Quiet ridges and wide views around Wildcat Mountain are the draw on Douglas Trail #781, a less traveled route whose eastern section enters the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness. The Douglas Trailhead, an old rock pit at 3,600 feet reached by local roads from Sandy, sits midway along the trail.
Heading east, the trail climbs a rebuilt route along a wooded ridge to McIntyre Ridge Trail #782, then breaks out to views near Wildcat Mountain, with a side trip on Trail #781F, before ending at Plaza Trail #783. Heading west, it descends through logged areas, a short stretch of paved road and classic westside forest, ending at the old 255 spur road, which leads on to Eagle Creek Trail #501.
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: Wildcat Mountain Trail #781F, Eagle Creek Trail #501
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 for 2.7 miles east of Sandy and take a slight right at SE Firwood Road.
- After 0.8 miles, take the third right to say on SE Firwood Road.
- Travel another 2.6 miles on SE Firwood and turn right at SE Wildcat Mountain Drive.
- Travel 1.2 miles on SE Wildcat Mountain Drive and turn left at SE Howlett Road.
- Travel 0.2 miles on SE Howlett Road and continue onto SE Eagle Fern Road.
- Travel 2.8 miles on SE Eagle Fern Road and continue onto SE George Road.
- Travel 2.6 miles on SE George Road and turn left to stay on SE George Road Road.
- Travel 3.4 miles and turn right at SE Harvey Road.
- Travel 1.8 miles on SE Harvey Road to the parking area where the trail begins.
- The trail heads downhill from here.
From the Forest Service
Rules and restrictions
Wilderness restrictions apply in Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness.
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
Wildcat Mountain Trail #781F
0.2 mi round trip
97 ft
Easy
Eagle Creek Trail #501
13.2 mi round trip
4,014 ft
Very hard
McIntyre Ridge Trail #782
7 mi round trip
1,660 ft
Hard
Plaza Trail #783
22.2 mi round trip
7,646 ft
Very hard
Bonanza Trail #786
9.4 mi round trip
3,662 ft
Very hard
Eagle Creek Cutoff Trail #504
4.2 mi round trip
2,317 ft
Hard
Old Baldy Trail #502
12.4 mi round trip
4,384 ft
Very hard
Salmon Mountain Trail #787
3.2 mi round trip
1,051 ft
Moderate
Boulder Ridge Trail #783A
7.4 mi round trip
3,067 ft
Very hard
