Chinidere Mountain Loop

Chinidere Mountain Loop is a 4.4-mile circuit from Wahtum Lake Trailhead, with a half-mile summit spur and a return via the Chinidere Cutoff and Eagle Creek trails. Allow about three hours for the full loop and 1,140 feet of climbing. It suits hikers who want a forested lake walk with a proper climb and a rocky viewpoint at the top.

From the trailhead, take Wahtum Horse Trail #406H down to Pacific Crest Trail #2000 and follow it along the east side of the lake. The path moves through fir and hemlock forest; farther on, younger trees and beargrass open toward a steep meadow looking into Eagle Creek Canyon. At about 1.8 miles, turn onto Chinidere Mountain Trail #445. The moderately steep half-mile spur climbs irregular switchbacks past layered, platy rock to a rocky summit. Wahtum Lake lies below, with the Gorge and as many as five glaciated Cascade volcanoes in a clear-day panorama. Shallow pits in the summit rock are easy to miss. For a photo, keep the rocky slabs in the foreground and Mount Hood above the dark ridge.

Return to the PCT junction and descend the Chinidere Cutoff #406M on loose switchbacks. Short connections on Eagle Creek Trail #440 and the PCT carry you back toward #406H and the parking area; expect a log-hop across the lake outlet. This is the steeper, less tidy half of the loop, so use care on the descent.

The shared Wahtum Lake Trailhead and campground lot has vault toilets but no potable water. A day-use payment is required; the Annual Northwest Forest Pass is accepted. The access roads are narrow, with possible rockfall. Forest roads are not plowed in winter and may be impassable. Dogs are allowed; keep them within sight and voice control, and observe leash rules in developed areas.