SALMON RIVER TRAIL

WHERE:     From Portland  drive east on highway 26 about 16 miles past Sandy to Zig Zag.  Roughly across from the Zig Zag general store is Salmon River Road which will be on your right as you are heading east.  Follow Salmon River Road about 6 miles to a bridge where you will find parking spots on both sides.  The trailhead is on the northeast side of the river.

THE TRAIL:     You walk for about two miles through beautiful old growth forests before entering the Salmon Huckleberry Wilderness area.  There are several nice campsites off the trail during these first few miles but the trail is popular so it won't be total wilderness seclusion.  This particular section has all of the characteristics of rainforests especially during the winter and spring.  There are huge logs on the ground feeding the new trees growing upon its nutrients.  After reaching the wilderness boundary you will hike another two miles before heading up off the river toward beautiful views of the Salmon river valley and mountains beyond.  You can also make this hike a loop if you have time and are conditioned for some steep elevation climbs.  Kinzel Lake Trail #665 which is about six miles from the trailhead takes you up another 1760 feet in 2.3 miles to Hunchback Mountain where you take trail #793 north.  After hiking for awhile on the Mountain you reach  Green Canyon Trail # 793A where you will descend another 3600 feet dropping you off on Salmon River Road about one-half mile down river from the trailhead.

THE WOODS:       Old growth everywhere.  Along the riverside there are several really nice camping spots in the first three miles of the hike.  The first designated campsite is in a grove of Western Red Cedars.  The rest of the the riverside forests consist of massive Douglas Firs, Western Hemlock, Cedar, Big Leaf Maple, and Red Alder.  The hardwoods generally congregate close to the river.  You can even see large trees growing off of snags and dead or dying trees.

PIZZA:      Don't forget to stop at the Zig Zag Inn for the best pizza I have ever tasted.  It is right next to the intersection of highway 26 and Salmon River Road.