Mossy old-growth forest lines the Salmon River Trail #742 as it follows the wild and scenic Salmon River into the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness. Chinook and coho salmon, steelhead, and rainbow and cutthroat trout live in the river, and backpackers will find campsites along the way.
Start from the west end, at the Salmon River West Trailhead, about 5 miles up Salmon River Road from US Highway 26. The trail climbs off the riverbank onto a bluff with several viewpoints, on mostly gentle ground with some steep pitches, and it makes a good through hike. Strong hikers can add Kinzel Lake, Hunchback and Green Canyon Way trails for a hard 14.5-mile loop.
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: Old Salmon River Trail #742A, Linney Creek Trail #499, Jackpot Meadows Trail #492, Green Canyon Way Trail #793A, Kinzel Lake Trail #665
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.
Things to do
- Picnicking
Getting there
- To reach the WEST end of the trail from Portland, OR - travel 17.3 miles east of Sandy on US Hwy 26.
- Turn right (south) on Salmon River road and follow it for 5 miles to the parking area.
- The Salmon River West trailhead is on the left (east) side of the road just north of the bridge.
- To reach the EAST end of the trail from Portland, OR - travel 31 miles east of Sandy on US Hwy 26.
- Turn right (south) at Forest Road 2656 (across from Snow Bunny Sno-park).
- Follow it for 1.8 miles past Trillium Lake Campground.
- Turn left (southwest) continuing on Forest Road 2656 for 1.9 miles to Forest Road 2656-309.
- Start right on Forest Road 2656-309 for 2 miles to the trailhead.
- This is also the north trailhead for the Jackpot Meadows Trail #492.
From the Forest Service
Rules and restrictions
Wilderness restrictions apply in Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness. Please practice leave no trace principles - pack out everything you packed in!
All fees
$5/vehicle/day to park at the trailhead.
Passes and permits
A valid recreation pass is required at the Salmon River West Trailhead from May 1 - October 31.
Trails nearby
Old Salmon River Trail #742A
3.8 mi round trip
280 ft
Easy
Linney Creek Trail #499
1 mi round trip
196 ft
Easy
Jackpot Meadows Trail #492
9 mi round trip
1,830 ft
Hard
Green Canyon Way Trail #793A
6.4 mi round trip
3,698 ft
Very hard
Kinzel Lake Trail #665
4.2 mi round trip
1,648 ft
Hard
Salmon Butte Trail #791
11 mi round trip
4,551 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
Hunchback Trail #793
18 mi round trip
7,653 ft
Very hard
Veda Lake Trail #673
2.4 mi round trip
889 ft
Moderate
Cool Creek Trail #794
6 mi round trip
3,375 ft
Very hard
Bonanza Trail #786
9.4 mi round trip
3,662 ft
Very hard