Running the Salmon River, Devils Peak and Hunchback Mountain

First off there are quite a few Salmon rivers in United States. This trail description is for a run along the Salmon River in Oregon (more specifically near Mt. Hood, about 5 miles south of the town of Zigzag).

There a number of possible runs in the Salmon creek area. This page describe one particular run that Steve Peterson took a group of us on. This route offers a nice variety of terrian with river views, pine trees, ridges and even a fire lookout. This run has a different feel than the Gorge runs and I'd recommend adding it to your list.

When To Do This Run

If you want to run up Devils Peak/Hunchback mountain then you'll have to wait until late spring. In 2003, a low snow year, a group of us ran this trail at the end of May. We made it through but even so there was about 1/4 mile on snow and we had to search a little for the route. On the way down there were many downed trees that hadn't been cleared yet.

If you don't want to go up Hunchback then you can go a lot earlier. The start of the run at Salmon creek is at 1600 feet. The trail gradually climbs up to 3400 ft over 13 miles at the far end of the trail. You could certainly do an out and back early in the year.

General Route Information

The big picture for this run is out along the salmon river, do a loop at the far end and then, instead of running straight back, you take a detour up to Devils Peak and Hunchback mountain and back down. The stretch out along the river is a gradual climb with some long rolling hills (and neat views of the Salmon River from above). The climb up Devils Peak is a grind with 2445 feet in 3.5 miles. At some point you attain the ridge and follow that up to a fire lookout cabin atop Devils Peak.

The 3D map below shows the general route for the run. Route finding is relatively clear but you definitely want to bring a map. Water is plentiful as you head out and back along the Salmon. Once you turn off to Devils Peak/Hunchback you leave the water behind. It is 3.5 miles (and much climbing) to the summit (fire lookout) on the backside there is a spring about 1/4 mile off the trail. There is no more water for another 5.5 miles when you finally hit the road along Salmon river. I brought 32 oz the first time I ran it and ran out on the section up to Hunchback.

3D overview of the course. This image was created with Delorme Topo USA.

Maps and Reference Information

Maps
You need to bring a map for this run. I really like Green Trails maps. For this run I'd take No. 461 - Government Camp and No. 493 - High Rock. Both maps are needed. The run does not fit on one map.

Weather
This run isn't as exposed or long as running around Mt. Hood but you probably want to check the weather before heading out. I'd suggest checking the weather.com link for Government camp or the National Weather Service Northwest forecast.

Ranger
It's a good idea to check with the ranger before heading up to find out if there are any trail closures or other info. The Sandy office appears to be the best bet 503 622-7674 They also have a website at http://www.fs.fed.us/r6/mthood.

Mileage Splits and Time Estimate

The table below gives split distances for the run. Note that if you want some extra training you can start the the run 2 miles down river by parking you car at the first pull out on Salmon River Road. The trail and road parallel the river for 2 miles before the bridge crossing.

Mileage and elevation above is from Green Trails

The above run takes a while. I took me about 10 hours to cover it one day. I brought along my Avocet altimiter watch and recorded a cumlative elevation gain of just over 6000 ft.

Driving Directions

Take HWY 26 towards government camp.
Drive through Sandy & Wemme.
Just before the town of Zigzag, take a right on Salmon River road (AKA FR2618)
Drive this road for about 7 miles to the turn off at the trail head on the left - just before the bridge across the river.

To park at the Trailhead you must have a Northwest Forest Pass.

Note that if you want to extend the run by 5 miles (2.5 miles out and 2.5 miles back) you can park at the first pulloff on the Salmon Road River and run the 2.5 miles to the trail head. The trail is nice along the river with little elevation gain.

NOTE: This page contains running information for experienced ultra runners. Experience ultra runners are people who have already completed 50K, 50Mile or longer ultramarathons. The advice on this page is not directed towards hikers or typical 10k recreational runners. No guarantee is made about the accuracy of maps or information on this page. This page is only intended as a starting point for your own research on places to run. Always check route information yourself and be prepared.