Palmateer Point

Distance: 9.3 miles

Elevation Gain: 1500 feet.

Palmateer Point is a beautiful spot overlooking the Barrow Creek Valley and offering stunning views of the south face of Mt Hood and Barlow Butte. The reach this point, you get to visit both Twin Lakes, which make for a worthwhile destination on their own. The hike has covers some definitive milage, but doesn’t have a ton of elevation gain, making for a relaxing jaunt through the woods.

The trail leaves from the Frog Lake Sno-Park, just off of Highway 26. The trail starts on the northern end of the parking area and heads just a hundred feet or so before intersecting with the Pacific Crest Trail. Make a right and begin your trudge up towards the lakes.

The PCT slowly climbs up the ridge. The forest is a nice mixture of old growth Douglas fir and Mountain Hemlock, giving you a nice, shady path. Early in the summer, watch for rhododendrons and bear grass to be blooming (although you may have to deal with some snow).

After 1.6 miles and about 500 feet of climbing, you will reach the junction with the Twin Lakes Trail. Leave the PCT here and head to the right and begin you approach to the lakes. As you start to traverse down the hillside, you may head screaming and splashing down below. If you squint through the trees, you may even be able to spot the sparkling blue waters of Lower Twin Lake.

At just over 2 miles, you will reach a junction with the trail that heads down to Lower Twin Lake. It’s just a quick little jaunt down to the lake and its amazingly blue water. If you have some extra gas in the tank, there is a mile long trail that circles around the lake, but there aren’t any views of Mt Hood from here. If you are a little warm from the exertion of the hike, take a quick dip in this rocky bottomed beauty.

Once you have had your fill, head back up the trail to the Twin Lakes Trail and head right. It’s about a ¾ of a mile hike and another 200 feet of climbing, but you will find yourself at scenic Upper Twin Lake. Upper Twin is a little marshier than the lower lake, with a muddy bottom which doesn’t make for the best swimming. But, from the south side of the lake, you can see the glacier carved summit of Mt Hood peaking over the ridge.

Follow the trail to the right around the lake and look for the fork at the junction with the Palmateer trail. Vere to the right and climb up the ridge and quickly find yourself on the edge of Barlow Creek Valley. The trail is a little more rugged and hot quite as well defined here, and the canyon falls away to the left pretty steeply, so watch your step.

Follow the trail along the canyon rim for the next 1.3 miles, passing a trail that would take you back to Upper Twin Lake or to the PCT, and crossing over Palmateer Creek on a makeshift bridge of branches. Watch for some cool rock formations jutting out over the canyon, as some of them will offer you a cool view.

After crossing Palmateer Creek, you will quickly reach the Palmateer Point Trail. Make the right and begin the climb up to the overlook. It’s about half a mile and a 300 foot climb up to the point, which is an open, rocky scab with some blooms of wildflowers. The view to Mt Hood isn’t as dramatic as some other hikes around the mountain but still makes for some jaw dropping scenery.

Once your done here, head back down the trail and rejoin the Palmateer Trail. Head to the right to continue the loop and pass through a forest of lodgepole pines and huckleberries. If you time your hike right (late summer), the huckleberries will be ripe for picking, making for a nice snack along the trail. You will pass another trail junction after half a mile (the Devil’s Half Acre Trail), but keep heading straight and in a quarter more mile, you will reach the PCT.

Once at the PCT, head left and mosey down the gently rising and falling trail as it cuts through a deep forest for the next couple of miles. You will pass the upper end of the Twin Lakes trail after half a mile, but keep on heading down the PCT. Once you reach the lower junction of the Twin Lakes trail, veer right to stay on the PCT and its just a quick 1.6 downhill miles back to the trailhead.

Directions

To reach the Twin Lakes trailhead, head out on Highway 26 towards Mt Hood. The trailhead is located at Frog Lake Sno-Park, 4.2 miles south the of the Highway 35 interchange or 41 miles north of Warm Springs. The Sno-Park will be on the east side of the road.

Things to Know

Passes:A Northwest Forest Pass is required at this trailhead.

Dogs: Allowed and must be on leash or under voice congrol at all times.

Usage: Heavy to the Twin Lakes - Light to Moderate after.

Flowers: Some flowers, rhododendrons and bear grass can be found in June and early July.

Open Season: The trail is open year round and is a good snowshoe trail in the winter. For hiking, the trail should be snow free by late June to early July.