Mazamas — For the Love of Mountains
Activity Notes
Opal Creek is famous for its emerald pools and titanic old-growth forest, but few take the time to explore off the beaten trail in this area. Join AYM for a long loop over Whetstone Mountain and down into Battle Ax Creek and Opal Creek’s canyons. We’ll start at Opal Creek’s busy trailhead and follow the old road to the junction with the Whetstone Mountain Trail. We’ll then turn left here and hike uphill many miles to the summit of Whetstone Mountain. If the weather is clear we’ll have a view here from the Washington Cascades to the Three Sisters. From there, we’ll continue along the ridgeline to a junction with the Gold Creek Trail. We turn right here and hike downhill to a bridgeless but easy crossing of Battle Ax Creek. From there, we’ll follow the old road to Opal Pool, and then back through stupendous old-growth to the Opal Creek Trailhead. Plan on a long and rewarding day.
Please come prepared for this adventure. Pack the 10 Essentials, 3 liters of water, clothing for any weather and your sense of adventure. Wilderness area, hike will be capped at 12 participants. NW Forest Pass required to park at the trailhead.
Hike: 14.6 miles
Elevation gain: 4,000 feet
Drivetime from Portland: 2 hours and 20 minutes each way (170 miles round-trip)
Meet at Holgate Park and Ride (SE 94th Avenue and SE Holgate BLVD) at 7:00AM. We will depart by 7:10. Don’t be late!
