Oak Ridge climbs about 1,920 feet from Smullin Drive (1,760 feet) to a junction with Surveyor’s Ridge Trail #688 (3,680 feet), looking out over the Hood River Valley. The views take in Mt. Rainier, Mount St. Helens, Mt. Adams and Mt. Hood, and it makes a good early-season pick.
Switchbacks carry you up through clearings and groves of Oregon white oak, then into a mix of oak and fir after the first mile. Near the crest you cross Forest Road 1700-640, and the Surveyor’s Ridge junction is just beyond. To get there, drive 14.4 miles south of Hood River on Highway 35, go east on Smullin Drive, and follow a short dirt spur to the parking area.
Trail map & elevation
- Trail class
- Class 2 of 5
- Typical grade
- 20-30%
- Surface
- Native material
- Tread width
- 18-24 inches
- Ranger district
- Hood River
Connects to: Surveyor’s Ridge Trail #688
Line, length and trail class: U.S. Forest Service trail data. Elevation: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Difficulty is our estimate for hiking it out and back (once around for a loop), from distance and total climb. Lines can be off by a few hundred feet; carry a real map and check the official page for closures.
Things to do
- Outdoor Science and Learning
- Viewing
Getting there
From Hood River
- travel 14.4 miles south on Hwy 35 to Smullin Drive.
- Turn left (east) on Smullin Drive and follow it 0.3 mile.
- Take the dirt road to the left and travel 0.25 mile to the parking area on the right (east) side of the road.
From the Forest Service
Season details
Usually accessible in April
