Old Salmon River Trail #742A to Big Tree
- Tina McLain
- Apr 7
- 3 min read
A section hike of the Old Salmon River Trail to a large tree in an old growth forest near Welches, Oregon in Mount Hood National Forest.
Trail Name: Old Salmon River Trail #742A
Tree Coordinates: 45.30292, -121.94051
Access: Trail
Distance: 1.34 miles (round trip)
Elevation Range: 1447' to 1536'
Ascent/Descent: +69 ft/-63 ft
Trail Type: In and out
Trails: Old Salmon River Trail #742A
Outing Type: Day hike
Winter Activity Options: Hiking, dependent on road access due to snow
Permits/Fees: The Old Salmon River Trailhead and the Salmon River Trailhead (West) both require NW Forest Passes or the equivalent for parking. Unsure about what is required in the pullouts between the two trailheads.
Notes: There are many route options for accessing the big tree, this was just the route we ended up taking.
Location: Near Welches in Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon, U.S.A.
Administration: Mount Hood National Forest
Ranger District: Zigzag Ranger District
Other Posts: Old Salmon River Trail #742A
Date Accessed: November 16, 2024
Since the Old Salmon River Trailhead was full we parked at a different pullout further down the road where there weren’t any other cars. There are lots of spur trails from the road connecting down to the Old Salmon River trail and the Salmon River. We started at 45.29999, -121.93884.
We followed a trail down to the Old Salmon River Trail and then headed north on it. There were some very pretty sections of river that the trail passed by. There were a few bridges over streams and then a section of trail that was cut into the bank. The moss was vibrant and there multiple different mushrooms and fungi out. I’m always amazed by how green the forest is around here. So many ferns, vibrant mosses, and old growth trees.
We continued down the trail until we came to my “Big Tree,” at 45.30300, -121.94050. It’s just a huge tree right along the trail before hitting some wooden stairs. It’s part of what really stuck out from the last time I hiked this trail last winter. It has all sorts of moss climbing up the entire tree as well.
After getting a picture with the tree we continued a bit further down the trail to a really beautiful spot along the river at 45.30363, -121.94185. The water was more still through this section and on the other side of the river there was a rock wall with moss growing up it. There were other people eating their lunch so we just quickly looked then started back towards our car. I didn’t take a picture since I was distracted.
On the way back we really got to just take in all the greenery around us. We did see a good amount of people on this hike, but there were sections where we were still alone. Going on a week day would mean seeing less people during the end of fall, winter, and start of spring months. This trail is inundated with people during the summer.
Resources
OregonHikers - has a map that shows some of the pullouts along the road with trails down to the river
Coordinates
Pullout: 45.29999, -121.93884
Spur trail #1: 45.29975, -121.93879
Spur trail #2: 45.29990, -121.93897
Spur trail #1 & Old Salmon River Trail intersection: 45.29932, -121.93970
Spur trail #2 & Old Salmon River Trail intersection: 45.29962, -121.93976
Pretty part of river: 45.29981, -121.93992
Big Tree: 45.30292, -121.94051
Stairs: 45.30282, -121.94074
Pretty spot along river (where we turned around): 45.30363, -121.94185
How to get there
Could also access the big tree from the Old Salmon River Trailhead or any of the spur trails between that trailhead and the pullout I started at. It would just change the distance and route.
Reference the Forest Service for general directions and current conditions
Map
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