Jefferson Park from Whitewater Trailhead Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Whitewater Trailhead
- End point: Jefferson Park
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: (Out-and-back or backpack)
- Distance: 11.0 miles (round trip)
- Elevation gain: 1,800 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- High Point: 5,880 feet
- Seasons: July - early October
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: Yes
- Crowded: Very
Contents |
Hike Description
This is a shorter, easier, and the most popular trail to Jefferson Park. It is also somewhat less scenic approach comparing with two other options - from the Breitenbush Trailhead access (over Park Ridge) and from the South Breitenbush Trailhead (along S. Fork Breitenbush River).
You'll start to climb moderately through old-growth forest. After 4 wide switchbacks and 1.5 miles turn right at the junction. The trail becomes more rocky and dusty from this point, but it's not bad. You'll come by a couple of viewpoints opening to the west and then you will hike along the ridge where you'll see a first-class view to Mount Jefferson to the east. At mile 4.0 there's Whitewater Creek crossing - your first water source. The crossing has no bridge (sometimes the hikers construct a seasonal makeshift bridge) but the creek is pretty small and boulders are convenient to step on. After creek crossing the trail becomes really steep for about 0.2 miles and then joins the PCT. Keep left at PCT, which crosses one more creek and a couple small meadows. Soon you'll break out of the forest and the trail will level as you enter Jefferson Park.
Here's many small trails come in all directions from PCT. Come about a quarter mile on PCT ignoring side trails for now, and then take a wide unsigned trail to the left, which will come to the north edge of Scout Lake (if you want to extend this hike you may stay on PCT which will come to Russell Lake in about 0.8 mile). This side trail will come along the Scout Lake and then continues to Bays Lake (it dead-ends half way around Bays Lake). Take a short spur trail right to see a small Rock Lake with yellow-colored Park Butte towering over it. After taking the pictures, backtrack to Scout Lake, turn right (south), and hike along its west side. Take an obvious trail right (west) to unnamed small pond and then to breathtakingly beautiful Bays Lake with its high rocky shores. Watch children near the drop-offs here. There's a maze of trails in this small area, but with the map (see one at the bottom of this page) you can use the lakes as beacons so it's hard to get lost. After exploring Bays Lake, head back east. The PCT is pretty close to the right at this point, but it is below very steep slope (you may take a shortcut trail to PCT if you hike without children, otherwise keep east until you re-join the PCT). Keep right on the PCT and return the way you came.
Lastly, be prepared that current conditions in Jefferson Park may be very different from conditions at lower elevation hikes. If you come before the middle of July, expect to see a plenty of snow. The lakes don't usually thaw there until the end of June or the beginning of July. Also, mosquitoes can be plentiful in July and first half of August, and the night temperatures may dip below freezing in any month (though if the weather is fair the nights can be quite warm in August and September). Having said that, this area is truly unique, but come prepared with extra clothing, food, map, and flashlights.
Regulations or Restrictions, etc.
- Northwest Forest Pass required at the trailhead.
- Dogs OK
- Fires are banned in Jefferson Park; stoves OK
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Template:Jefferson Park from Whitewater Trailhead
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Template:Jefferson Park from Whitewater Trailhead
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- 100 Classic Hikes in Oregon by Douglas Lorain
- 100 Hikes in the Central Oregon Cascades by William Sullivan
More Links
- See more information at Describe the link here
Maps
- Click on hike map below to enlarge
Also see:
Contributors
- romann (creator)