54. Gordon Lakes

Summary

Length – 4 miles one way

Difficulty – Moderate

Season – Late spring to autumn

Elevation range –3,800 feet – 4,240 feet

Human imprint – Minimal (unroaded area)

Information - Willamette National Forest, Sweet Home Ranger District

Primary old growth features

Scattered exceptionally old Douglas-fir; large noble fir.

Description

Although most of the hike passes through mature forest, there are exceptionally old Douglas-fir (775-850 years old) scattered in small patches along the hike. It is a bit mind-bending to stand next to trees that predate European-American colonization of the area by over 500 years. The trail traverses primarily mature forest between Gordon Lakes and Gordon Meadows on a moderate up-and-down grade across the headwaters of three tributaries to the South Santiam. Numerous meadows adjoin the trail, showcased by expansive Gordon Meadows at the end of the hike.

Head west on the Gordon Lakes Trail (3386) quickly coming to upper Gordon Lake. This area has the greatest concentration of super-old Douglas-fir on the hike, first announced by a cluster of gnarly ancient giants as you approach the lake. These thick-barked and broken-topped survivors are almost certainly of the same approximate age as similar ancient trees in the famous Millennium Grove nearby. Logging in the Millennium Grove sparked one of the early old-growth protests and controversies in the 1980s. Fire history studies in this area have dated Douglas-firs of the same size and appearance to an origin age ranging from 1175 AD to 1250 AD.

The trail splits after crossing a small bridge at the lake outlet. Head left for the direct route to Gordon Meadows. Alternatively, head right dropping down to the larger and more scenic lower Gordon Lake. When you’re finished enjoying the lakeside views, either retrace your steps back to the junction, or find the path from the lower lake continuing west to Gordon Meadows. These two paths rejoin at an unmarked trail junction. Either way, make sure you’re headed west towards the meadows.

The forest along the trail is a predominantly mature forest generally less than 150 years old with a mix of Douglas-fir, noble fir, western hemlock and Pacific silver fir. Large noble fir feature on some of the more productive sites highlighted by their long, branchless trunks and distinctive blue-hued crowns. Some of the nicest noble fir are found between the trailhead and upper Gordon Lake.

25 years of change

Not included in the original guides.

How to get there

Turn right (southeast) from U.S. Highway 20 onto FR 2044 (Latiwi Creek Road) toward House Rock Campground approximately 26 miles east of Sweet Home. Follow FR 2044 for approximately 5 ½ miles, then turn right onto FR 230 and park in the trailhead lot at the end of the road 2 ½ miles later. The 230 road passes through a couple blocks containing super-old Douglas-fir on the way to the trailhead.