Horseshoe Ridge Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Cast Creek Trailhead
- End point: Zigzag Mountain-Horseshoe Ridge Trail Junction
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: Out and Back
- Distance: 10.2 miles round trip
- Elevation gain: 2700 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: spring, summer, fall
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: Yes
- Crowded: Busy during summer and weekends, especially the first part to Burnt Lake
Contents |
Hike Description
The Horseshoe Ridge Hike goes from the Cast Creek Trailhead (2050') at the end of Riley Horse Camp up a forested ridge to the Zigzag ridge where there are great views. You can save 2 miles and 750 feet of elevation gain by driving up a 2 mile gravel road to an upper trailhead. You can do an 11 mile loop by going up the Horseshoe Ridge Trail and back down the Cast Creek Trail.
Start at the Cast Creek Trailhead. Walk back through Riley Horse Camp the way you drove in, back over the bridge (over Lost Creek). The Horseshoe Ridge Trail starts near the bridge going Southwest. There is a sign indicating the trail.
The trail follows Lost Creek, very level, for about 1/2 mile. Then the trail crosses Lost Creek and goes steeply uphill.
At mile 2 (2800') the trail crosses the road that continued past Riley Horse Camp. This is the alternate trailhead if you wish to save this 750 feet and 2 miles.
The trail then follows Horseshoe Ridge through forest until it reaches the Zigzag Ridge and the junction with the Zigzag Mountain Trail (#775). There are great views from here. When you're done soaking in the views, go back the way you came.
If you're up for hiking around a bit more, go left (east) on the Zigzag Mountain Trail and/or go off trail to any of several nearby peaks for better views.
For a longer loop, go left on the Zigzag Mountain Trail and go 2.2 miles to the junction with the Cast Creek Trail (#773) and follow it back to the trailhead. Read the Cast Creek Hike description to familiarize yourself with the trail, but the trails are well marked so finding the trail should be easy.
Maps
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Northwest Forest Pass required
Trip Reports
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Related Discussions / Q&A
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Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Title - 1st Edition, by Author
More Links
- See more information at Describe the link here
Contributors
- User:retiredjerry (creator)