Hike Union Peak

CRATER LAKE, Oregon

Save

View all 3 photos

All 3 photos

Save Review Directions Add Photo

Details

Distance

11 miles

Elevation Gain

1600 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Cassidy Walker

Hike along several miles of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) before scrambling up Union Peak, towering over Crater Lake National Park. This trail is not commonly used, as it lies outside of the park entrance, and so is not as well known. If you're lucky, you may catch the occasional thru-hiker making their way into the park!

The trailhead is located across Highway 62, on the opposite side of the highway from the Crater Lake National Park entrance at Mazama Village. Look for a road sign indicating parking for the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT).

Start on the PCT: Highway 140 to Highway 138 (near Cascade Crest), hiking several gentle miles with virtually no elevation gain. Eventually, a fork in the trail with a well-maintained sign points you in several directions. Going straight here would keep you on the PCT, so take a right onto the Union Peak Spur Trail, which leads to the summit.

After branching off of the PCT, this trail moves through a lodgepole pine forest with very moderate grades. The peak materializes instantly, as if from nowhere. Upon approaching Union Peak is when the workout begins! Start off stair-stepping up large rocks, and before you know it you'll be scrambling up the side of the peak. From the top of Union Peak comes panoramic views of the surrounding area. You'll be able to see some of Crater Lake's Caldera, but not the lake itself. Just don't look down!

This hike is a total of 11 miles round trip with 1600' of elevation gain, almost entirely in the last two miles.

Download the Outbound mobile app

Find adventures and camping on the go, share photos, use GPX tracks, and download maps for offline use.

Get the app

Features

Hiking

Easy Parking

Forest

Scenic

Wildflowers

Wildlife

Hike Union Peak Reviews

Have you done this adventure? Be the first to leave a review!

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

Nearby

The Rim at Crater Lake NP

Why Go? Avoid the crowds in summer and have the entire 33 mile long rim and 21 square miles of beautiful Crater Lake to yourself. Sunrises and sunsets that will take your breath away; stars and a milky way you can get lost in for days. Expect solitude and beautiful scenery, nothing less. The 360 degree views from top of Watchman Peak, Hillman Peak, Mt Scott and Garfield Peak are breathtaking. ...

Snowshoe or XC Ski to Watchman Overlook

Starting at the Rim Village parking area, this snowshoe/cross-country ski trip (whichever you choose) heads out on snow-covered West Rim Drive, bound for the saddle between Hillman Peak and The Watchman, overlooking Wizard Island. The path is not terribly steep (this is, after all, a drivable road in summer), but it can be a bit long: four miles out and four miles back along rolling terrain is ...

Watch the Sunrise at Crater Lake

Drive to the overlook at Crater Lake well before sunrise. Actually, you should probably just sleep in your car for a bit to make sure you're not late for this incredible sight. Witness the changing colors and light as the sun creeps over the east side of the lake, throwing shadows and reflections around the rim.You can hike up the ridges near the parking area for to get a different perspective ...

Explore Crater Lake

Crater is a short 20min drive up Highway 62 off of the 97. We were chasing sunset and caught the last glimmers of twilight. Just driving around the west rim is amazing. Pictures did absolutely no justice to this place, you have to see it with your own eyes...it's MASSIVE!!! Every small pull-off/parking spaces have their own trails leading off them to different view points around the rim of the ...

Bike around Crater Lake

I forgot how large Crater Lake was. Wikipedia said it was only 6 miles in diameter, multiply X 3.14 or C = πd and boom its only 18.84 miles around, that's cake, or pie. Imaging a NASCAR track with a pond in the middle.WRONG, hindsight being 20/20, dramatic landscape rarely equates to flat, cycle friendly roads. It was really around 40 miles, 5,200 ft elevation gain and about 7,900 ft elevation ...

Hike the Garfield Peak Trail

Crater Lake is one of the most visited natural wonders in the U.S. Anyone who has gone will tell you, it strikes a magic chord. Where there was once the volcanic Mount Mazama, now sits the deepest lake in the States. It's brilliant blue color and incredible depth of clarity leaves visitors from all over the world in a state of awe.The Garfield Peak Trail leads to the 2nd highest peak in the par...