Burnt Lake + East Zigzag Mountain

Date hiked: 6/3/20

My first proper hike of 2020 was a home run. Despite staying active through quarantine, I knew that my hiking legs were out of shape. Wednesday's promising forecast was the perfect opportunity to break out my trekking poles and hit the trail.

The North Burnt Lake Trailhead is located in Rhododendron--50 miles (1.5 hours) east of Portland. The trailhead is accessible early in the season, but the bowl surrounding Burnt Lake holds snow until much later, which can complicate route finding. The moderate 9.4-mile out-and-back (2,300' gain) to East Zigzag Mountain is an excellent hike for forest wildflowers in June and July.

The Burnt Lake Trail begins wide and gentle in a lush forest that was burned over in the late 19th century. Fallen trees and large scorched stumps are all that remain of the old-growth forest.

 

After crossing several small creeks and waterfalls, the trail becomes a long gradual ascent to Burnt Lake. Named after a 1904 forest fire, Burnt Lake is a picturesque mountain lake on the flanks of Zigzag Ridge, which connects to the southwest side of Mt. Hood. A theoretical route around the lake exists but requires bushwhacking in places.

 

Continuing on the Burnt Lake Trail, the path drops to cross Burnt Lake Creek before traversing up a couple of switchbacks. About four miles from the trailhead, a junction with the Zigzag Mountain Trail rises steeply to a stellar viewpoint of Burnt Lake and Mt. Hood.

The trail then levels off and opens up to reveal more Cascade volcanoes, including Mts. Adams, Rainier, St. Helens and Jefferson. The rocky summit of East Zigzag Mountain caps out at 4,971'. 11:30am-4pm RT.

Thanks for the recommendation Aunt Judy!