very visible from [[Paradise Park]] and the Timberline Trail on [[Mount Hood]]. [[East Zigzag Mountain]] is at mile 4 of the hike (4970' feet). The best views are along the last stretch of trail before the top since the rocky summit has limited views due to the trees. Look for beautiful bear-grass displays in June. There is a possible camp spot just to the west where there used to be a fire lookout. | ||
After taking a break, continue west on the Zigzag Mountain Trail. On the west side of East Zigzag Mountain is a meadow slope similar to the east side. At mile 4.5 is the junction with the Cast Creek Trail (#773) which goes right, see [[Cast Creek Hike]]. Stay on the Zigzag Mountain Trail (left). At mile 4.8 is the junction with the Cast Lake Trail (#796) which goes right. 0.6 miles down this trail it dead-ends at [[Cast Lake]] where there is a camp spot, drinking water, and fishing. This lake, being further away from any trailhead, is less crowded than, for example, [[Burnt Lake]]. Stay on the Zigzag Mountain Trail. | After taking a break, continue west on the Zigzag Mountain Trail. On the west side of East Zigzag Mountain is a meadow slope similar to the east side. At mile 4.5 is the junction with the Cast Creek Trail (#773) which goes right, see [[Cast Creek Hike]]. Stay on the Zigzag Mountain Trail (left). At mile 4.8 is the junction with the Cast Lake Trail (#796) which goes right. 0.6 miles down this trail it dead-ends at [[Cast Lake]] where there is a camp spot, drinking water, and fishing. This lake, being further away from any trailhead, is less crowded than, for example, [[Burnt Lake]]. Stay on the Zigzag Mountain Trail. | ||
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At mile 5.0 is the junction with the Devil's Tie Trail. Take this trail (left), go 0.4 miles back to the junction with the Burnt Lake Trail that you passed earlier, and go back down the way you came on the Burnt Lake Trail back to the trailhead. | At mile 5.0 is the junction with the Devil's Tie Trail. Take this trail (left), go 0.4 miles back to the junction with the Burnt Lake Trail that you passed earlier, and go back down the way you came on the Burnt Lake Trail back to the trailhead. | ||
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=== Maps === | === Maps === | ||
Revision as of 20:14, 20 December 2019
- Start point: South Burnt Lake Trailhead
- End point: East Zigzag Mountain
- Trail log: Trail Log
- Hike type: Out and Back
- Distance: 8.0 miles round trip
- Elevation gain: 1670 feet
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Seasons: July - November
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: Yes
- Crowded: Busy during summer and weekends
Contents |
Hike Description
This hike takes you up to the Zigzag Ridge and East Zigzag Mountain, a rocky summit with great views all around, especially of Mount Hood but also of an expanse of the Cascades, from Mount Rainier to Mount Jefferson. Most of the trail is through forest with occasional views, but wildflowers abound in the summer. This is a lollipop loop which also takes you to Cast Lake, where you can camp overnight.
There are three hikes to East Zigzag Mountain: East Zigzag from Lost Creek Hike is 8 miles round trip and 2000' elevation gain. East Zigzag from Devil Canyon Hike is the same distance, 330' less elevation gain, but the approach road at the trailhead is more difficult and the last mile may be impassable. Cast Creek Hike is 12.4 miles round trip and 2970' elevation, but the approach road at the trailhead is better. You could also get to East Zigzag from extensions of the West Zigzag Hike and the Horseshoe Ridge Hike.
The Burnt Lake Trail #772 heads up an old road bed in woods of western hemlock, cedar, alder, silver fir, Douglas-fir, rhododendron, salal, and vine maple. Henry Creek rushes down to your left. Soon, reach the the wilderness permit box. You'll step over a small creek, and then cross a larger stream over a culvert. The road bed enters a lush bracken, mertensia, and thimbleberry clearing rimmed with Sitka alder and willow. Finally, the road ends at the site of the abandoned Devils Meadow Camground. A spur leads down to the right towards the meadow, but the tread is lost among the thick growth of willow and alder thickets. The path rises, and noble fir enters the forest mix. Cross a trickling brook in an alder thicket and get a view down to the right to the expanse of Devils Meadow. Mosquitoes breed in their masses here in early summer. The trail passes through a lush meadow and then levels and drops through more mountain meadows. When you come to the Burnt Lake-Devils Tie Trail Junction, 2.6 miles from the trailhead, keep straight (you'll close the lollipop loop by descending the Devils Tie Trail).
Cross a creek, and switchback up among lodgepole pine, bear-grass, huckleberry, and rhododendron. Note also some western white pine and mountain hemlock. The trail levels to cross a small creek before you head up in silver fir woods. Three switchbacks take you to a lush meadow riddled with mountain beaver burrows. Then the path switchbacks to a veritable rock garden of larkspur, paintbrush, phlox, and serviceberry. You'll pass through a bear-grass meadow, followed by another dry meadow with views across to Devils Peak. The trail loops up to the ridge crest and junction with the Zigzag Mountain Trail 3.7 miles from the trailhead. There’s a magnificent view of Mount Hood looming large to the east, and vistas extend north to the Washington Cascades. You can reach Burnt Lake by heading to your right.
Go left at the junction in a bear-grass meadow, and head along the crest to begin the ascent of East Zigzag Mountain. Take in views of Burnt Lake below and back to Tom Dick and Harry Mountain, Olallie Butte and Mount Jefferson. At a junction, keep right for the summit spur. Wildflowers bloom in profusion here. On the rocky summit, the views are expansive. Over the summit, the path rejoins the main trail,
Go left on the Zigzag Mountain Trail. The trail is now in an open meadow area with a view of East Zigzag Mountain ahead and Mount Hood behind. This slope is very visible from Paradise Park and the Timberline Trail on Mount Hood. East Zigzag Mountain is at mile 4 of the hike (4970' feet). The best views are along the last stretch of trail before the top since the rocky summit has limited views due to the trees. Look for beautiful bear-grass displays in June. There is a possible camp spot just to the west where there used to be a fire lookout.
After taking a break, continue west on the Zigzag Mountain Trail. On the west side of East Zigzag Mountain is a meadow slope similar to the east side. At mile 4.5 is the junction with the Cast Creek Trail (#773) which goes right, see Cast Creek Hike. Stay on the Zigzag Mountain Trail (left). At mile 4.8 is the junction with the Cast Lake Trail (#796) which goes right. 0.6 miles down this trail it dead-ends at Cast Lake where there is a camp spot, drinking water, and fishing. This lake, being further away from any trailhead, is less crowded than, for example, Burnt Lake. Stay on the Zigzag Mountain Trail.
At mile 5.0 is the junction with the Devil's Tie Trail. Take this trail (left), go 0.4 miles back to the junction with the Burnt Lake Trail that you passed earlier, and go back down the way you came on the Burnt Lake Trail back to the trailhead.
Maps
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Northwest Forest Pass required
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Zigzag
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Zigzag
Guidebooks that cover this hike
More Links
Contributors
- User:retiredjerry (creator)