Hike From Pull-Off 45.12475, -122.07718

A short hike along an unmarked trail to a view of a bridge and the Clackamas River.

Access: Unmarked/unnamed "trail"

Distance: 0.30 miles (round trip)

Elevation Range: 1097' to 1161'

Ascent/Descent: +50 ft/-50 ft

Route Type: In & out

Route: Unmaintained boot path that starts next to burm, proceeds along the southwest side of the Clackamas River, until it ends in a flat area near a creek. The trail is approx. 40 ft above the Clackamas River.

Outing Type: Day hike

Permits/Fees: None

Notes: This "trail" is not maintained and there are downed trees across the route. It is all within a burned area.

Location: Along Highway 224 near Bridge 45.12569, -122.07814 in Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon, U.S.A.

Administration: Mount Hood National Forest

Ranger District: Clackamas River Ranger District

Wilderness Area: The end just barely passes into Clackamas Wilderness according to Forest Service map I referenced.

Other Posts: Highway 224 & Upper Clackamas River - Part 7

Date Accessed: April 10, 2025

Pull-off/trailhead

I've driven past this pull-off too many times to count over the past few years, but never actually stopped until I was working on cataloging all the pull-offs along highway 224 between Estacada and Ripplebrook.

I hiked the little trail for the first time in March 2025 with my sister. We both thought the burnt forest and numerous fungi was really cool to see. I ended up stopping by again in April on a sunny day and hiking the trail to take some photos of the fungi and mark some coordinates.

The trail started at 45.12476, -122.07742 on the right side of the burm. I think at one point this might have been a very short spur road, but it's pretty overgrown now and just an unmaintained, unmarked & unnamed short little trail that dead ends now.

The trail was easily able to be seen the whole time and followed along a small plateau above the river. It was about 40 ft above it. There were quite a few downed trees across the trail that had to be stepped over, but that's to be expected in a burned area that doesn't receive maintenance.

Part way down the trail there started to be a lot of fungi on the fallen trees. There's a lot of it and a decent variety. It was fun to take pictures of.

Downed trees across trail

The first spur trail goes steeply down the hillside to what looks like a marshy area below, during the summer it might dry up and provide river access. I'm unsure. The second spur trail also descends down the hillside but closer to the flat open area at the end where the trail dead ends. The spur trail goes down the hillside to the rivers edge and is a bit less steep than the first one.

Partial view of waterfall

Where the trail dead ends there is a makeshift fire ring and the area is a more flat and open. It provides views of the river and the bridge. Past the trails dead end is an unnamed creek, I was able to get close to it's edge but there wasn't a "trail."

Dead end/flat area

Back at the flat area it is possible to make out part of a waterfall further up the creek, but it isn't visible from the creek below. I think it would require scrambling up the burnt hillside for a full view.

View of bridge

The hike back was easy and enjoyable. Last time I hiked this in March it was a bit more cold, but this time, at the start of April, I went out on a sunny day in the mid 50's and it was warm enough bugs were starting to come out. I think this trail is worth it for the fungi.

View downstream

Coordinates

• Pull-off: 45.12475, -122.07718

• Start of trail: 45.12476, -122.07742

• Wilderness Boundary (approx.): 45.12508, -122.07882

• Steep spur trail down hillside to marshy area: 45.12515, -122.07897

• Spur trail down to rivers edge: 45.12541, -122.07923

• Flat area where trail dead ends: 45.12543, -122.07929

• Stream (approx.): 45.12560, -122.07956

How to get there (from Estacada, OR)

Take Highway 224 E out of Estacada for 21 miles. The pull-off is on the south side of an unnamed bridge on the west side of the highway. Reference the pull-off coordinates for the pull-off's exact location.

Note: I've done this hike twice in the past month, so even though I'm only showing one of the tracks, for the mileage I list above, I took the average between the two tracks.

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