Viewpoint just North of the Zigzag-Horseshoe Ridge Trail Junction. From the Zigzag Mountain Trail. You have to take a short side trail to get to the high point and best view. (Jerry Adams)

• Start point: Cast Creek Trailhead
• End point: Zigzag Mountain-Horseshoe Ridge Trail Junction
• Trail Log: Trail Log
• Hike Type: Out and Back
• Distance: 10.8 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: 2700 feet
• Difficulty: Moderate
• Seasons: spring, summer, fall
• Family Friendly: Yes
• Backpackable: Yes
• Crowded: Less busy during summer and weekends than other Zigzag trails

Hike Description

The Horseshoe Ridge Hike starts at the trailhead just before the bridge over Lost Creek just before Riley Horse Camp. There is a sign indicating the trail. A good place to start is the Cast Creek Trailhead (2050').

The trail follows Lost Creek, very level, for about 1/2 mile. Then the trail crosses Lost Creek and goes steeply uphill.

At mile 2.4 (2840') the trail crosses the road that continued past Riley Horse Camp. This is an alternate trailhead. At mile 2.8 (3150') is another alternate on the continuation of the same road. The road is single lane gravel, probably doable by a standard passenger car. There are several wide places on the road to park.

The trail then follows Horseshoe Ridge through forest until it reaches the end of this hike at Zigzag Ridge and the Zigzag Mountain Trail (#775). There are great views from here. A peak/viewpoint is especially nice, about 0.2 mile to the left (North, up) on the Zigzag Mountain Trail. When you're done soaking in the views, go back the way you came.

For a longer loop, go left on the Zigzag Mountain Trail and go 2.0 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.

Maps

Fees, Regulations, etc.

• Northwest Forest Pass required

Trip Reports

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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)