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| DOIN' THE DOUG - TRAIL GUIDES |
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South Pyramid Creek Trail
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| Length: 5.4 miles Difficulty: Moderate Elevation Gain: 2,100 - 4,400 feet Forest Service Web site (Trail #3403): South Pyramid Creek Trail |
| This trail provides a link with several other trails and trail
systems (the Old Cascades Trail network and the Middle Santiam
Trails). The trail starts by dropping off the base of South Pyramid,
following the creek with the same name. The trail goes through
second-growth forest until reaching Forest Road 2047. West of this
Forest Road, the trail drops through beautiful old-growth forest. This trail connects with the Chimney Peak Trail just past the Middle Santiam River crossing. The Forest Service does not provide a map of this trail that can be used on this web page. Segments of the trail can be seen on the Chimney Peak and the Pyramids Trail pages. From South Pyramid Creek Trail Trailhead this trail follows along the flanks of South Pyramid Peak to Forest Service Road 840 where it meets up with the Crescent Mountain North - South Pyramid Trailhead. From that trailhead, South Pyramid Creek continues through Douglas fir, Western Hemlock of varying ages crossing Pyramid Creek in a few locations before crossing Forest Service Road 2047. After crossing Forest Road 2047, the trail heads through large stands of Western Hemlock and Douglas fir, then drops slightly in elevation before meeting with a spur trail to South Pyramid Horse Camp on the Forest Service Road 747. The trail continues west through old growth Western Hemlock stands and meets up with Chimney Peak Trail a quarter mile north of the Shedd Camp Shelter. Cross the Middle Santiam River ford to see the shelter. Cross the river with caution at all times but especially in spring and fall when the flows are higher. |
| Directions: From Sweet Home, travel east on Highway 20 for 41.8
miles and turn left onto forest Road 2067 (Lava Lake Road). Drive
past Road 508 (the turn to Crescent Mountain trail) for 5.7 miles
then bear left onto Forest Road 560. Continue 3.6 miles to the
trailhead, which is just past Forest Road 572. For an alternate approach, follow Highway 20 to Santiam Junction and turn left onto Highway 22. Continue 4.8 miles to Forest Road 2067 (the other end of Lava Lake Road). Turn left from Highway 22 onto Forest Road 2067. Travel 1.2 miles and turn right on spur road 560 after crossing a bridge. Continue for 3.6 miles to the trailhead on the left. Note: This is also the trailhead for the Pyramids Trail You can also access the trail at a midpoint. From Sweet Home, take Highway 20 east and turnleft on Highway 22 at Santiam Junction. Travel north for 7.7 miles and turn left on Forest Road 2266. Continue 3.2 miles to Forest Road 2266. Continue 3.2 miles to Forest Road 2047 and turn left. Travel 7.1 miles to spur road 747 and turn right. The trailhead is at the end of the spur. |