Jefferson Park

Area	Oregon Cascades - Central (Mount Jefferson Wilderness)
Best time to visit	Late July through early August
Blooming Now	No
Elevation	5800-5900 feet
Trail Info	11.6 miles round-trip, 1800 feet elevation gain (to Russell Lake via the Whitewater Trail)
	WILDFLOWER SEARCH
	ADDITIONAL PHOTOS
	Hike information - Oregon Hikers Field Guide
Dogs	Allowed, but must be kept on leash AT ALL TIMES.
	*Northwest Forest Pass required!*

NOTE: The blue marker indicates the trailhead.

Description

Jefferson Park is your author's favorite hike in the state of Oregon. The meadows are awash in wildflowers between late July and late August, the five lakes are gorgeous, and Mount Jefferson is RIGHT THERE! However, it is a long day hike. You may want to consider making this an overnight backpack. It can be busy on summer weekends, so either arrive early to secure a campsite (camping is only approved at designated sites) or plan to visit on a weekday.

Directions

Take Highway 22 east from Salem (or west from the Santiam Pass). Between mileposts 60 and 61, turn east onto "good" gravel Whitewater Road (Road 2243). Continue 7.4 miles until the road ends at the Whitewater trailhead parking area. Do not leave anything valuable in your car.

Trip Reports

Date	Submitted by
Reports from previous years
07/22/2015	Jim Sellers

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Photo Gallery

Jefferson Park at Russell Lake

Mount Jefferson reflected in a tarn at Jefferson Park

A wildflower meadow at Jefferson Park

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'With the coming of spring, I am calm again.' -- Gustav Mahler