If you want a hard climb, Cool Creek Trail #794 is it. From Forest Road 2612, also called Still Creek Road, off US 26, it climbs 3 miles into the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness to Hunchback Trail #793, with grades that often hit 25 percent. The first 2 miles are steep and steady, and the last mile eases a little.
The route is mostly wooded and more primitive than many nearby trails, with a few gaps showing Mount Hood, especially toward the southern end. From the junction, Hunchback Trail leads south about 0.1 mile to the turn for Devil’s Peak, then 1.2 miles beyond the peak to where Kinzel Lake Trail #665 begins. Park on the shoulder just past Cool Creek.
Trail map & elevation
- Trail class
- Class 2 of 5
- Typical grade
- 12-20%
- Surface
- Native material
- Tread width
- 12-18 inches
- Ranger district
- Zigzag
Connects to: Hunchback Trail #793
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
- Follow US Hwy 26 19 miles east of Sandy and turn right (southeast), on Still Creek Road (Forest Road 2612).
- Follow Forest Road 2612 for 1.9 mile.
- The trailhead is located on the right soon after crossing Cool Creek (.4 mile after the pavement ends).
- Parking is on the road shoulder.
From the Forest Service
Rules and restrictions
Wilderness restrictions apply.
Trails nearby
Hunchback Trail #793
18 mi
7,653 ft
Very hard
Flag Mountain Trail #766
3.8 mi
1,397 ft
Hard
Still Creek Trail #780
3.2 mi
693 ft
Moderate
Pioneer Bridle Trail #795
16 mi
2,488 ft
Very hard
Kinzel Lake Trail #665
4.2 mi
1,648 ft
Hard
Green Canyon Way Trail #793A
6.4 mi
3,698 ft
Very hard
Salmon River Trail #742
28 mi
6,927 ft
Very hard
West Zigzag Trail #789
4.6 mi
1,607 ft
Hard
Old Salmon River Trail #742A
3.8 mi
280 ft
Easy
Zigzag Mountain Trail #775
24.4 mi
8,421 ft
Very hard
Salmon Butte Trail #791
11 mi
4,551 ft
Very hard