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Riding Central Orgegon Horse Trails

Mt. Jefferson Horse Camps and Trails

The Mt. Jefferson Wilderness Area on the east side of the Cascades includes not only its namesake mountain but Three Fingered Jack as well, a smaller peak reportedly named for a three-fingered trapper who lived in the area. While the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness was badly damaged by the B&B Fire in 2003, there are some trails that were not severely burned. On other trails, the fire has opened up vistas that previously weren’t visible through the thick forest. And everywhere, riders can observe the recovery of the forest vegetation.

Sheep Spring Horse Camp: Sheep Spring is one of the nicest horse camps in Central Oregon. This lovely, low-elevation horse camp in the Metolius Basin provides access to the trails in the basin and on the eastern slopes of Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Washington. Cabot Lake Trail: The Cabot Lake trail is one of the few trails in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness that was not completely burned by the B&B fire in 2003. The terrain is fairly rugged and the trail is rocky, but the scenery is beautiful.
	Canyon Creek/Metolius Loop Trail: This is a fun, easy loop ride through ponderosa forest and along the banks of Canyon Creek and the Metolius River. There is a nice picnic spot (it even has a picnic table) beside the Metolius. Jake Lake Loop Trail: Some of this trail was burned in the B&B fire, but fortunately the lovely Canyon Creek Meadows were untouched. Jack Lake Loop is a short ride through both burned areas and dense forest, to the flower-filled Canyon Creek Meadows and then along Canyon Creek. The western end of the loop offers excellent views of Three-Fingered Jack, and a short extension takes you nearly to the base of the mountain.
Old Summit Trail: The Old Summit Trail used to be a beautifully forested ride over the shoulder of Three Fingered Jack, but the B&B Fire in 2003 changed all that. On the entire 7.5 mile trail, you won’t see more than a couple hundred living trees. However, the vegetation is beginning to recover, and the trail now offers views of Mt. Washington, two of the Three Sisters, Broken Top, Black Crater, Black Butte, and Three Fingered Jack.
	Round Lake Trail: The Round Lake Trail follows the Old Summit Trail to Square Lake, then branches off to Round Lake. The entire ride is within the area that was heavily burned by the B&B Fire, so the trail now offers mountain views that were previously obscured by the forest. Sheep Spring/Metolius Trail: This portion of the Metolius-Windigo Trail explores the forest, streams, and meadows of the beautiful Metolius Basin.

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