Trapper Creek Wilderness

Observation Peak is the highest point in the Trapper Creek Wilderness. As the crow flies, the Peak is a little over 40 miles northeast of Portland. A loop trail follows Trapper Creek for a few miles before climbing the headwall of the Creek’s basin through a series of steep switchbacks. From there it is several miles to the top of the Peak.

The return trail drops down a ridge, eventually connecting with the Trapper Creek Trail again. Overall, it is 14 miles with 3,500 feet of elevation gain. It makes for a very nice hike in the summer on a sunny day.

A word of caution is that the early portion of the trail from Government Mineral Springs is now closed. It is sad because the trail passed many giant old-growth cedar trees. Now the trail begins on the north side of Trapper Creek.