Near Plaza Lake Trail #788
While the drive to the trailhead is long and the hike is short, the fall colors at Plaza Lake can be beautiful. Photo by Cameron Brown.
Near Plaza Lake Trail #788
A short, half-mile hike in leads you to the shoreline of Plaza Lake. Photo by Cameron Brown.
Near Plaza Lake Trail #788
The Plaza Lake Trailhead off Abbot Road (Forest Road 4610) is easy to spot. Photo by Cameron Brown.

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Driving Directions
Hike Trail

Plaza Lake Trail #788

3.0 (1 Rating)
If you are looking for remote solitude, Plaza Lake is a great short hike into the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness.
0.7
mi
Distance
35
ft
Gain
strenuous
Difficulty
LakeWildflowers
Access Issues
This area is closed from snow until late May to mid-June.

Route Details

Flatter
Steeper
0.68mi
Distance
35ft
Elevation Gain
578ft
Elevation Loss
30%
Max Grade
4,244ft
High Point
3,680ft
Low Point
Path Type
Point to Point
Description
Plaza Lake Trail #788 accesses the southern side of the Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness Area. It is a long drive to the trailhead and a short, steep hike down to a mountain lake. From the trailhead, the trail descends over 500 feet in 1/2 mile on a series of 17 switchbacks to Plaza Lake. There is one campsite at the lake near the trail's end. Hikers can access the trail by heading east from Estacada 6.6 miles and turning left on Forest Road 4610 aka North Fork Road (across from Promontory Park). Take another immediate left onto Forest Road 4610 and travel 7.1 miles and stay left on Forest Road 4610 at the fork. Travel another 0.9 miles and then turn right to stay on Forest Road 4610 also known at this point as Abbot Road. Stay on this road for another 11.1 miles to the small trailhead turnout on the north (left) side of the road.

Route Conditions

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Contributors
Kathleen Walker