15. House Rock

Summary

Length                                  ¾ mile loop plus an additional mile one way

Difficulty                              Easy

Season                                 Spring to autumn

Elevation range                 1,580 feet – 1,740 feet

Human imprint                  High (campground, high use)

Information                        Willamette National Forest, Sweet Home Ranger District

Primary old growth features

A highly productive riparian forest with very large Douglas-fir.

Description

An appealing loop trail by House Rock Campground circles through a lush and productive old forest along the banks of the South Santiam River. An early autumn visit avoids summer crowds and showcases colorful highlights of leaves in transition.

Cross an impressive trail bridge over the river by the House Rock Campground and turn left heading upriver. Hikers soon pass House Rock, a giant overhanging boulder large enough to shelter small groups. A short spur trail to the left ends at a pretty waterfall and pool and is worth the detour. After returning to the loop, turn right on the historic Santiam Wagon Road, now known as the Santiam Wagon Road Trail (3413). Constructed in the late 1860s, the wagon road was a primary travel and trade route across the Oregon Cascades until the 1930s. Turn right, then turn right again a quarter mile later to close the loop.

Alternatively, a longer stroll on the Santiam Wagon Road Trail continues in the lush old forest produced by this well-watered and fertile site. Instead of making the last right to finish the loop, continue down the wagon road for another mile through immense Douglas-fir. I measured a couple of Douglas-fir at over 8’ in diameter along this stretch, though most are much smaller.

25 Years of Change

The forest appears to have changed little, though the trails are more heavily used now.

How to get there

Turn right (southeast) from U.S. Highway 20 onto FR 2044 toward House Rock Campground approximately 26 miles east of Sweet Home. Then turn right towards the campground and head down to the river. Parking is on the right by the campground entrance a quarter mile later.