24. Upper Badger Loop
2024 Status
The hike description below is based on my last visit in 1993. I plan to field check in 2024, and will update the hike description, photos and map later in 2024.
Summary
Length 7 ½ mile loop from Gumjuwac Saddle
Difficulty Moderate to difficult
Season Summer to early autumn
Elevation range 3,560 – 5,220 feet
Human imprint Low (Badger Creek Wilderness)
Information Mount Hood National Forest (Barlow Ranger District)
Primary old growth features
Mixed-conifer old growth in an eastside wilderness.
Description
This loop samples the wide diversity of tree species and vegetation types draped across the upper slopes of the Badger Creek Wilderness. Hikers are also treated to views downslope across the wilderness, and a stop at Badger Lake. If your vehicle is not suited for the last two miles of access road (high-clearance vehicles highly recommended on FR 3550), add two easy miles of scenic hiking each way on the road. Alternatively, Gumjuwac Saddle can be reached by hiking 2 ½ miles uphill on the Gumjuwac Trail from Highway 35 (see hike 25).
From Gumjuwac Saddle, head downslope to the east into the Badger Creek Wilderness on the Gumjuwac Trail (480). Shortly after leaving the saddle some large Englemann spruce accent an interesting dry meadow complex. The trail descends steeply along Gumjuwac Creek through a diverse species mix of older trees including grand fir, mountain hemlock, Engelmann spruce, Pacific silver fir and occasional western larch. Old Douglas-fir and ponderosa pine mix in on the warmer lower slopes as the trail nears Badger Creek. Signs of past defoliation and mortality from spruce budworm outbreaks are evident.
Turn right on the Badger Creek Trail (479) approximately 2 ¼ miles from the saddle heading southwest towards Badger Lake. Diverse species and past defoliation events continue with occasional western redcedar, noble fir and western white pine mixing in. Past blowdown is evident in places. Stay to the right (north) of the lake, ignoring paths to the left towards the campground, and intersect the Divide Trail (458) approximately 2 ¼ miles from the Gumjuwac Trail. Take the Divide Trail across the slope to the north closing the loop at Gumjuwac Saddle approximately 3 miles later.
If you prefer to hike the steeper segment uphill, hike the loop in the opposite direction from that described here.
30 Years of Change
The Gumjuwac Saddle Fire (2006) burned adjacent to a small segment of the Divide Trail. There has also been extensive blowdown the Badger Creek. I plan to field check in 2024.
How to get there
Turn northeast onto FR 44 (Dufur Mill Road) off of Highway 35, 25 miles south of Hood River (13 miles north of Highway26/Highway 35 junction.). Turn right (south) onto FR 4410 after 3 ¾ miles. A junction with FR 4420 and FR 3550 will be reached 4 ¾ miles up FR 4410. Turn left and park at the trailhead in a quarter mile to take the long way up and over Lookout Mountain. Turn right on FR 3550 to start the loop at Gumjuwac Saddle in 2 miles. Note that FR 3550 requires a high-clearance vehicle.
Map note
The map below was created in 1993 and accurate at that time. I plan to field check and update the map in 2024.
