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Difference between revisions of "Echo Basin Hike"

From Oregon Hikers Field Guide

m (add link)
(south peak is behind Echo from within the basin; attempt to correct)
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The hike showcases one of the few populations of Alaska Cedars (''Chamaecyparis nootkatensis'') in the Central Cascades, including the [http://www.odf.state.or.us/divisions/resource_policy/resource_planning/big_tree/champs/alkcedar.asp?id=401010205?id=401010205 State Champion.]The trip begins on a former logging road in a small stand of young fir trees along Echo Creek. The fir trees give way to a narrow hallway of alders. Along this portion of the trail you will see the large cables left behind from the tree harvest in the late 1980s. After .3 miles, you will enter mature forest. Look for the shaggy gray bark of the Alaska Cedars. At a half mile, you will reach a small footbridge that starts the loop trail. Take the loop in either direction to travel through the giants.  
 
The hike showcases one of the few populations of Alaska Cedars (''Chamaecyparis nootkatensis'') in the Central Cascades, including the [http://www.odf.state.or.us/divisions/resource_policy/resource_planning/big_tree/champs/alkcedar.asp?id=401010205?id=401010205 State Champion.]The trip begins on a former logging road in a small stand of young fir trees along Echo Creek. The fir trees give way to a narrow hallway of alders. Along this portion of the trail you will see the large cables left behind from the tree harvest in the late 1980s. After .3 miles, you will enter mature forest. Look for the shaggy gray bark of the Alaska Cedars. At a half mile, you will reach a small footbridge that starts the loop trail. Take the loop in either direction to travel through the giants.  
  
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After a short distance, the trees open up and you will find yourself in the great meadow amphitheater of Echo Basin. The basin is ringed by the summits of South Peak, [[Echo Mountain]] and North Peak above you. Travel across the often soggy meadow is aided by using the puncheons- large planks through the wetlands. Continue across the meadow to re-enter the forest and return to your car.
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After a short distance, the trees open up and you will find yourself in the great meadow amphitheater of Echo Basin. The basin is ringed by [[Echo Mountain]] and its sub-peaks. Travel across the often soggy meadow is aided by using the puncheons- large planks through the wetlands. Continue across the meadow to re-enter the forest and return to your car.
  
 
For a longer trip, it is possible to ascend to the top of the ridge and travel cross country all the way from North Peak to Iron Mountain.  
 
For a longer trip, it is possible to ascend to the top of the ridge and travel cross country all the way from North Peak to Iron Mountain.  

Revision as of 09:27, 20 July 2017

Echo Basin as seen from above. The white planks through the meadows are called puncheons. (cfm)
Wild ginger (cfm)
Old-Growth Alaska Cedars(cfm)
  • Start point: Echo Basin TrailheadRoad.JPG
  • End point: Echo Basin
  • Trail Log: Trail Log
  • Hike Type: Dogbone: Out to a loop and back
  • Distance: 2.0 miles round trip
  • Elevation gain: 400 feet
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Seasons: June- November
  • Family Friendly: Yes
  • Backpackable: Only if you continue on to the summit
  • Crowded: No

Contents

Hike Description

The hike showcases one of the few populations of Alaska Cedars (Chamaecyparis nootkatensis) in the Central Cascades, including the State Champion.The trip begins on a former logging road in a small stand of young fir trees along Echo Creek. The fir trees give way to a narrow hallway of alders. Along this portion of the trail you will see the large cables left behind from the tree harvest in the late 1980s. After .3 miles, you will enter mature forest. Look for the shaggy gray bark of the Alaska Cedars. At a half mile, you will reach a small footbridge that starts the loop trail. Take the loop in either direction to travel through the giants.

After a short distance, the trees open up and you will find yourself in the great meadow amphitheater of Echo Basin. The basin is ringed by Echo Mountain and its sub-peaks. Travel across the often soggy meadow is aided by using the puncheons- large planks through the wetlands. Continue across the meadow to re-enter the forest and return to your car.

For a longer trip, it is possible to ascend to the top of the ridge and travel cross country all the way from North Peak to Iron Mountain.

Maps

Trip Reports

Related Discussions / Q&A

Guidebooks that cover this hike

  • 100 Hikes in Oregon's Central Cascades by William L. Sullivan

More Links

Echo Basin - OregonWildflowers.org

Contributors

  • CFM (creator)
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