"SALMON RIVER" Top 5 Page for this destination Portland Off The Beaten Path Tip by mtncorg

Just an hour east of Portland, a few minutes south off the busy US 26, in the front ranges of the Cascades, the Salmon River - typical of many such rivers flowing out of the Cascades - carves a deep canyon through pristine wilderness. The ruggedness of the terrain kept the loggers at bay long enough to have the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness established - an area protecting much of the upper watershed of the Salmon River. You can walk along the Salmon through some of the easy accessed old growth forests in Oregon. Trees are up to 2 meters thick, towering high above. The lower trail is just off the East Salmon River Road, winding through the giant trees, past sandy beaches and crystal clear waters that invite summer swims. This path is popular for the access that fishermen gain to practise their fly fishing skills on the waters' inhabitants. The upper trail begins where the road crosses over the Salmon, 4.9 miles south of Zig Zag on US 26. There is a large parking area - you need a NW Forest Pass, seasonal or a daypass, which you can get from the ranger station in Zig Zag. From the trailhead, you begin in deep giant forests and you are quickly immersed in a more primeval world. Two miles in lies the Rolling Riffle camp, a sprawling affair of 10 campsites spread out along the river's edge. This is a very popular backpack for families - the perfect introduction for children; not too far, but yet very magical. Another 1.6 miles beyond the campsites, after some easy climbing you come out onto a viewpoint of the ruggedest part of the Salmon canyon, plus you can look up to the rim of peaks lying above on the south side. The river is noisy below, roiling oer a series of hidden waterfalls. Another backpack campsite lies another 1.6 miles ahead, hidden along the banks of Goat Creek. Adventurous hikers can go on, but that would probably mean another tip;-\