Sweat Creek Basin Trail

Sweat Creek Basin Trail 310-A is accessible just off the pavement of Highway 20 at the Sweat Creek Picnic Area. The site of a former campground, most of the amenities have since been removed, although a CXT toilet remains.

Begin the hike by proceeding past the CXT toilet. There is no signage to indicate the trail from the parking lot, but the trail is easily visible proceeding behind the bathrooms. After a short distance the trail passes through a hiker turnstile adjacent to a cattle fence. If choosing to use the fence gate instead of the turnstile (a tight fit for big backpacks!) be sure to close the gate after passing through, as this area does have an active grazing allotment in the summer.

Immediately after crossing the fence the trail reaches a junction with Clackamas Mountain Trail crossing Sweat Creek and heading west. Instead turn east to continue on the Sweat Creek Basin Trail. The trail climbs quickly and steadily, passing beneath the powerlines in the early portion of the hike. The views get better and better along the way as the trail meanders beneath large old growth Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and western larch. This trail is spectacular in the spring as the wildflowers begin to bloom, and also in the fall as the western larch turn yellow and drop their needles.

At approximately the 4.5 mile mark the trail comes to Hunter Spring, the first access to water. There is both a cistern and a cattle trough, along with a large campsite at this location. Exercise caution if choosing to camp here, as there are many standing dead Douglas fir trees in the immediate vicinity of the campsite.

From Hunter Spring there is an unmarked trail junction leading to Maple Mountain to the east, but the main Sweat Creek Basin Trail continues to ascend northwest out of the camp area. In approximately 1.5 miles the trail reaches Pass Spring, with another campsite at this location. At approximately the 6.5 mile mark Sweat Creek Basin intersects Clackamas Mountain Trail to the west, and West Fork Trail continuing north.

Sweat Creek Basin is also a portion of the Pacific Northwest Trail, which continues along West Fork Trail.