Bigelow Lakes Loop Trail, Oregon

Bigelow Lakes Loop Trail near Oregon Caves National Monument, Highway 46, Cave Junction, Oregon Bigelow Lakes Loop Trail is located near Oregon Caves National Monument in southwest Oregon and is one of the most scenic loop trails in the local region.

The four mile drive to the trailhead involves driving on gravel roads. The last half mile of the road to the trailhead is rough and may require high clearance vehicles to pass. The road may be closed during the winter due to snow. Check at the visitor center in Cave Junction road conditions before attempting to drive to the trailhead especially in the spring.

The length of the trail is about four miles with an elevation gain of about 700 feet

Map to Bigelow Lakes Loop Trail near Oregon Caves National Monument, Highway 199, southwest Oregon.

Directions to the Bigelow Lakes Loop Trailhead
Bigelow Lakes directions to the trailhead pdf 245k
From Cave Junction, follow the Oregon Caves Highway 46 for 20 miles to where it ends in the parking lot of Oregon Caves National Monument. The Oregon Caves Highway Road Guide will tell you about the local history as you make this drive. As you enter the lower end of the main parking lot and look to the left for a one lane paved road. For longer vehicles, it may be easier to go into the parking lot and turn around to get on to this road. The pavement ends in about 300 feet and becomes a gravel surfaced road that climbs steeply for about half a mile. Follow this road for three miles to the intersection with USFS 070. TURN RIGHT (an almost 180 degree turn) and drive about half a mile to a fork in the road. TURN RIGHT to continue on USFS 070 and drive about a half mile to the end of the road and parking for the trailhead. On this final half mile of road, there are three cuts made in the road surface for water diversion and make it difficult for low clearance cars to pass. If these cuts are an obstacle for your vehicle, park near the intersection and walk on this fairly level road to the trailhead. Note: Equestrian users can find parking for their vehicles and trailers at this same intersection. There is no room for turning a vehicle and trailer at the trailhead parking area.

Trail Description
Bigelow Lakes Loop Trail near Oregon Caves National Monument, Cave Junction, Oregon From the parking area (yellow box), the trail follows an abandoned road before beginning to climb toward Mt. Elijah, a rocky ridge above the Bigelow Lakes. The trail is well marked and evenly graded through a forest of western hemlock and fir trees with sections that go through meadows overlooking the basin. At the saddle two other trails go off to the left. One is a shortcut to the Boundary Trail in the direction of Grayback Peak and the community of Williams. The other drops down off the ridge where it picks up the Boundary Trail in the direction of Red Buttes Wilderness. The Bigelow Lakes Loop Trail continues upward toward Mt Elijah with views in all directions. Those who are on horseback may have difficulty going down the rocky section on the other side of Mt Elijah. There is a bypass trail below and on the Bigelow Lakes side of the peak that circumvents this section of the trail. From Mt Elijah, the trail descends down a rocky ridge where you will encounter an unmarked trail intersection. Continue straight ahead. About a mile from the peak, watch carefully on the right for the narrow trail that will take you back to the parking area. This trail is somewhat hidden behind brush and not well marked. It connects you to the abandoned road that takes you back to the parking area. Note: If someone dropped you off at the Bigelow Lakes trailhead so you can hike down to Oregon Caves, continue straight ahead at this intersection. The trail to the monument intersects with the Big Tree Loop Trail. At that intersection you can go either way to get to the monument.

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Disclaimer: All information in Highway199.org is accurate to the best knowledge of the author. However, conditions in outdoor settings can change dramatically after storms or fires. For this reason, travelers are advised to check current road conditions before traveling through the area, drive responsibly and take measures to understand safety issues in the region. When participating in outdoor activities, always plan and prepare for safe hiking, swimming or any other activities mentioned in the Highway 199 website. More on disclaimer and copyright...