Echo Mountain

Overview

I haven’t been able to find any beta regarding the origin of the mountain’s name so I’ll take a stab. Echo basin, northeast and about 1200’ below the summit, is shaped like an amphitheater. I’m sure if you were to stand on the steep slopes of Echo Mountain, and yell real loud, you’d hear an echo…

Echo Mountain is located between two other peaks, South Peak and North Peak. I’ll consider these two peaks as part of Echo Mountain. There is a summit register at the summit of North Peak, a tree covered hill with a pile of rock at the top, and at the true summit of Echo Mountain. Both registers date back to 1997.

The views from the summit are as far as you can see x 360 deg. Cone Peak and Iron Mountain are a hop skip & a jump away as well as Crescent Mountain.

The last .6 of a mile of road before parking your car is a freshly cleared road. It looks as though they might be planning some logging...Not sure

Getting There

Starting from Salem, take Hwy 22 East to Santiam Junction. Take Hwy 20/126 west to where Hwy 20 & 126 split. Continue west on Hwy 20 for about 3.8 miles. Turn right onto Toad Creek road. Drive for about 1.1 miles, and then take a left onto road #172 (I think…the sight was blown in half by a hunter that might of thought the sign looked like an elk.) Continue on this road in an easterly direction for about .9 of a mile nearing the ridge top. Take a left on the road that heads back towards the west for about .6 of a mile. You’ll see an old jeep trail heading to the left. Park there! Your coordinates should be…44.42405N X 122.05901W

Red Tape

No fees. No parking lots. No permits. No registration boxes… You’re on your own.

When To Climb

The easiest time to summit this mountain is before the snow begins to fall. Between May and November.

Camping

There are a few good level, scenic clearings on the ridge to the summit that would make for an awsome place to awake, but unless you truly follow the "leave no trace" rule...DON'T camp.

Lost Prairie (Pay) campground is off Hwy 20 across from Toad Cr. road

Mountain Conditions

Sweet Home Ranger District 541-367-5506

Miscellaneous Info

My cell phone had great reception at the summit

Images

View Echo Mountain Image Gallery - 12 Images