10. Donaca Lake

Note: The Pyramid Fire (2024) burned over a significant portion of this hike, and the trail is now closed.

Summary

Length                                  1-7 miles one way

Difficulty                              Easy to difficult

Season                                 Spring to autumn

Elevation range                 1,960 feet – 2,760 feet

Human imprint                  Minimal

Information                        Willamette National Forest, Sweet Home Ranger District

Primary old growth features

Excellent examples of remote, low-elevation old growth; patches of very old forest.

Description

The Chimney Peak Trail (3382) provides several options for fine hikes through stunning stands of old growth, including a long hike to Donaca Lake, the most popular destination in the Middle Santiam Wilderness. After leaving the trailhead plantation, the trail enters the first of several great groves of giants. Large trees, snags, and down logs are abundant in this classic old-growth forest. The trail soon reaches a short waterfall on the Middle Santiam River by the Shedd Camp Shelter, the first of several potential destinations. A delightful pool below the falls beckons summer swimmers.

Crossing the unbridged river can be problematic during high streamflows, and wet feet are likely in every season. The safest ford is 80-100’ above the falls. A junction with the South Pyramid Creek Trail (3403) lies just beyond the river, providing alternative access to this point via the Forest Road 747 trailhead (Hike 11). Taking the South Pyramid Creek Trail to this junction avoids the river crossing and is also a gorgeous walk through exceptional old forest, but it adds a mile or so each way on the path to Donaca Lake.

Beyond the trail junction, the Chimney Peak Trail contours around the hillside through a superb 700+-year-old forest. The forest here is more open and gappy in places, characteristic of a very old Douglas-fir forest. Another fine example of old growth occurs near the bridgeless crossing of Pyramid Creek at about 3 miles, marking a second potential turnaround spot.

Ford the creek and continue up and over FR 2041 (blocked farther back by several major landslides) to reenter diverse old forest. Mountain bikers will turn right on the road to avoid the Wilderness and continue on the Old Cascade Loop. Younger forest prevails in the vicinity of the junction with the Gordan Peak Trail (3387), but from Swamp Creek to Donaca Lake the forest is superlative. Craggy Douglas-fir 5 to 7 feet thick and scattered old sugar pine border the trail. Pocket-sized Donaca Lake is a peaceful destination.

On your way to the trailhead stop off to see the remnants of the Soda Fork Giant. This was formerly the second largest Douglas-fir by volume known in Oregon and the remaining trunk is still impressive (~10.5-foot diameter). Pull off to the right by the stream just over 2 miles from U.S. Highway 20 on the Soda Fork Road. Although the tree is not marked or signed, you'll know it when you see it.

25 Years of Change

The forest here has changed very slowly and stills feels quite remote and primeval.

How to get there

Turn northeast onto Soda Fork Road (FR 2041) from U.S. Highway 20 at Upper Soda (24 miles east of Sweet Home). Stay on FR 2041 climbing through an actively logged landscape and continue nearly straight (slightly right) at the five-way junction at the ridgeline. Turn right onto the middle road at an unsigned junction ~12 miles from Highway 20 (Forest Road 646). The trailhead is at the end of the road a half mile later.