Features:

NEW!
 Click for PDF Topo Map of this Hike 

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.