Clackamas Mountain

Mixed old-growth ponderosa pine and Douglas fir grassland provide a home for gray wolf, wolverine, lynx, and a variety of birds. The lovely forest also provides an excellent place for hikers to spend a day wandering. Part of the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail, Clackamas Mountain Trail travels up to the summit of Clackamas Mountain with great views to the west. It then traverses down the north side to Cougar Creek and connects to the Cougar Creek #100 road.

A network of trails loop out of Sweat Creek picnic area. A ten mile loop using Trails 310 and 310-A is the most popular, but there are a variety of traveling options. 

The trail system begins approximately 50 yards beyond the outhouse, past a wooden gate. The loop is easiest to follow if hiked counterclockwise. Once you get through the gate, turn right.

This trail stays low for the first quarter mile, then starts climbing towards Clackamas Mountain. Within the first mile there are great views of Fir Mountain, which lies just across Highway 20. There are also giant trees and a few standing snags, along with evidence of wildfires in the area. There are several minor blowdowns on the trail, but only one major blowdown--located along Sweat Creek in the last mile of the trail.

Spring is the best time to visit this area--there is a summer grazing allotment here, but the cattle are not in the area yet. The spring flowers are also one of the best features of this hike.