Schreiner Peak Trail #555

Dogs Leashed

Features Commonly Backpacked · Lake · Views · Wildflowers

This trail begins on the Welcome Lakes Trail #554 , just east of Mother Lode Trail #558 and Bull of the Woods Trail #550. The intersection is fairly obvious and marked with a sign on the ground (with just the trail number). The trail begins by descending steeply on some switchbacks. The thinner east-side trees and some open rocky areas allow you to see Big Slide Mountain for much of the descent. Eventually you'll reach the bottom of the saddle between Big Slide and Bull of the Woods at an intersection with Dickey Creek Trail #553. Just east of Dickey Creek Trail is a small pond which offers a view of the fire tower up above on Bull of the Woods. Continue past West Lake Way #556 trail and begin ascending Big Slide Mountain. This is a moderate, steady grade, but has limited shade and is overgrown by bushes in some spots. You'll have great views of Jefferson and Bull of the Woods as you climb. The trial levels out next to the summit of Big Slide (summiting requires an off-trail non-technical scramble). A small rock spire east of the summit offers a great spot to rest and take in the views from Helens to the Sisters and the Bull of the Woods Wilderness. The trial then descends very steeply though a bad burn area down to Lake Lenore. The total-burn of this area means the trail conditions on the descent aren't the best, and there may be a lot of downed trees. The lake is completely exposed due to the burn and a little sad.