This hike shares the same trailhead as the western approach to
Twin Lakes and the hike to Silver King Lake.

The first mile and a half are exactly the same trail, but when you climb up onto the ridge, and come to the junction to Trail #3369, bear a sharp right and follow this trail to the base of Whetstone Mountain. As you leave the trailhead parking area, the trail descends into a forest of large, probably old growth timber. Depending on the season, it can be damp through this part of the hike, but the trail soon climbs in a series of steps to higher, drier ground.

Although you will come upon a small tarn, there are few water sources to negotiate. After the tarn, the trail climbs rather steeply until it reaches the junction of Trail #3369. As mentioned, bear a sharp right onto Trail #3369 and head west along the ridge toward Whetstone Mountain.

Trail #3369 actually goes all the way to the North Fork of the Santiam River at the bottom of the canyon, but you will only want to follow it as far as the junction to the trail that takes you to the summit of Whetstone Mountain. The trail climbs steadily along the ridge and wanders through mostly dense forests of fir and hemlock. It is less than a mile from the junction to the next junction, which connects to the summit trail. Bear right and follow the steep incline through a series of switchbacks and occasional viewpoints until you reach the summit. As is common, this mountain also once had a fire lookout on top of it and the foundation is still there.

The views you are privileged to enjoy are off the charts. There is Mt. Hood to the north, and then the peaks of the Bull of the Woods Wilderness, of which Whetstone is one. Then to the east there is Olallie Butte and south of it is Mt. Jefferson. On a really clear day you can see the top of Three Fingered Jack, Mt. Washington, and the Three Sisters. Below you to the south is Battle Ax Creek and further to the southwest is Opal Creek. Both of these creeks form the North Fork of the Santiam River.

Of course you return to the trailhead the same way you got here. Enjoy!

Follow Hwy 224 southeast of Estacada approximately 25 miles until it becomes Forest Road 46 just after the Ripplebrook Ranger Station and the junction with Forest Road 57. Continue south for about another 3.7 miles to the junction with Forest Road 63. Bear right onto FR 63 and cross over the Clackamas River. The road now follows the Collawash River for approximately 3.5 miles until you come to the junction with Forest Road 70.

Turn right onto FR 70, which is the same road that takes you the Bagby Hot Springs area. Continue for approximately 6.5 miles past the Bagby Hot Springs parking area to the junction with Forest Road 7020. Turn left onto FR 7020 which will take you steeply up a rather rough road. At times you might think that you are on the wrong road. Actually, you might wonder if you are on a road... but be assured, it gets better. It is about 5.5 miles to the trailhead. Just before the trailhead you will pass the junction to Forest Road 7030, but keep straight ahead.

Click on the link below to see a map taking you to the trailhead.

Map Directions Vicinity Map To contact the Mt. Hood NF for current information: Click Here.