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Riding Central Orgegon Horse Trails

Mt. Washington Horse Camps and Trails

The Mt. Washington Wilderness Area extends from just north of the Three Sisters to just south of Santiam Pass. Several of the rides in this area are accessible from the McKenzie Highway (Hwy. 242), and the rest are located near Santiam Pass. Of historic note is that you can ride segments of the Santiam Wagon Road, a toll road that operated from the 1860s until 1914 to provide a way for homesteaders, freight haulers, and cattle drivers to travel between the Willamette Valley and Central Oregon.

Dry Creek Trail: This is a pretty trail along Dry Creek and over a ridge on the lower slopes of Mt. Washington to the Santiam Wagon Road and Hortense Lake. The trail isn’t used much, so it is narrow and overgrown. Because of some steep and rocky spots, this trail isn’t recommended for inexperienced riders or green horses. Patjens Lake Loop Trail: This is a lovely forested loop that provides views of Big Lake, Mt. Washington, and the tiny Patjens Lakes. In late June and early July it features more blooming bear grass than any other trail in Central Oregon.
	Santiam Wagon Road East: History buffs will enjoy retracing part of the old Santiam Wagon Road as it made its way from Santiam Pass east to the Cache Creek Toll Station and on into Central Oregon. A portion of the trail runs through an area burned in the 2002 Cache Mountain fire, which opened up views of Mt. Washington.
Santiam Wagon Road West: This ride goes from Santiam Pass to near Fish Lake on the McKenzie River Highway. In addition to being historic, it showcases the dramatic change in vegetation that occurs as you travel from the east to the west side of the Cascades. You’ll enjoy vistas of Mt. Washington near the summit, and as you descend to the west the lodgepole forest transitions to old-growth Douglas-fir.
	Scott Mountain Loop Trail: This is one of the most scenic horse trails in Central Oregon. Scott Mountain’s open summit offers phenomenal views of the Three Sisters, Mt. Washington, Three-Fingered Jack, Mt. Jefferson, and Mt. Hood. The trail is relatively easy except for a couple of steep switchbacks near the top, and it passes several very pretty lakes and a recent lava flow.

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