Oregon's Most Refreshing Hike Will Lead You Straight To A Beautiful Swimming Hole
By Catherine Armstrong|Published May 16, 2019
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Catherine Armstrong
Author
Writer, editor and researcher with a passion for exploring new places. Catherine loves local bookstores, independent films, and spending time with her family, including Gus the golden retriever, who is a very good boy.
We can’t say for certain how many hiking trails exist in Oregon, but it’s a safe bet to say that it could easily take you a lifetime to explore them all. Here’s a trail that can be modified to fit the skills of just about any hiker, and the payoff is a gorgeous lake and a waterfall swimming hole.
You'll find the Chimney Peak Trailhead in central Oregon. It's part of the Middle Santiam Wilderness Area that was created in 1984.
Prior to its wilderness designation and protection from the U.S. Forest Service, the area all around was heavily clear-cut. Today, a hike through this protected area includes some trees that are up to 200 feet tall, and can span six feet in diameter.
The trail takes you through the old-growth forest, and it's usually pretty quiet and peaceful here. For even more solitude, hike on a weekday morning, and you'll probably find yourself all alone, surrounded by nature's beauty.
One of the best things about this beautiful trail is that you can tailor your hike according to your skill level and time allowance. The out-and-back trail is 23.2 miles total, but you can cut it much shorter for a quick day hike.
From the shelter, you can hear the trickle of a small waterfall into a small pool that's a perfect swimming hole for a quick splash. You can turn around here and head back, for a total hiking distance of less than 1.5 miles.
Or, continue on to Donaca Lake. It's a pretty, saphire lake tucked beneath towering Douglas firs, and it's another good spot to cool off from the heat of the day. According to the Forest Service, the lake is less than three miles from the trailhead, so if you're up for about a six-mile journey, this is a good stopping point.
Feel free to continue on down the trail to your heart's content (just leave plenty of daylight to get back to the trailhead). The trail gets more difficult as it progresses. You'll encounter two river crossings that can be slippery, and a steep incline as you get to Chimney Peak.
