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Katsuk Point

From Portland Hikers Field Guide

This page is marked as Off trail. The route or sections of the route may be dangerous and hard to follow and is not recommended for beginning hikers without an experienced leader. Beginning hikers should check out our Basic Hiking Information page.
This tree was cleared decades ago on remote Katsuk Point, possibly for a lookout site in the early 1900s (Tom Kloster)
This tree was cleared decades ago on remote Katsuk Point, possibly for a lookout site in the early 1900s (Tom Kloster)
Indian ceremonial pit near the cliffs of Katsuk Point (Tom Kloster)
Indian ceremonial pit near the cliffs of Katsuk Point (Tom Kloster)
A maze of beargrass meadows spread across the gentle crest of Katsuk Point (Tom Kloster)
A maze of beargrass meadows spread across the gentle crest of Katsuk Point (Tom Kloster)
  • Hikes to this location:
  • Latitude: 45.45125
  • Longitude: -121.71504
  • Maps: Portland Hikers Maps Google Earth
  • Elevation: 4875 feet

Contents

Description

Katsuk Point is a sprawling rocky bluff that towers 2,500 feet above the Clear Branch Valley, and provides a close-up view of the rugged north face of Mount Hood. The ancient saw marks on several trees near the crest suggest that this was once used as a lookout site. The Indian ceremonial pits near the main cliffs suggest that humans have been visiting this inspiring location for centuries, or even millennia. "Katsuk" is Chinook jargon for "in the middle of" or "in the center", and describes the location of Katsuk Point in the center of a huge amphitheater formed by Mount Hood and the opposing Clear Branch Rim, and the fact that the area forms the headwaters of the Middle Fork Hood River.

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Contributors

Portland Hikers Field Guide is built as a collaborative effort by its user community. While we make every effort to fact-check, information found here should be considered anecdotal. You should cross-check against other references before planning a hike. Trail routing and conditions are subject to change. Please contact us if you notice errors on this page.