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Pamelia Lake Area Hikes
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THE FOLLOWING MAP IS NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATIONAL PURPOSES.

Length: 4.6 miles round trip to lake and back
Elevation Change: 800' elevation gain
Season: Late spring thru Fall
Difficulty:   Moderate to lake

Length: 11 miles round trip to Hunts Cove
Elevation Change: 2000' elevation gain
Season: Summer thru Fall
Difficulty:   Challenging

Permit:
Special Pass Required - Online Reservation

Features: This is one of the most popular hiking destinations in the Mt Jefferson Wilderness area. After one visit, you'll see why. This place is just plain fantastic!

Keep in mind you must obtain a special use permit to hike/camp in the Pamelia Lake / Hunts Cove area of the Mt Jefferson Wilderness. Pamelia Lake or Hunts Cove Limited Entry Permits in the Detroit Ranger District of the Willamette National Forest must be obtained on line at www.recreation.gov or by calling the Reservation Line at 1-877-444-6777. If a person wants to get the permit on the day of the hike, they can call it in and stop by the Detroit Ranger Station and they will print their permit for them.

Cost: $6.00
Summer hours: 7 days a week 8-4:30 Memorial Day
thru Columbus Day
Regular hours: Monday-Friday 8-4:30


The trail to Pamelia Lake begins fairly gently as it follows Pamelia Creek most of the way to the lake. From time to time you will have excellent opportunities to enjoy the creek and it's beautiful cascades.

At about 2.3 miles you will come to the shore of Pamelia Lake. Your first sight of this gorgeous lake can be overwhelming, depending on the weather and season.

The main trail parallels the lake on the east side a bit distant from the shore, so you might want to take the user trail that follows very closely to the shore for better views.

At the far end of the lake the trail continues upstream until a convient crossing of logs, rocks, or just plain wading. Use caution.

The trail up to Hunt's Cove becomes much steeper than the hike so far, so be sure to have plenty of water and be prepared for a long steep climb. As you near the top of the basin, there is a great little falls off to the side of the main trail that is worth a peek. You just follow a users trail a few feet off the main trail to see the falls.

Soon you will come to to a junction of a trail that will take you to the ridge above Hunt's Cove. I recommend that you go the lake(s) first, then consider the climb to the ridge above for unparalleled views of Mt Jefferson and Hunts's Cove below.

Looking toward Hunts Cove from Pamelia Lake
Looking toward Hunts Cove from Pamelia Lake
How to get there:

From Detroit Ranger Station travel East on Hwy 22 approximately 14 miles past Detroit to Pamelia Creek road. Turn left onto Pamelia Creek road, travel about 5 miles to end of road. Trailhead parking is on the left.

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A Virtual Hike of the Mount Jefferson Wilderness Area


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