Cast Creek Trail #773


Cast Creek trail

Trail access is affected by recreational gate closure on Dec 1st – April 1st annually.  Please see our Roads Table for current information.

 

This trail is in the Mount Hood Wilderness Area.  This trail is a steady, steep climb with numerous switchbacks going through a forested Westside Cascade mountainside.

 

The trail begins at Cast Creek, Horseshoe Ridge, Sandy River trailhead, located at Riley Horse Camp, and ends at Zigzag Mountain Trail #775. This trail is in the Mount Hood Wilderness. This trail is a steady, steep climb with numerous switchbacks going through a forested Westside Cascade mountainside. Visitors can retrace their steps to return to the trailhead.

To reach Cast Lake Trail #796, turn right (west) onto #775 and follow it for 500’ to the beginning of #796. To make an 11.8 mile loop, turn right (west) onto #775 from the end of #773 and follow it for 1.9 miles to Horseshoe Ridge Trail #774. Turn right (north) onto #774 and follow it for 4.6 miles to Forest Road 1825-380. Turn right onto Forest Road 1825-380 and follow it for 0.1 mile back to Riley Horse Camp. Although the trail is open to horse use, it is recommended that only experienced equestrians and horses use this route and that they ride it from south to north (downhill) only.

Trail Description and Map (PDF File)

At a Glance

Current Conditions: Trail maintained 2021.
Usage: Light
Restrictions:
  • Wilderness Restrictions apply in Mt Hood Wilderness.
  • Unprocessed livestock feed is prohibited.  Any feed that may serve as a seed source for non-native plants is considered unprocessed. 
  • Hitching, tethering or picketing any stock within 100' of a water source is prohibited.
Closest Towns: Welches, OR
Passes: A valid Recreation Pass is required at the Cast Creek, Horseshoe Ridge, Sandy River trailhead from May 1 to Oct 31.
Operated By: Forest Service
Information Center: Zig Zag Ranger District- Zig Zag Ranger Station

General Information

Directions:

Access via Cast Creek, Horseshoe Ridge, Sandy River trailhead at Riley Horse Camp.

From Portland, OR - follow U.S. Hwy 26 17.5 miles east of Sandy to Zigzag. At Zigzag, approximately 0.4 mile past milepost 42, turn left (north) on Lolo Pass Road (Forest Road 18). Turn left on Lolo Pass Road and travel 4 miles to Forest Road 1825. Turn right (east) onto Forest Road 1825 and travel 1.2 miles to Forest Road 1825-380. Turn Right (south) onto Forest Road 1825-380 and travel 200’ to the parking area and trailhead on the east side of the road.  


Recreation Map

Map showing recreational areas. Map Information

Activities

Day Hiking

It is a steady climb with numerous switchbacks going through a forested Westside Cascade mountainside. While it is a steady climb, there are not steeply exposed side slopes.

Backpacking

Horse Riding

See day hiking description

Recreation Areas

Recreation Activities

Location

 
  Area/Length : 
5.2 miles

  Latitude : 
45.382208

  Longitude : 
-121.859413

  Elevation : 
2080' - 4480'