Whitewater Trail #3429
This is one of several ways to reach Jefferson Park in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness. The trail begins to gain elevation quickly from the parking area, climbing through large Douglas-Fir, Western Hemlock forest with a few Pacific Yew and Western White Pine interspersed. At 1.5 miles the trail intersects with the Triangulation Trail (#3373), which leads to Triangulation Peak. Turn right to stay on the Whitewater Trail. At around 3 miles your climb pays off with views of Mt. Jefferson. At four miles you will reach the crossing of Whitewater Creek, which has no bridge. Depending on water levels this can be a difficult crossing. The trail joins the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) just past mile 4. Keep left at PCT, which crosses one or two small creeks and a few small meadows leading north to access Jefferson Park.
Details
- Distance: 4.2 miles (one way)
- Elevation: begins at 4000 ft. elevation and ends at 5550 ft. elevation
- Difficulty: Moderate
Specific Trail Information
Trail Number
General Information
$5/vehicle/day or a valid recreation pass. No payment accepted onsite.
Central Cascades Wilderness Permits are required between June 15 and October 15 for both day and overnight use from the Whitewater Creek trailhead. Check out Recreation.gov for more information or call 1-877-444-6777.
A valid recreation pass may be used as a form of fee payment at Whitewater Trailhead.
Water from streams should be filtered.
- No campfires are allowed in Jefferson Park
- Wilderness Regulations
- Weed Free Feed Required
Getting There
Trailhead/Starting Points
Access from Whitewater Trailhead (Fee site)
Directions
From Detroit, OR travel southeast on ​North Santiam Highway for about 10 miles then go left on Forest Road 2243 (Whitewater Road) and travel about 7.5 miles to the trailhead and parking area.
