From Riley Horse Camp north of Zigzag, Cast Creek Trail #773 climbs steadily and steeply through forest on a westside Cascade mountainside, switchbacking up into the Mount Hood Wilderness to Zigzag Mountain Trail #775. The trailhead, shared with the Horseshoe Ridge and Sandy River trails, is at the horse camp on Forest Road 1825-380, reached from US Hwy 26.
At the top, Cast Lake Trail #796 begins just 500 feet west along #775. For a longer day, take #775 west for 1.9 miles, turn north onto Horseshoe Ridge Trail #774 for 4.6 miles down to Forest Road 1825-380, and walk 0.1 mile back to camp, an 11.8-mile loop. Otherwise, simply retrace your steps.
Trail map & elevation
- Trail class
- Class 3 of 5
- Typical grade
- 12-20%
- Surface
- Native material
- Tread width
- 18-24 inches
- Ranger district
- Zigzag
Connects to: Zigzag Mountain Trail #775
More about the Mount Hood 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
- Follow U.S. Hwy 26 17.5 miles east of Sandy to Zigzag.
- At Zigzag, approximately 0.4 mile past milepost 42, turn left (north) on Lolo Pass Road (Forest Road 18).
- Turn left on Lolo Pass Road and travel 4 miles to Forest Road 1825.
- Turn right (east) onto Forest Road 1825 and travel 1.2 miles to Forest Road 1825-380.
- Turn Right (south) onto Forest Road 1825-380 and travel 200 feet to the Riley Horse Camp parking area and trailhead on the east side of the road.
From the Forest Service
Rules and restrictions
Wilderness restrictions apply.
Unprocessed livestock feed is prohibited. Any feed that may serve as a seed source for non-native plants is considered unprocessed.
Hitching, tethering or picketing any stock within 100 feet of a water source is prohibited.
Passes and permits
A valid Recreation Pass is required at the Cast Creek, Horseshoe Ridge, Sandy River trailhead from May 1 to Oct 31.
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)
Trails nearby
Zigzag Mountain Trail #775
24.4 mi round trip
8,421 ft
Very hard
Cast Lake Trail #796
1 mi round trip
218 ft
Easy
Sandy River Trail #770
6.6 mi round trip
690 ft
Moderate
Horseshoe Ridge Trail #774
9.2 mi round trip
3,259 ft
Very hard
Devils Tie Trail #767
0.6 mi round trip
345 ft
Easy
Lost Creek Nature Trail #776
0.6 mi round trip
31 ft
Easy
French’s Dome Trail #776
0.6 mi round trip
31 ft
Easy
Burnt Lake Trail #772
9 mi round trip
1,984 ft
Hard
Pacific Crest Trail (Zigzag RD)
85.4 mi round trip
16,324 ft
Very hard
West Zigzag Trail #789
4.6 mi round trip
1,607 ft
Hard