Vulcan Lake / Johnson Butte Trailhead

April 2021: There is currently a landslide that is blocking Forest Road 1909 at the lower reaches, and it is expected that the slide will take some time to clear out. Please use the following detour to reach Vulcan Lake.

DETOUR DIRECTIONS (SPRING 2021 Update): From Brookings, Oregon, at Highway 101 take County Road 784 (North Bank Chetco River Road), which eventually becomes Forest Road 1376. Continue on Forest Road 1376 crossing the bridge over the South Fork of the Chetco and turning left to continue on Forest Road 1376 for another ¾ of a mile to a right-hand turn onto Forest Road 1917 (unsigned!).  Continue on 1917 for 12 miles then making a left-hand turn onto Forest Road 1909.  Continue 5.5 miles on Forest Road 1909 to the Chetco Divide/Vulcan Peak Trailhead and an additional 2 miles further to the Wilderness Boundary and the Vulcan Lake/ Johnson Butte Trailhead.

Know Before You Go: The last three miles of this route is rutted and poorly maintained.  Moderate clearance vehicles can make the journey but low clearance vehicles will have significant issues.  The last mile to the Wilderness Boundary is particularly rocky and narrow with minimal pullouts.

Note: Snow is often blocking the road just short of the Chetco Divide/Vulcan Peak Trailhead into late spring.

When the slide is cleared, resume using this route: From Brookings, Oregon, at Highway 101 take County Road 784 (North Bank Chetco River Road), which eventually becomes Forest Road 1376. Continue on Forest Road 1376 until it crosses the bridge at the South Fork Chetco River. Turn right on to Forest Road 1909 for several miles all the way to the roads end at the trailhead.

The last few miles to the trailhead are on a rougher narrow dirt road with occasional rocks. Two wheeled vehicles are acceptable but drive slowly.