Cool Creek Trail to Devil's Peak

This trail will surprise you!! Low traffic, and is snow free pretty early in the year. The distance in the description is definitely wrong, it's not like 7.5 miles.

First off, some corrections to the description of this hike. It's at least 7 miles if you go to the end of the trail (that tees off at Hunchback) and closer to 7.5 if you go all the way up to the lookout atop Devil's Peak. So about a mile more than what's listed on the description here. The elevation is accurate enough. So that should tell you how strenuous it is. 3200' vert in 3.5 miles means plenty of ups, so it's a good workout. Since this connects to Hunchback, you can get to a whole system of trails here including down to Kinzel Lake and Salmon River.

This trail is very lightly used. The grading isn't great, but it's nice and soft since it doesn't see a ton of feet. Lots of roots and blowdowns, and plenty of steep little sections. If you have any knee issues, bring trekking poles to ease the burden when coming downhill. Nothing dangerous or extreme, just enough that you have to watch where you're stepping.

The setting is a very nice forested (second-growth) setting most of the way up, with some nice peek-a-boo views of Hood on the way. There's a huge grove of rhodies about 2/3 the way up that are about to explode (maybe 2 weeks out - I hiked Memorial Day, 2018). And tons of huckleberries. You cross one vernal trickle and otherwise this trail is nowhere near the actual creek, so don't count on any water sources as you sweat your way up. Near the top there's a little ridge to your left, with a worn side spur trail about 30' up to it. Go up there. On a clear day you can see 4 volcanoes (St Helens, Rainier, Adams and of course Hood). It's actually the best viewpoint of the whole hike.

When you get to Hunchback, if you want to go up to Devil's Point, hang a right and go about maybe .1 mile until you see a sign pointing the way up the spur to the top. The old lookout tower is cool and you get a view of forested hills, but the tree growth blocks any real view north/east to hood and the other volcanoes. Still a nice place to sit on the tower or rocks and have lunch.

This is a totally enjoyable hike. My GPS clocked an even 7.5 miles and 3,228 vert.

Overall not a very vigorous hike. Easier than defiance. Go on a clear day. Views would be amazing. Stay at the fire-lookout if you want. Can hear mice and coons at night. Again, clear day would make it worth it. Snow at about 4700 ft. Wear microspikes. Trail hard to find with the snow.

Driving it was was nervous of the road tbh lol but once starting the trail i knew it was going to be an uphill hike the entire time, BUT SO WORTH IT! The views of mt hood was amazing once you got up high enough! Beware it is really uphill and the trails aren't very maintained.

Beautiful hike to Devil's Peak ...steady climb, heck of a workout

gorgeous hike. steep but great workout if you are in shape.

This trail is easy to get to and few people were there. Most of the trail is soft with few rocks. It is however a steady incline going up about 3,000 feet in 3 1/2 miles. Most of the trail is under a canopy until you get close to the top where you will see a couple clear spots at Devils Peak. This is where the views would be. It was cloudy so I missed that. Four stars would be a better rating if it has views. The trail does stop when it intersects with the Hunchback Mountain trail #793. All in all it was a good hike but nothing spectacular. If I do it again I would make time to include Kinzel lake in the trip. It is about 2 miles down the Hunchback trail.