16. Lolo Pass – PCT North

Summary

Length                                 5 miles one way

Difficulty                              Moderate to difficult

Season                                Summer to autumn

Elevation range                 3,420 – 4,340 feet

Human imprint                  Low (PCT hikers, views of logged land)

Information                       Mount Hood National Forest (Zigzag Ranger District)

Primary old growth features

Impressive Pacific silver fir and noble fir.

Description

Excellent examples of ridgeline old growth straddle the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT, 2000) for much of the five miles from Lolo Pass to Preachers Peak. Pacific silver fir, noble fir, and mountain hemlock dominate the canopy, joined along the first couple miles by Douglas-fir and western hemlock. This easily accessible hike can be enjoyed at any length, although deep forest blocks wide-angle vistas after the first quarter mile.

The trail rolls along the east side of a prominent ridgeline separating the Bull Run watershed to the west from the West Fork Hood River watershed to the east. Since Bull Run supplies the city of Portland with drinking water, public entry to the watershed is prohibited.

Head north on the PCT (2000) out of Lolo Pass immediately passing under crackling powerlines. The forest along the trail follows a repeating pattern of notable old forest interrupted by occasional patches of blowdown and young forest. Excellent examples of high-elevation forest have developed along most of the trail with patches of striking silver fir and noble fir in several locations. Strong winds near the western end of the Columbia Gorge funnel through gaps between the high points along the ridge, leading to blown down trees and resetting the successional process.

The saddle between Preachers Peak and Devils Pulpit (approximately 5 miles from the trailhead) makes a good turnaround spot, marked by recent blowdown in the saddle between the peaks. Although not visible from the trail, a massive landslide off the southwestern shoulder of Preachers Peak is believed to be the origin of the natural dam that forms Bull Run Lake out of view to the southwest. The Huckleberry Mountain Trail (617) intersects the PCT from the right about a half mile prior to the saddle leading down to Lost Lake.

25 Years of Change

The forest appears largely unchanged. The forest is aging gracefully and occasional blowdown continues in the gaps.

How to get there

Turn north onto East Lolo Pass Road (FR 18) from U.S. Highway 26 at Zigzag (29 miles southeast of Gresham). Follow FR 18 for 10.6 miles to Lolo Pass. Parking is in a small lot around the corner to the right; the trail is to the left.