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Ascend to the summit of Union Peak for great views... just not of Crater Lake.


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Map Key

2.5

Miles

3.9

KM

Point to Point

7,645' 2,330 m

High

6,518' 1,987 m

Low

1,147' 350 m

Up

20' 6 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

60%

Max Grade (31°)

Dogs Unknown

Features Birding · Views · Wildlife

You can expect the trail to be snow-covered from October to early July, however, conditions vary somewhat from year to year. See Crater Lake Current Conditions for more information.

Description

This trail spurs off of the Pacific Crest Trail, about 2.5 miles south of Crater Lake HWY (62). See the Union Peak featured hike for details about accessing this trail from the north via the PCT. You can also access it via the Pumice Flat Trail and a different portion of the PCT: Highway 140 to Highway 138 (near Cascade Crest).

After branching off of the PCT, this trail moves through a lodgepole pine forest with very moderate grades. At around the two-mile mark, the trail becomes much steeper as it winds through open and rocky switchbacks to the summit of Union Peak. There are magnificent panoramic views from the top, but be warned, you won't see Crater Lake from here.

Union Peak is the core of an old volcano eroded by glaciers during the last Ice Age. It is the most conspicuous feature in the southwestern portion of the park, its summit being 7,698 feet above sea level and over 1000 feet above the general level of the adjacent area. The upper 800 feet of the peak stands as a rock spire above a ridge-like base which is the drainage divide between Union Creek to the north and Red Blanket Creek to the south, both streams being tributaries of the Rogue River.

Flora & Fauna

Lodgepole pine forest gives way to a rugged and rocky alpine summit.

Contacts

Shared By:

Brian Smith

Trail Ratings

  3.5 from 2 votes

#25397

Overall
  3.5 from 2 votes
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Trail Rankings

#806

in Oregon

#25,397

Overall
3 Views Last Month
483 Since Feb 16, 2016
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Photos

Union Peak as seen from the fork between the PCT and Union Peak trail.
Jan 19, 2016 near Crater…, OR
View from atop Union Peak!
Jan 18, 2016 near Crater…, OR
Looking northeast from near the top of Union Peak. 23 July 2020. Mount Bailey and the Watchman are visible..
Aug 4, 2020 near Crater…, OR
Crater Lake's West Rim from the summit of Union Peak
Nov 17, 2017 near Crater…, OR
A narrow spot on the Union Peak Trail (Mt. Bailey and Diamond Peak in the distance)
Nov 17, 2017 near Crater…, OR
Mount McLoughlin from the Union Peak Trail
Nov 17, 2017 near Crater…, OR

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Weather


Current Trail Conditions

Unknown
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