The 8 best easy and moderate hikes near Detroit Lake, Oregon
Zach UrnessOnly in Oregon is the name Detroit synonymous with relaxing sunny days.
In stark contrast to that "other" Detroit in the Midwest — known mainly for industrial decline, massive debt and white rappers — the small lakeside town in Oregon's Central Cascades is a place where Salem residents flock during summer to boat, fish and camp.
It's also a place with great hiking trails nearby, pathways leading to mountain lakes, mountain views, wildflowers and even a cool cave.
Included below are the best easy to moderate hikes within a reasonable drive of Detroit as compiled by Statesman Journal outdoors writers Zach Urness and Eric Gjonnes.
Many of these hikes will have snow late into the summer, so be sure to check conditions in advance.
For other great hikes semi-near Detroit, see "Oregon Top 5: Best wildflower hikes in the Central Cascades" and "Oregon Top 5: Best hikes within an hour of Salem."
8: Downing Creek Falls
This hidden waterfall roars year-round in a cool mossy grotto about 20 miles from Detroit.
The route to reach this falls doesn't follow an official trail — and it requires a bit of navigating to reach just off Oregon Highway 22.
The hike is 0.6 miles round-trip and mostly flat. It’s generally safe for children, although there are some slippery rocks around the creek and waterfall.
For detailed directions on finding the falls, see this story.
In depth:Visit hidden, moss-covered waterfall near Detroit
Directions: The best place to start navigating is 16 miles east of Detroit at Marion Forks Restaurant (now closed). From the restaurant, drive 3.1 miles east on Highway 22. Turn left on barely noticeable Forest Service Road 162, which isn’t marked. If you cross Downing Creek on the highway, you’ve gone too far.
Follow the overgrown road 0.3 miles and to a junction for road 162. Some people park here and begin following the road, but you can drive a bit farther before downed trees block the road. Park here and start hiking (GPS coordinates: N44° 34.650' W121° 58.664').
Start of hike coordinates: N44° 34.650' W121° 58.664'
Waterfall coordinates: N44° 34.490' W121° 58.397'
7: Firecamp Lakes
This little-known and easy trail meanders through older Douglas-fir, western hemlock and noble-fir forest, ending at Crown Lake and the rest of the Firecamp Lakes just inside the Mount Jefferson Wilderness.
Enjoy wildflowers and views of the Cascades on a hike of less than 2 miles round-trip. Beware of mosquitoes early in summer.
Open: Mid to late June to October
Directions: From Detroit, turn left onto Breitenbush Road 46. Travel about 14 miles, and turn right on Forest Road 4685. Continue about 7 miles to Forest Road 330, turn right and head to the road's end and trailhead. Coordinates: 44.761339, -121.887694.
6: Daly Lake / Parish Lake
This duo of pretty mountain lakes are a bit of a trip from Detroit, but in terms of look and ease, both are tough to beat.
A 1.1-mile wheelchair accessible trail circles Daly Lake among old-growth trees and blooms of rhododendrons. Just across the way, follow an easy half-mile trail to Parish Lake, which lights up with color in autumn. Bring a fishing pole, too, for trout.
Open: June to November
Directions: From Detroit, follow Highway 22 east to milepost 75. Turn right at signs for Parrish Lake Road and follow, onto the gravel, 4.8 miles to a split in the road. Turn right and go uphill 0.4 mile for Daly Lake Trailhead. Head straight/left for ParishLake Trailhead on the left left (just past Pyramid Trailhead). Coordinates: 44.541797, -122.0679.
5: Stahlman Point
If there were a list for most underrated hikes in Willamette National Forest, this trail likely would lead the pack.
Beginning on the south side of Detroit Lake, this moderately difficult hike climbs gradually through groves of old-growth to a spectacular viewpoint of Mount Jefferson. The trail always is open, even during the worst storms, making it one of those rare always-open trails in the mountains.
The hike is 4.8 miles round-trip with 1,300 feet of elevation gain.
In depth:Hike above Detroit Lake to view of Mount Jefferson
Open: year-round
Directions: From Detroit, continue on Highway 22 a short distance to mile marker 53 and the "entering Idanha" sign. Turn right onto Blowout Road (Forest Service Road 10). Drive 3.8 miles until you see the Stahlman Point Trail No. 3449 and its trailhead on your left.
4: South Breitenbush Gorge
This blissful slice of trail follows the South Breitenbush River 3 miles one-way, across a series of funky bridges, through an old-growth forest filled with wildflowers (in spring) or bright autumn colors (in autumn).
Two highlights include a gorge where the river thunders into a narrow slot (don't fall in here!) and a scenic bridge over mossy, pristine Roaring Creek.
Make sure to follow "gorge" pointers on the trail. But to find the gorge itself, keep an eye out exactly 2.5 miles from the trailhead for two old logs sticking out into the trail. Follow this spur down toward the sound of rushing water for the viewpoint.
The Roaring Creek bridge is the turnaround point for a 6-mile out-and-back hike.
In depth:South Breitenbush Gorge offers old-growth, waterfalls and solitude
Open: March to late November (or whenever snow starts in lower elevations)
Directions: From Detroit, turn left onto Breitenbush River Road 46 for 11 miles. Just past the mile marker 11, turn right onto a road that is marked by a stop sign and labeled Road 4600-050. Continue down this gravel road less than half a mile to a pullout on the left, just before a green gate. The trail begins just to the left of the green gate with signs marked "gorge trail."
3: Tumble Lake and Dome Rock
Most people hike the extremely long and steep trail that begins on the side of Highway 22 in Detroit to reach this former lookout site (Dome Rock) and alpine lake (Tumble Lake). But there's an easier way.
Follow a network of forest roads in summer, and you can reach Upper Tumble Ridge Trailhead.
From here, hike through shady forest about 0.4 miles to a junction. Then a decision comes.
Turn left, and you can reach the summit of Dome Rock in 0.9 miles. Follow the trail to a sign pointing to Dome Rock, and climb it to spectacular views from an old lookout tower site.
On the other hand, turn right, and you'll reach Tumble Lake in 1.3 steep downhill miles that loses almost 800 feet. The reward is a sparkling blue lake set amid the mountains, and the ability to hike to the top of a towering waterfall.
To hike both, it's a little more than 5 miles total with 1,771 feet of climb.
Open: Mid-June to September
Directions: From Detroit, near the Breitenbush Bridge, turn onto French Creek Road (Forest Road 2223). Follow the pavement 4.1 miles. At a fork, veer left onto gravel to stay on road 2223. Follow this bumpy road, which has some exposure, for 3.7 miles. There is a small sign marking the trailhead. Park at a pullout on the side of the road. If you reach a fork with FSR 520, you've gone too far.
Coordinates: N44° 45.316' W122° 13.500'
2: Olallie Lake Scenic Area
A paradise of more than 200 mountain lakes, old-growth forest and delicious huckleberries highlight this scenic, forested plateau northeast of Detroit.
The trail with quickest access from Detroit is the Red Lake Trail, which begins at a little-traveled trailhead and climbs 1.5 miles and 900 feet through big, shaded trees to the Olallie plateau.
The first lake you'll encounter is Red Lake (1.7 mile mark), but many follow, including Averill Lake (2.0), Wall Lake (2.7) and Sheep Lake (3.0). Continue as far as your legs will take you, but make sure you bring a swimsuit on hot summer days and see how many lakes you can swim in (or "bag").
Open: Late June to October
Directions: From Detroit, turn left on Breitenbush Road 46 for 18 miles and watch for sights pointing out Red Lake Trail on the right. Turn right at the pointer, Forest Service Road 380, for just less than 1 mile. Watch for the trailhead sign on the left, and park at a pullout on the right. (GPS coordinates: N44 49.278 W121 52.387).
1: Triangulation Peak and Boca Cave
The view of Mount Jefferson fills up the entire sky, so close it feels as though you could reach out and touch Oregon's second tallest mountain, from the summit of this easy to moderate hike.
Throw in the chance to visit the amazing Boca Cave — where more outstanding views of Jefferson can be had — and you have our top hike of this list.
The view also includes views of forest burned by the 2017 Whitewater Fire.
The trail begins at a trailhead just outside the Mount Jefferson Wilderness (the trailhead doesn't actually indicate where the trail will bring you). After 1.7 miles, follow an unmarked trail to the right and climb 0.6 miles and 503 feet to the summit overlook.
Near the top, look for a faint trail leading off to the east that brings you to Boca Cave. The full hike is 4.6 miles round-trip with 904 feet of climb.
The hike to both places is 5.2 miles round-trip with 1,000 feet of climb.
In depth:Wildfire scars make for stunning hike to this Mount Jefferson viewpoint and cave
More:Did the Forest Service ignore the Whitewater Fire and allow it to burn out of control?
Open: Mid June to October
Directions: From Detroit, follow Highway 22 for 5.4 miles, just past Idanha, and turn left on McCoy Creek Road (Forest Service Road 2233). Follow the paved and then gravel road 8 miles. Turn a sharp uphill right at the four-way intersection and continue 1 mile, then turn on Forest Service Road No. 635. You will immediately see the trailhead. (GPS coordinates: N44 43.290 W121 56.924).
