The Salmon River Trail near Welches is the hike we tell every guest about first, because it works for almost everyone. Flat, shaded, old-growth trees the size of grain silos, a clear green river the whole way, and a trailhead five minutes from the cabin. It is really two trails sharing a name, and knowing the difference saves you a confusing morning.
Getting there
From Highway 26 in Zigzag, turn south on Salmon River Road, also signed as Forest Road 2618. The pavement follows the river upstream for about five miles. The lower trail has several small pullouts along the road; the upper trailhead is at the bridge near the end of the pavement. From Wildwood Basecamp you are on the trail in about ten minutes.
The Old Salmon River Trail: the easy one
This is the lower section, roughly 2.5 miles one way, running between the road and the river. Elevation gain is nearly nothing. The trees are the show: Douglas fir and western red cedar that were big before Oregon was a state, mossy nurse logs, and a fern understory that stays green in January. Every few hundred yards a side path drops to a gravel bar where you can sit and let the dog wade.
Because it parallels the road, you can make it any length you want. Park at the first pullout and walk until you are hungry, then turn around. Or park at one end and have someone shuttle. Kids and grandparents both do fine here. In summer the swimming holes just below the trail are cold and glorious.
Salmon River Trail #742: the longer one
From the bridge at the end of the road, the upper trail heads into the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness. The first two miles stay close to the river and are still fairly gentle, with campsites tucked into the trees and a few excellent lunch rocks. After that the trail climbs away from the water, and around 3.5 to 4 miles in you reach a series of viewpoints over the Salmon River canyon with the river hundreds of feet below. This is the payoff most people aim for: about 7 to 8 miles round trip and 900 or so feet of gain.
Beyond the canyon views the trail keeps going for many more miles toward Linney Creek. Turn around at the viewpoints unless you have planned an all-day thing.
Passes, permits, and dogs
- The upper trailhead at the bridge requires a Northwest Forest Pass or a day fee. The lower pullouts generally do not, but check the signs.
- Entering the wilderness requires a free self-issue permit at the trailhead box. Fill it out; it takes 30 seconds.
- Dogs are welcome. Leashes are required at the trailhead and strongly encouraged everywhere; the river is fast in spring and the canyon drop-offs are real. Our post on dog-friendly Mt. Hood trails covers the rest.
- No Sno-Park permit needed. This trail sits at about 1,600 feet and is usually snow-free even in winter, which is exactly why we love it in December.
When to go
Spring brings high, loud water and the greenest moss you will ever see. Summer is for swimming holes and shade when Government Camp is baking. Fall adds vine maple color along the river. Winter is quiet and often walkable when everything above 3,000 feet is buried. It is the rare Mt. Hood trail with no bad season, though after big storms check for downed trees and slick roots.
Weekends in July and August get busy at the lower pullouts by late morning. Go before 9 or after 3.
What to bring
Not much. Water, a snack, and shoes with some grip for the roots and gravel bars. Bug spray in June and July near the water. On the upper trail, a map or downloaded GPS track, because cell service disappears fast once you leave the road.
After the hike
Welches and Zigzag have a couple of solid casual restaurants and a small grocery, all within a few minutes of the trailhead. Or go back to the cabin, fire up the hot tub, and let the dog sleep off the river. If you want to fill the rest of the week, our Mt. Hood things-to-do page has the lakes, waterfalls, and snow options sorted by season.
The Salmon River Trail is not dramatic in the summit-view sense. It is dramatic in the way that standing next to an 800-year-old tree is dramatic. Go slow. Look up.