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Trail

Bonanza Trail #786

From the town of Welches, Bonanza Trail follows Cheeney Creek, then climbs into the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness to meet Plaza Trail #783.

Representative photo, not this exact spot. Photo: Sharon Snider via Pexels ยท Pexels License

This one starts right in Welches, partway down East Grove Avenue off Bridge Street, and heads into the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness. Look for a cable on the right, walk up the old logging road behind it, and watch for a sign on a tree where Bonanza Trail #786 drops off to the left.

For roughly 1.6 miles the path follows the northwest side of Cheeney Creek, then climbs 3.2 miles to Plaza Trail #783. The area near Huckleberry Mountain is known for excellent views. Return the same way, or set up a shuttle: go right on Plaza Trail, pick up Boulder Ridge Trail #783A, and follow it down to its end near Wildwood.

Trail map & elevation

Length4.7 mi one way
Climb3,272 ft up, 390 ft down
Elevation1,344 to 4,225 ft
DifficultyVery hard
1,3002,8004,3000 mi4.6 mi
Elevation (ft) along the trail
Download GPX Directions to the start
Trail class
Class 2 of 5
Typical grade
12-20%
Surface
Native material
Tread width
18-24 inches
Ranger district
Zigzag

Connects to: Plaza Trail #783

More about the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness and its trails →

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.

Getting there

From Portland, OR

  1. Follow US Hwy 26 17.3 miles east of Sandy.
  2. Turn south on E.
  3. Welches Road and follow it 1.9 miles to Bridge Street.
  4. Take the right onto E.
  5. Bridge Street and follow it 0.1 mile, bearing left onto E.
  6. Grove Ave. The trail starts behind a cable on the right side of the road, up an old logging road.
  7. Once that road turns and starts to flatten out, the Bonanza trail goes down off to the left of this old road (look for trail sign on a tree there).

From the Forest Service

Rules and restrictions

Wilderness restrictions apply.

Ranger office

Zigzag Ranger District
Address: 70220 E Highway 26 Zigzag, OR 97049
Phone: 503-622-3191
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed 12 to 1 for lunch. (Closed on federal holidays)

Details from the official Forest Service page, a public-domain U.S. government source.

Trails nearby

Plaza Trail #783 22.2 mi round trip 7,646 ft Very hard Old Salmon River Trail #742A 3.8 mi round trip 280 ft Easy Boulder Ridge Trail #783A 7.4 mi round trip 3,067 ft Very hard Hunchback Trail #793 18 mi round trip 7,653 ft Very hard Douglas Trail #781 14.2 mi round trip 3,659 ft Very hard Salmon River Trail #742 28 mi round trip 6,927 ft Very hard Green Canyon Way Trail #793A 6.4 mi round trip 3,698 ft Very hard Wildcat Mountain Trail #781F 0.2 mi round trip 97 ft Easy McIntyre Ridge Trail #782 7 mi round trip 1,660 ft Hard Still Creek Road Trail 24.8 mi round trip 2,653 ft Eagle Creek Trail #501 13.2 mi round trip 4,014 ft Very hard Castle Canyon Trail #765 1.6 mi round trip 922 ft Moderate

Last checked November 4, 2026