South Breitenbush and Triangle Lake Equestrian Camp, Oregon

I have to admit the main reason I wanted to camp at Triangle was to do the ride into Jefferson Park from the S. Breitenbush Trailhead which is located on the way to the camp (if coming from the south).

Mt. Jefferson and Scout Lake.

Although I have hiked into here before from the Whitewater Trailhead, I wanted to revisit and check out the whole area on horseback. There are a few different trailheads that provide access, but most are not horse trailer friendly so S. Breitenbush was the best option.

S. Breitenbush Trailhead.

This trail gradually climbs almost 3000 feet in elevation in 6 miles, and it becomes pretty rocky in the middle section. Update: This trail has since burned in a fire and sadly does not look like this anymore.

On the S. Breitenbush Trail.

Once I got close to the mountain there were a lot of pretty little meadows and creeks. Then the trail met the PCT and I was right next to Russell Lake.

Mt. Jefferson on the S. Breitenbush Trail.

I wandered around for awhile, checking out Scout Lake, Bays Lake, and Park Lake.

Scout Lake and Mt. Jefferson.

Park Butte.

After awhile I had to leave this beauty behind, head back down and continue the drive over to Triangle. The first part of the road into camp is paved, but the last four miles are gravel and it is a rough potholed road. This is the Olallie Lake Resort and there are numerous other campgrounds for people, but the horse camp is one of the first that you come to, located 3 miles from Olallie Lake. Once this resort is closed for the season, they shut the gate and you can no longer get in to any of the camps.

Triangle Lake Equestrian Camp is a large half circle with 8 spots with log corrals. The spots are quite roomy with most being large enough for bigger rigs, although they are all "back in" only.
There is a bathroom, three manure bins, a garbage can, and a very large water storage container that is for stock, no potable water. It is $15.00 per night and the camp is managed by the resort.
There is quite a bit of traffic going to and fro along the main road and people, that are always driving entirely too fast, kick up a large cloud of dust which then hangs in the air and drifts through camp for quite some time.

Triangle Lake Equestrian Camp. 

The stock water tank at Triangle Lake Equestrian Camp.

The actual Triangle Lake is just a very short stroll behind the camp, but is off limits for horses. At this time of year, it is more of a large puddle, not deep enough for swimming.

Triangle Lake and Olallie Butte.

On my second day I headed over to the PCT which is a short jaunt away, and rode south, back towards Jefferson Park again except it would be a rather long ride to do from camp, 29 miles round trip. This country has A LOT of lakes, I rode past Head Lake which is right next to Olallie Lake, and is a good one for swimming. Olallie Lake is off limits for swimming because they use it for drinking water. I then continued to Cigar Lake and Upper Lake and then about half a mile further to a meadow, and then I turned around. On my way back I visited a side trail to Top Lake. There is also a trail that climbs Olallie Butte, which I did not do. Looking it up online later, it has an interesting story, the last part of the climb ends up on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. You are not supposed to hike/ride on Indian land without permission, with the exception being the PCT. I guess the Indians have removed the original trailhead signs (there are some new handmade ones) to discourage people from hiking the butte, but obviously everyone is continuing to do so.

Head Lake is right near Olallie Lake and looks great for swimming, there is even a floating dock.

Olallie Lake from the PCT.

Cigar Lake.

On the PCT.

 Mt. Jefferson looks so close, but it isn't!

Top Lake and Olallie Butte.

It was nice to be riding in an area where I knew for a fact that the trails would be cleared, especially this particular year, with the winter having wreaked havoc on most trails, and not enough manpower to get all of them logged out. OET clears the Lodgepole Trail every year in July, and also a part of the PCT, and the Muleskinners maintain this section of the PCT as well.

Sign on the PCT.

The guard station cabin at Olallie Lake Resort. This can be rented.

On the third day I rode the PCT north, this is a very easy stretch of the trail that passes Jude Lake then runs along a ridge for awhile with occasional views of Mt. Hood, then drops down to Lemiti Creek which is currently dry, and into the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. Again I rode as long as I felt like going before heading back.
The PCT can be a busy trail but I saw no one on the way out, and only a few hikers on the way back.

Fall colors on the PCT.

Standing in Lemiti Creek, which is currently dry.

Heading north on the PCT.

Mt. Hood from the PCT.

My evenings at camp were uneventful, seeing as how I was the only person camped there.
The next morning was cloudy and I figured I would get rained on at some point, and indeed I did for a short time.
I did the Lodgepole Trail which heads south for awhile then climbs up to several lakes. I passed Lower Lake, then did a side trail over for a view of Fish Lake, then Middle Lake and then I got to the junction with the Red Lake Trail and decided rather than turn around and go back the same way, I would just follow it back to the PCT and ride that section once again. When I arrived at the resort, I took the road home this time for a change of scenery.

The Lodgepole Trail.

Looking down onto Fish Lake.

Stopped for a snack at a small pond on the Red Lake Trail.

There were still even more lakes I could have visited and a few other options for making some loops, so there is plenty of exploring to do in this area.
Driving back down in elevation, it was pouring rain, and there was a bike race going on with drenched cyclists to dodge. I love the greenery on the west side, but I'm always glad to get back home to the desert, where the rain does not dare to fall!


GPS COORDINATES TO S. BREITENBUSH TH

GPS COORDINATES TO TRIANGLE