The Best Backpacking in Detroit

From Highway 22 at the Breitenbush River Bridge, in Detroit, turn north on to French Creek Rd. Drive up French Creek about 7.7 miles to the Upper TH #3379/3381 to Dome Rock and Tumble Lake. The trail can be found on the left side of the road and is easily seen after you pass it. It's best to pass...

Elk Lake to Twin Lakes is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Lyons, Oregon.

With no officially marked trailhead, this hike begins slightly west of Elk Lake in Marion County. Take Highway 22 to Detroit, OR. East of the bridge over Breitenbush River, turn onto (FR) Forest Road 46, with signs pointing to Breitenbush River. After 4.5 miles turn left at a sign for Elk Lake, a...

Bagby Trail #54 and Battle Ax Mountain Trail #3340 is a loop trail where you may see local wildlife located near Detroit, Oregon.

Twin Lakes via Battle Ax Mountain and Bagby Trails Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Detroit, Oregon.

Triangulation Peak, Spire Rock and Boca Cave TH #3372 The trail starts on level ground where you travel east along the top of the ridge. There are multiple trees that have fallen across the trail making the hike quite adventurous. Some trees you'll go over and some you will need to go under. Dep...

Coffin Mountain Fire Lookout is a beautiful day hike that takes you to its summit at 5771 feet elevation, covering roughly 1070 feet elevation gain. To get to the Coffin Mt. trailhead from Detroit OR, travel east on Highway 22 for approximately 19.5 miles to Forest Road 11 (Straight Creek Road)....

Battle Axe Summit via Whetstone, Twin Lakes, Elk Lake is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Detroit, Oregon.

On Saturday, I slid into the backseat alongside weekend belongings crammed in the car trunk. Backpacks with patches and streaks of dust. Bags of food that could be cooked over the flames of a fire.We drove south on the 5, leaving Portland and crossing through Salem, as Lake Street Dive albums pla...

Bull of the Woods Wilderness Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Detroit, Oregon.

This hike begins 7.5 miles down Whitewater Road at the Whitewater Trailhead, about 10 miles east of Detroit Lake. The road is bumpy, but can be navigated at slow speeds, even without four-wheel drive. Make sure to fill out a wilderness pass once you arrive at the trailhead. The trail is very wel...

Starting at the Whitewater Trailhead, the path begins in a gorgeous old growth Douglas Fir forest. The first 1.5 miles are switchbacks gaining most your elevation and probably the toughest section of the hike. As it starts to level you'll find yourself following a ridge with some spectacular view...

Pamelia Lake and Grizzly Peak is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Idanha, Oregon.

Mount Jefferson via Pamelia Lake Trail, PCT, is an out-and-back trail that takes you through a nice forest located near Idanha, Oregon.

This loop through the Pamelia Lake Limited Entry Area is one of the premier backpacking trips in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness. The trail offers sustained up-close views of Mount Jefferson and several lookout points provide panoramic views of the western Oregon Cascades. The several large back...

After leaving your car at the Pamelia Lake trailhead, hike 2.3 miles along the trail following Pamelia Creek. The Grizzly Peak trailhead will be on the right just before the lake, which you should check out before or after your hike up to Grizzly Peak—there are several campsites around the lake t...