Russell Lake and Mount Jefferson in the harsh mid morning light (Jamey Pyles)

Mountain bog gentian (Gentiana calycosa), Jefferson Park (bobcat)

Park Butte and meadow, Jefferson Park (bobcat)

Dwarf blueberries in Jefferson Park (bobcat)

Mt. Jefferson from one of Jefferson Park's many alpine lakes at sunrise (Jamey Pyles)

The route of the South Breitenbush Trail to Jefferson park (bobcat) Courtesy: Caltopo/USFS

• Start point: South Breitenbush Trailhead
• Ending Point: Jefferson Park
• Hike type: In and out
• Distance: 13 miles round trip
• Elevation gain: 2900 feet
• High point: 5,970 feet
• Difficulty: Difficult
• Seasons: July - September
• Family Friendly: No
• Backpackable: Yes
• Crowded: At Jefferson Park on weekends

Hike Description

NOTICE: Trails in this area were affected by the 2020 Lionshead Fire. Please check current closures in the Willamette National Forest before planning an outing.

There are several ways to reach the alpine paradise of Jefferson Park, but most hikers make use of the three most popular trails. If you want the most scenery packed hike from trailhead to destination, the Jefferson Park via Park Ridge Hike is for you. If you prefer a shorter, easier (which also makes it more crowded) stroll with nice mid-aged and older trees and a killer extra viewpoint of Mount Jefferson, pick the Jefferson Park from Whitewater Trailhead hike. This is the third route into the park, from the South Breitenbush Trailhead. It is longer, at 13 miles round trip, and climbs about 1000 more feet of elevation than the Whitewater Trail. This hike has a relentless, moderately steep grade throughout its 6.5 mile track high above the South Fork Breitenbush River, which you don't get to see until you're close to its source at Jefferson Park. The trail surface is mostly rock for the last four miles, and is fairly rough on the feet. That being said, the South Breitenbush Trail does tour some scenic territory in the last two miles as it wanders around several flower filled meadows with tarns before descending from its high point into Jefferson Park.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Bear in mind that in 2020, the severe and devastating Lionshead Fire swept along the entire route of this hike, having passed through Jefferson Park itself. Check trail conditions before you go. Also, as of 2021, the Central Cascades Wilderness Permit is required of all hikers, including day trippers, who enter the wilderness (the Friday prior to Memorial Day through the last Friday in September). Designated campsites in Jefferson Park must be reserved via this process.

From the Trailhead, take off through the forest and reach the Crag Trail Junction in a few steps. Continue left on the South Breitenbush Trail #3375. The grade from here gets a little steeper as it climbs higher and higher above the South Fork Breitenbush River, entering the Mount Jefferson Wilderness. You will cross several small creeks within the first 1.5 miles. Then the trail condition takes a turn for the worse, with the tread becoming looser and more rubbly. At about two miles, the trail reaches the junction with the Bear Point Trail.

The trail gets rockier and steeper from here. Back in the 1990s, you could see Mount Jefferson over the new trees from here out, but since then the trees have obscured the view. Cross two more small streams. After 3.5 miles, you'll get to the most scenic part of the hike. The trail crosses several small meadows with alpine flowers and seasonal ponds for the next mile or so. This gives a hiker the false sense that they are very close to Jefferson Park. The trail rises over the high point of the hike and descends to another bowl of alpine ponds. You will find yourself finally descending into beautiful Jefferson Park, first crossing the main branch of the South Fork Breitenbush River.

If you stay on the main trail, it will take you to Russell Lake shortly. It is also recommended that you check out Scout Lake and Bays Lake. If you explore off the PCT, you will find several other smaller lakes and more solitude. If you take the PCT to the north, you can climb to Park Ridge, with an expansive view of the park below and a reach-out-and-touch-it view of Mount Jefferson.

Maps

• Maps: Hike Finder
• Green Trails Maps: Mt Jefferson, OR #557
• U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Detroit Ranger District
• U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Willamette National Forest
• Pacific Northwest Recreation Map Series: Willamette Cascades
• Pacific Northwest Recreation Map Series: Central Oregon Cascades
• Geo-Graphics: Mount Jefferson Wilderness
• National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: Mount Jefferson, Mount Washington
• Adventure Maps: Mount Jefferson, Bull of the Woods & Opal Creek Wilderness Trail Map

Fees, Regulations, etc.

• Self-issued wilderness permit
• Northwest Forest Pass (or America the Beautiful Pass) required
• Central Cascades Wilderness Permit required: $6 overnight permit; $1 per person day use (June 15th - October 15th)

Trip Reports

• Search Trip Reports for Jefferson Park South Breitenbush

• Jefferson Park x2, 30 June & 4 July
• Jefferson Park Loop via South Breitenbush Trail (8/17)
• Jefferson Park Loop (9/15-16)
• Jefferson Park (via South Breitenbush), Labor Day 2012

Related Discussions / Q&A

• Search Trail Q&A for Jefferson Park South Breitenbush

Guidebooks that cover this hike

• Extraordinary Oregon! by Matt Reeder
• PDX Hiking 365 by Matt Reeder
• 101 Hikes in the Majestic Mount Jefferson Region by Matt Reeder
• Hiking Oregon’s Geology by Ellen Morris Bishop
• 60 Hiking Trails: Central Oregon Cascades by Don & Roberta Lowe
• Best Hikes With Dogs: Oregon by Ellen Morris Bishop

More Links

• South Breitenbush Trail #3375 (USFS)
• Jefferson Park via Breitenbush TH Hike (Northwest Hiker)
• Jefferson Park Wilderness (Fat Girl Does the World)
• South Breitenbush Trail to Jefferson Park 8/11/18 (wanderingyuncks)
• Backpacking to Jefferson Park via South Breitenbush Trail (Loomis Adventures)
• Jefferson Park (Trails NW)
• Jefferson Park - Hiking (Roots Rated)
• "Take the tougher trail to Jefferson Park" (Statesman Journal)
• Jefferson Park (Northwest Wildflowers)

Contributors

• Jamey Pyles (creator)