Mount Jefferson Wilderness


Part of the High Cascade Range


Located where the Willamette, Deschutes, and Mount Hood National Forests meet.

Features: 


Mt. Jefferson and Three-Fingered Jack

(Left to Right) Three Fingered Jack and Mt. Jefferson

Covers 111,177 acres 
190 miles of trail
40 miles are part of the P.C.T.

History and Facts:

The "Mount Jefferson Primitive Area" covered 85,000 acres and was the first primitive area in the Cascades to be reviewed under the Wilderness Act. The first proposal to designate it as a Wilderness Area came in 1963 from the Forest Service. However, The Wilderness Act was passed first in 1964 which required the Forest Service to present their proposal to Congress.  

Designated by Congress in 1968

Mt. Jefferson (10,495')



  • Second largest mountain in Oregon
  • Dormant Stratovolcano 

The Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs refer to the mountain as Seekseekqua.

Three woman from Warm Springs reservation in 1902


The Lewis and Clark Expedition named the mountain after U.S. President Thomas Jefferson.



The first ascent was accomplished by E.C Cross and Ray L. Farmer in 1888. 

The first climber to reach the summit was S.S. Mohler in 1903.

Three-Fingered Jack (7,844')


The mountain is named for its distinct shape. However, there is a legend saying it was named after the outlaw Three Fingered Jack. California Rangers killed both he and notorious bandit Joaquin Murietta in a raid of an outlaw camp in Tulare Valley of California. Jack's famed hand was amputated, and placed with the head of Murrieta in a big vat of whiskey and put on public display. 

Mount Jefferson Wilderness Environment: 

  • Over 150 lakes (popular for trout fishing)
Scout Lake

Bays Lake

Mt. Jefferson was created by two explosive eruptions interrupted by glacial erosion.  
Mantled by five glaciers:
  • Whitewater
  • Waldo
  • Milk Creek
  • Russell
  • Jefferson Park
Climber on Whitewater Glacier


Forest Fauna & Wildlife:


Common vegitation includes Douglas-fir, silver fir, sub-alpine fir, mountain hemlock, lodgepole pine, ponderosa pine and several species of cedar. Vine maple, huckleberry and rhododendron can also be found.


Pink Lady Slipper Orchid

 Wildlife found in Mount Jefferson Wilderness include deer, black bear, coyotes, and bald eagles. Marion Lake is also a breeding ground for the rough-skinned newt. 

Fire History: 

7 years of regrowth after a fire in 2006
The B&B Fire in 2003 was the largest fire in the area since 1934. The trees are highly susceptible to insects and disease which creates prime conditions for wildfires.

Land Use and Controversy: 

Mount Jefferson Wilderness is used for timber production of Pacific silver fir, sub-alpine fir, mountain hemlock, and other upper-slope trees. Controversy typically revolved around timber boundaries.

There is no history of mining or mineral lease activities within the wilderness area because there is very low mineral potential. 

Recreation and Permits: 

Some trail-heads require recreation passes and there is a Limited Entry Permit for Pamelia Lake.
Mt. Jefferson over Pine Ridge Lake at Camp Pioneer
Links and Sources:


Photographs were found within the links above or captured by personal friends. 

Thank you, Caitlyn O'Mealy, Mark Lee, and Andrew Hoskins.
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