Westview Shelter to Eagle Rock Overlook
Hike details:
Mileage: 3.3 mile loop w/ 260 ft. elevation gain
Approximate hike time: 1 hour 50 minutes w/ an average pace of 1.8 mph
Difficulty: Easy
Trail usage: High on weekends, low to medium on weekdays
Highest elevation: 5,220 ft. Lowest elevation: 4,882 ft.
General location: 25 miles east of Oakridge - Willamette National Forest
Accessible: Year-round
(The sno-park trails are accessible for winter recreation as soon as about 2 feet of snow have accumulated, usually by mid-December. This one generally melts out enough to not be able to snowshoe anymore, some time around mid to late May).
Permits required: Sno-park pass is required from November 1 - April 30
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs on leash, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, camping
Possible dangers: N/A
Approximate hike time: 1 hour 50 minutes w/ an average pace of 1.8 mph
Difficulty: Easy
Trail usage: High on weekends, low to medium on weekdays
Highest elevation: 5,220 ft. Lowest elevation: 4,882 ft.
General location: 25 miles east of Oakridge - Willamette National Forest
Accessible: Year-round
(The sno-park trails are accessible for winter recreation as soon as about 2 feet of snow have accumulated, usually by mid-December. This one generally melts out enough to not be able to snowshoe anymore, some time around mid to late May).
Permits required: Sno-park pass is required from November 1 - April 30
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs on leash, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, camping
Possible dangers: N/A
(map of the entire Gold Lake Sno Park - click to enlarge)
Description:
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Gold Lake Sno-Park is the largest sno-park near the Eugene/Springfield area and it offers multiple shelters, a warming hut and beautiful viewpoints of Odell Lake and Diamond Peak.
Gold Lake Sno-Park has a large parking lot, a pit toilet and a cozy warming hut. There are a lot of very short loop trails one can take, but the most scenic loop is taking the Westview Trail to see the Westview Shelter and then over to Eagle Rock overlook. 
(Gold Lake Sno-Park parking lot & pit toilet)
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(Gold Lake Sno-Park warming hut)
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Start the trail on the southern end of the parking lot and head down Pengra Pass Road for 0.45 miles to a trail split. Take the Westview Trail to the left. From here the trails get a bit confusing because there are so many different intersections, but they are mostly all marked with signs. After another 0.25 miles you'll come to a 3-way trail split, take a left here to see the Westview Shelter. This is a 3-sided wooden shelter that has a picnic table, fire wood, wood stove and a sleeping loft. The Westview Shelter was constructed by the US Forest Service in 1986.
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(Westview Shelter)
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After checking out the Westview Shelter, head back to the intersection and go left on the Westview Loop East and stay on this trail for 0.65 miles, ignoring all other intersections (there are 2) until you get to the Pacific Crest Trail.
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Make sure you keep an eye out for the blue diamonds on the trees, especially when the snowshoe season is nearing its end and the snow makes it hard to see a broken trail because it has been melting and refreezing so much (see above picture as an example). The forest here is semi-dense and the tall trees are beautifully draped in old man's beard lichen.
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(Eagle Rock overlook)
When you come to the Pacific Crest Trail, take a right and you will see the Eagle Rock overlook. This is a gorgeous rocky viewpoint surrounded by manzanita bushes, where you can look over all of Odell Lake and you can see Lakeview Mountain and Diamond Peak. This is a wonderful place to catch some afternoon sunshine and marvel at the expansive views.
(Lakeview Mountain and Odell Lake)
(Diamond Peak)
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From the overlook, take the PCT south for about 0.4 miles, then turn right back onto the Westview Trail. Stay on this trail for just 0.11 miles before turning left onto Westview Loop West. Stay on this trail until you come back to the first 3-way junction you came to near Westview Shelter, then continue to the right on Pengra Pass Road back to the car.
This 3.3 mile loop is very easy and perfect for first time snowshoers or folks wanting to experience their first snow camping trip in the shelter that is not too far from the car. Even though the network of trails can be a bit confusing, print out the Forest Service map or pick one up at the warming shelter at the parking lot and have fun. Enjoy the Eagle Rock lookout on a clear day and before you head home, drive down to Shelter Cove Resort or Odell Lake Lodge and enjoy post-trail brew and the sunset by the fire next to beautiful Odell Lake.
(view of Willamette Pass ski area at sunset from Shelter Cove Resort)
Directions:
From Eugene
- Drive OR-58 east about 35.4 miles to the town of Oakridge. Here you can stop to grab a snack, gas or a coffee as well as take a restroom break at the rest area. Then continue on OR-58 east 25.5 miles where you will see a sign for Gold Lake Sno Park and turn into the parking area on your right. (Total of 69 miles)
- Take US-97 south for about 47 miles, then turn right onto Crescent Rd/Crescent Cutoff Rd for 12 miles until the road T’s into highway 58. Turn right onto OR-58 and drive west for 11.4 miles, right after Willamette Pass Ski Area, you will see a sign for Gold Lake Sno Park and turn into the parking area on your left. (Total of 71 miles)
- Drive I-5 south about 65 miles down to Eugene. Just south of town, merge onto OR-58 east and continue 35.4 miles to the town of Oakridge. Here you can stop to grab a snack, gas or a coffee as well as take a restroom break at the rest area. Then continue on OR-58 east 25.5 miles where you will see a sign for Gold Lake Sno Park and turn into the parking area on your right. (Total of 130 miles)
- Take OR-62 east towards Crater Lake for 49.5 miles then take a slight left onto OR-230 north for 23.8 miles. Near Diamond Lake turn right onto OR-138 east for 17.7 miles until it T’s into highway 97. Turn left onto US-97 north for 17.8 miles and then use the left lane to take the exit onto OR-58 west. Stay on OR-58 for 24.6 miles, right after Willamette Pass Ski Area, you will see a sign for Gold Lake Sno Park and turn into the parking area on your left. (Total of 141 miles)
- Drive I-5 south about 111 miles down to Eugene. Just south of town, merge onto OR-58 east and continue 35.4 miles to the town of Oakridge. Here you can stop to grab a snack, gas or a coffee as well as take a restroom break at the rest area. Then continue on OR-58 east 25.5 miles where you will see a sign for Gold Lake Sno Park and turn into the parking area on your right. (Total of 173 miles)
*All pictures are taken by Franziska Weinheimer
*Disclaimer: The trail descriptions, mileage, GPS tracks and difficulty ratings depicted on this website are never 100% accurate. Always hike at your own risk, using your own knowledge, equipment and common sense. Franziska Weinheimer/Hike Oregon are not responsible if you or anyone in your party gets injured or lost while attempting one of these or any other hikes.