Cedar Creek

This short trail between FR 68 and the Pacific Crest Trail is the last remnant of a long trail that once came up from the Panther Creek valley. 

From Forest Road 68 (elevation 3,075 feet), the trail ascends steeply at first through a Douglas-fir forest with Oregon-grape, vanilla leaf and inside-out flower in the understory. The grade soon eases and the climb becomes more gradual and rolling as the trail crosses two dry drainages, one marked by devil’s club.

Passing over a divide, the trail descends past a campsite to cross over Cedar Creek on rocks at an easy ford at 0.4 miles. The trail then climbs steeply up the slope for 0.3 mile and gains 300 feet to meet the PCT (elevation 3,615 feet).

To continue to Big Huckleberry Mountain, turn right on the PCT and hike north on this well-graded trail for 1.7 miles. Switchback up twice, then ascend below a ridge crest. The trail traverses below rocky outcroppings filled with wildflowers in spring and early summer. A couple of short spur paths lead out onto a rocky, flower-filled outcrop with a view south to Mount Defiance and Mount Hood.

Continuing on the PCT, cross another bald and then switchback up again. As the trail runs east along the ridge crest through huckleberry and beargrass, reach a junction with Grassy Knoll Trail 146 (elevation 3,995 feet). Continue straight ahead for about 50 feet to the junction with the Big Huckleberry Mountain Trail 135.

Turn right and ascend steeply for about 0.3 mile to an open bald filled with wildflowers like showy phlox, upland larkspur and scalloped onion in late spring-early summer. A few cables and shards of melted glass mark the location of the former fire lookout on the summit (elevation 4,202 feet), which was probably removed in the 1960s.

Since then, the trees have grown up and now restrict the views, but hikers can wander around the broad top for peeks at Mount Adams and better views south to Mount Hood and the Columbia River Gorge. Look for bright pink rock penstemon, red-orange paintbrush and yellow balsamroot around the rocky summit.

WTA Pro Tip: Mid to late June is the perfect time to catch the wildflower bloom.