Our first visit to Jefferson Park was way back in 2011 and it made such an impact on us that we revisited yearly up to 2017 when the lightning sparked Whitewater Fire forced us to skip a year. We returned in 2018 (post) and then decided to take a break from our yearly visits. Then in 2020 the Lionshead Fire, driven by strong easterly winds, raced through the area before combining with the Beachie Fire on 9/7/20. There are still closures in effect due to that fire, but the Woodpecker Trailhead has since been reopened and we thought it was time to revisit an old friend.
We had used the Woodpecker Trailhead for our 2016 visit (post) prior to either of the fires impacting the area. This was also before the Central Cascade Wilderness Permits were enacted. Currently the Woodpecker Trailhead only requires a free self-issued permit for day-use which can be obtained at the trailhead. Overnight permits are required for the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness regardless of which trailhead is used from 6/15 to 10/15.
Heather and I had set different goals for the day. I had my sights set on finally visiting Sprague Lake which is located just below Park Ridge (post) and requires off-trail navigation. Heather had set a more sensible goal of stopping at Scout Lake which is the first lake that you reach when entering Jefferson Park from the SW. Given our different goals we established a meeting spot on the west side of Scout Lake and set off at our own paces.
Another reminder that overnight permits are required in the wilderness.
Due to the two recent fires having burned over the entire route of our planned hikes the vast majority of the trails up to Jefferson Park are devoid of any tree cover. Luckily for us it was in the upper 30’s when we set off and the highs were set to be in the upper 50’s in Jefferson Park and low 70’s at the trailhead. It was also forecast to be mostly clear skies as recently cooler temperatures combined with rain and even some snow at higher elevations had helped to suppress the numerous fires currently burning in other parts of the Cascades and eastern Oregon.
Low clouds in the valley.
Mt. Jefferson through some of the snags with a few surviving trees on the right.
After an initial steep climb the trail levels out then descends slightly into a patch of trees that survived the fires. At the 1.2-mile mark it enters the Mount Jefferson Wilderness.
Just under a half mile later the trail climbed to an unsigned junction with the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).
Mt. Jefferson from the junction, note the rock cairn on the left marking the PCT.
The cairn at the junction.
We turned left on the PCT and followed it through the fire scars for 2.6-miles to a crossing of Russell Creek.
Triangulation Peak (post) getting hit with sunlight with Whitewater Lake (lower right) in Mt. Jefferson’s shadow.
Whitewater Lake
Triangulation Point and Bocca Cave (Trailheads still closed.)
Tarn 0.3-miles from the junction.
Mt. Jefferson reflecting in the tarn.
Ducks on the tarn.
The Sentinel Hills with Park Butte behind to the right. The Whitewater Trail (post) traverses the hillside below the Sentinel Hills, but that trailhead is also still closed.
The fires did open up fairly consistent views of the mountain.
A few remaining penstemon blossoms.
Heading down to the Russell Creek crossing.
This can be a tricky crossing at times, but there was a makeshift bridge which made it fairly easy this time.
Aster and pearly everlasting near the creek.
Beyond Russell Creek the PCT climbed for half a mile to a junction with the Whitewater Trail where we turned right sticking to the PCT.
We started seeing more trees that had survived the fire as we got closer to Jefferson Park.
Gentians and aster
Grass-of-parnassus
From this junction it was just under a mile to the first of several signed trails leading to Scout Lake off the PCT.
There were patches of burned forest along this stretch.
Approximately 0.4-miles from the junction the trail crosses Whitewater Creek.
From the other side of Whitewater Creek the views of Mt. Jefferson are amazing.
Based on the barred sides I believe this is a black-backed woodpecker.
Unofficial use trails are an issue in Jefferson Park which has prompted the Forest Service to install a number of “Closed for Rehabilitation” sign such as the one on the left side of the trail.
They’ve also added quite a few signs to indicated sanctioned trails. Typically in wilderness areas the Forest Service tries to keep signage to a minimum, but overuse has led them to add additional signs.
Another sign with Park Butte in background.
Since I was headed for Park Ridge I ignored the trails to Scout Lake for now and continued on the PCT for three quarters of a mile beyond the first sign for Scout Lake to a sign for Russell Lake on the right side of the trail.
The last of the pointers for Scout Lake.
PCT heading for Park Butte and Park Ridge.
Russell Lake pointer.
I had originally planned on skipping Russell Lake this time around but had a change of heart and forked right. It was less than a quarter mile to the lake and I knew that I could cut back over to the PCT to the NW meaning the detour wouldn’t add too much extra distance.
Trail leading to the PCT along the South Fork Breitenbush River.
Golden-crowned sparrow
Chipmunk
South Fork Breitenbush River
Back on the PCT.
I turned right on the PCT and began to climb past a series of meadows. It had been nearly 12 years since I had been on this section of the PCT, and I couldn’t recall the trail veering to the west and making a long switchback. As it turns out I didn’t remember this switchback because it didn’t exist in 2012. This new switchback was 0.6-miles longer than the previous alignment adding 1.2-miles to my roundtrip total. It was the 1000′ of elevation gain to reach Park Ridge though.
Meadow along the switchback.
Fireweed along the trail.
Nearing the end of the big switchback section that was new to me.
The old alignment came up to this large meadow from the right.
A tributary of the South Fork Breitenbush River.
Park Ridge from the PCT.
There were two additional changes to the alignment since our 2012 visit, but they were only a tenth of a mile longer apiece.
This opening provided the first good view toward Central Oregon.
Grizzly Mountain in the distance.
It also had another nice view of Mt. Jefferson.
One of only a handful of remaining lupine blossoms.
Several blueberries were eaten during the climb.
The PCT approaching Park Ridge.
Within a couple of hundred meters of the ridge I encountered a woman coming down the PCT. I stopped in some shade to let her pass (and take a break) and unintentionally startled her due to her wearing sunglasses and not seeing me in the shadow. After she got over the initial shock, she let me know I was almost there. She also mentioned not wanting to be “that person” before telling me how close I was. The trail gained the ridge but I had a little more climbing to do to reach the high point of the PCT where it crosses over the ridge and into the Mount Hood National Forest.
On the ridge.
Townsend’s solitaire
Mt. Hood with Olallie Butte (post) in front and a faint Mt. Rainier behind to the left.
A little better view of Mt. Rainier. The red butte in the foreground is Ruddy Hill (post). The burned area is more of the 2020 Lionshead fire scar.
The rock cairn marks the boundary of the Willamette and Mount Hood National Forests.
Mt. Jefferson from Park Ridge. Russel Lake is visible below to the left and Sprague Lake is below Park Butte on the right.
I had anticipated that it would be easier to reach Sprague Lake from above rather than attempting to climb from below or traverse off the PCT. I located a use trail on the ridge and followed it as well as I could down the steep hillside to the lake. The route lost approximately 230′ of elevation.
The use trail heading down.
The final tenth of a mile included a lot of rock/boulder hoping.
I hiked around the lake and then faced a decision on how to return to Scout Lake. While I was pondering my route I noticed a pair of shorts and shirt that had been left near a rock along the shoreline so I packed those out.
Tarn near Sprague Lake.
Park Ridge from Sprague Lake.
I really didn’t want to climb back up the way I’d come down so that became the last resort option. I considered traversing along the hillside to hook up the PCT near the same elevation which on paper would be the easiest choice physically, but that also meant a long swing out to the east adding distance to my hike. The other option was to head steeply downhill from the lake and rejoin the PCT in the large meadow below. I checked my GPS and based on the topographic map it appeared possible and if successful it would cut off quite a bit of distance. I picked up what was either a use or game trail heading downhill and began to follow it. I stuck to game/use trails and/or rocky channels to avoid stepping on vegitation as I navigated downhill.
Mountain heater
In sight of the meadow the PCT passes through.
Looking back up toward Sprague Lake.
As I neared the PCT I spotted the woman that I’d passed earlier coming down the PCT. She was still above the meadow, and she appeared a little confused when she spotted me below her on the trail. Once I was back on the PCT I followed it back down to the signed turnoff for N Scout Lake (and N Bays Lake) to locate Heather.
Gentians along the PCT.
Mountain ash with Russell Lake in view.
Russell Lake
Paintbrush
Field of aster and gentians.
A crescent butterfly
Painted lady
The South Breitenbush Trail (post) junction. Yet another trailhead that remains closed.
Heading toward Scout Lake.
There were several large mushrooms in the meadows.
Paintbrush and gentians
Tiny toad
Scout Lake
I didn’t have any trouble locating Heather who had arrived about an hour earlier. I took a break here with her to eat some food, change socks, and give my legs a rest. After my break we split up again briefly as I continued around Scout Lake the way Heather had come in and she went north to the PCT and followed it south around the lake.
Park Butte beyond Scout Lake
Sign ahead along the PCT.
I waited at the PCT junction for Heather and then we started our hike back together.
The bridge of Whitewater Creek. It was very evident today where the creek got its name.
A few clouds moving in as we approached Russell Creek.
Not too long after climbing up from the creek crossing we were scanning the hillsides across the valley and spotted three mountain goats.
While we knew there were some goats that called the Mt. Jefferson area home we were a little surprised to see them here. We watched them for a while before continuing on.
Woodpecker Ridge from the PCT.
We took a brief break at the tarn along the PCT where we heard a number of pikas. They were noisy but shy although I did manage to catch two on camera.
Pika #1
Pika #2
After the break we climbed to the junction with the Woodpecker Ridge Trail and turned right to complete our hike. We passed several groups heading up the trail including a few hunters and some rock climbers.
Back at the junction.
The view from the junction.
Entering the green section along Woodpecker Ridge.
Triangulation Point in the distance and cars parked at the trailhead below.
Heather’s hike to and around Scout Lake had been a little over 12-miles with approximately 1500′ of elevation gain. My hike to Park Ridge and Sprague Lake came in just over 18-miles on the GPS with close to 2600′ ov elevation gain.
That was a little further than I had hoped so it was a good thing I did decide to cut straight down to the PCT from Sprague Lake. My legs and feet were pretty well done when we made it back to the car, but finally getting to Sprague Lake was worth it. It was sad to see firsthand the extensive damage done by the fires, but seeing that many of the trees in Jefferson Park had survived was encouraging. Happy Trails!
wanderingyuncks 
One reply on “Woodpecker Trail to Jefferson Park – 09/13/2024”
[…] outside of Crater Lake. Our most recent visit was last September via the Woodpecker Ridge Trail (post). The earliest date of any of the previous visits had been the 2015 visit on August 8th. That was a […]