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Trail

Jackpot Meadows Trail #492

A trail from the upper Salmon River to the Pacific Crest Trail just north of Timothy Lake, by way of Jackpot Meadows and Dry Meadows.

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

Linking the upper Salmon River with the Pacific Crest Trail, Jackpot Meadows Trail #492 goes by Jackpot Meadows and Dry Meadows on its way toward Timothy Lake. The northern trailhead, on Forest Road 2656-309 off Trillium Lake Road, is also where Salmon River Trail #742 ends.

From the north, the trail descends 1 mile to a small footbridge over the Salmon River, then climbs a rocky, exposed 0.7 mile out of the canyon. The next 1.9 miles are gentle, leading to Forest Road 58. Cross the road and walk another 0.9 mile to meet the PCT north of Timothy Lake, about 4.5 miles from the start.

Trail map & elevation

Length4.5 mi one way
Climb792 ft up, 1,038 ft down
Elevation3,072 to 4,048 ft
DifficultyHard
3,0003,5504,1000 mi4.5 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
12-18 inches
Ranger district
Zigzag

Connects to: Salmon River Trail #742

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. to the northern trailhead (No fee), follow US Hwy 26 30.7 miles east of Sandy and turn right (south) at Forest Road 2656.
  2. Travel 1.8 miles and turn left at Trillium Lake Road (Forest Road 2656).
  3. Travel 1.8 miles and continue onto Forest Road 2656-309.
  4. Travel 2 miles on Forest Road 2656-309 to the trailhead, and the east end of Salmon River Trail #742.

From Portland, OR

  1. to the southern trailhead (No fee), follow US Hwy 26 40.2 miles east of Sandy and turn right (west) at Skyline Road (Forest Road 42).
  2. Travel 1.1 miles and turn right toward Forest Road 2660.
  3. Drive 2.5 miles and turn right at Forest Road 2660.
  4. Travel 0.9 mile and turn right at Abbott Road (Forest Road 58).
  5. Travel 270 feet and turn left at Forest Road 5890.
  6. Travel 1 mile and park in the small turn out on the north side of the road.
  7. The Pacific Crest Trail #2000 crosses the road here.
  8. Travel north 0.9 miles on the Pacific Crest Trail #2000 to the junction with the south end of the Jackpot Meadow Trail #492.

From the Forest Service

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

Salmon River Trail #742 28 mi round trip 6,927 ft Very hard Pacific Crest Trail (Zigzag RD) 85.4 mi round trip 16,324 ft Very hard Dry Fir Trail #674A 5.8 mi round trip 963 ft Hard Sherar Burn Road Trail #2613 18 mi round trip 2,557 ft Veda Lake Trail #673 2.4 mi round trip 889 ft Moderate Little Crater Lake Trail #500 0.6 mi round trip 0 ft Easy Timothy Lake Trail #528 14.8 mi round trip 1,118 ft Hard Old 1916 Trail #537 8.4 mi round trip 903 ft Hard Eureka Peak Trail #671 2.4 mi round trip 972 ft Moderate Blue Box Trail #483 7.4 mi round trip 1,821 ft Hard

Last checked November 4, 2026