ZigZag Canyon

Total Miles
6.9

Elevation

1,500.91 ft

Duration

1 Hours

Technical Rating

Moderate

Best Time

Summer, Fall

Trail Overview

ZigZag Canyon at Osbourne Mountain is a moderate trail that, while not technically difficult, is not for the faint of suspension or bald tires. Starting off smoothly on well-graded forest roads, climb FSR #8410 to the Teeley Creek Trailhead, catching peekaboo views of Mt. Rainier rising in the distance, then continue straight on. Bearing left at the next fork, the trail climbs steeply up a rocky incline, 2WD beware. Beyond this point, the trail grows narrow, hugging tightly along the slopes of Osbourne Mountain, and zigzags its way upwards. Watch out for rockfalls and loose boulders blocking the edges of the road, creating chokepoints. This portion of the trail offers scenic views of changing Fall colors, and the occasional rocky spire jutting into the sky. Close to the top, steeper climbs rise before you, and fallen logs narrow the path further before the trail finally terminates at a group campsite with views of Mt. Rainier and the Central Cascades.

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Difficulty

Steep, rocky climbs will challenge your traction, while large loose rocks in the trail will bar low clearance vehicles from proceeding to the top.

Technical Rating

Status Reports

Joe L

Sep 14, 2024

4x4

Open

Normal

Rough/Deteriorated

Narrow, overgrown trails, a little rocky and steep in certain areas, but overall not too bad. This was my first trail and I did just fine, a little bit of mud and some small obstacles.

Curtis Tompkins

Aug 03, 2024

4x4

Open

Trail was free of obstructions. Narrow at points a full size truck or LT truck would not pass. Easy otherwise.

Aaron Childs

Jun 29, 2024

4x4

Obstructed

Downed Tree

So...there is a down tree and then a tree that's been cut. This tree has a section missing that you can squeeze through. Not big enough for a full size truck though. These obstructions were passable, but tight for us. We made it past the first obstruction no problem, however the next one we rubbed a tire on the way in and out. We have a 2019 Tacoma with 33" tires. This is doable if you take your time and are watching your wheel placement. There is a beautiful overlook, which we camped at approximately a 1/4 mile back from the end of the trail. Enjoy and be safe.

Isaac Fredrickson

Jun 17, 2024

4x4

Obstructed

Downed Tree

Not super far up the trail after the parking lot for the walking trail, or after the trail gets semi interesting, there is a tree blocking the road. Small enough most rock crawlers/vehicles with about 2 ish feet of clearance could make it over it, seems like some people did, but it’s there and caused me to have to turn around. Saw it at about 8:30 on June 14th.