Devils 1/2 Acre / Upper Twin Lake (ALL NOTES)

07/12/2026 6 ½ Mile - sih,cvg Very nice. Very few people on trail considering perfect weather on a July Sunday. Trail mostly clear; few step over/sit over logs. Steep trail up from campground is overgrown in places and roots, rocks and holes can surprise. More birds that most trails; gray jays hand fed. One sooty grouse heard, another briefly seen. Decent flowers, especially lilies along PCT portion. Intended to go to Upper Twin Lake for lunch, but late start so used okay lunch spot just before loop turns back. Remains a favorite. 07/01/2024 no notes sih, cvg 07/20/2021 Short Loop (skip Upper Twin Lake) Massive blow-down of very large trees in first quarter mile. Forest Service has started cutting downed logs but hasn't moved any off the trail. Lots of scrambling, but remainder of trail clear. (The section of the PCT in the same area has been cleared) Good walk; reasonable variety of terrain and ecosystems. Some late season flowers still going, and a lot of bear grass just past peak, and some elegant pink lilies just on down hill on the mid-portion of the return leg with bear grass. Half dozen cars in lot, a few back packers. sih, cvg June 2019 Did full walk to Upper Twin Lake. Nice walk. Not too many other parties on the trail (although Boy Scouts setting up camp at Upper Twin Lake for this Saturday night). Interestingly, not rhododendrons (ok, one) and sparse bear grass blooming here; were prolific day before at nearby Jackpot Meadow trail. View from Palmateer really nice. Overall a bit less impressive hike than last year's impression. sih, cvg, pgh June 2018 Excellent walk. Nice variety, mostly forests, with some massive old trees, small streams, and a few meadows. Shady most of the way. Ten minute walk up to Palmateer Point well worth the effort; excellent view of Mt Hood, and nice lunch spot. Surprisingly uncrowded on beautiful last Sunday in June, about ten cars at trailhead in late morning, and only saw four other couples walking over four hour hike (plus campers at the Devil's Half-Acre campground.) Grades not too taxing (although walk up from campground a bit strenuous). Given late start and wasted time when took wrong fork leaving campground, skipped the longer route to Upper Twin Lake, but will certainly do again. Start at Barlow Pass Trailhead, just off Highway 35N. Twenty minutes from Zigzag. sih, cvg