Trail Overview
Moose Mountain Road, also known as FS 2027, is accessed from US Hwy 20 by turning at Moose Creek Road and crossing the bridge over the South Santiam River. This road is easy gravel, with some potholes and a few sections of larger loose rock. It is mostly single-lane with turnouts. The road passes through a mix of USFS and private timberland, showing various stages of timber harvest and regrowth along with unmanaged forest. There are opportunities for dispersed camping (especially with hammocks) in the national forest areas, but camping is not allowed on private forest land. About 5 miles from the west end there is an elevated ridge that is cleared and has good views to the west for sunset viewing. At about 9.5 miles in from the west, the FS 850 road turns off to the south offering access to the upper (north) end of the Menagerie Wilderness. The 850 road and this area of the wilderness are seasonally closed to all entry from January 15 to July 31. About a mile from the east end of the track, views open up revealing several snow-capped mountains to the east. The east end of the track is at a 6-way intersection in a saddle. From here connections can be made to a network of other gravel roads to the south or east, including access to trailheads for the Middle Santiam Wilderness to the north.
