Belknap Crater
About this peak
Belknap Crater is a cinder cone on a young shield volcano in the Mount Washington Wilderness, reached by hiking across lava fields on the Pacific Crest Trail. The recommended route is the Belknap Crater guide from the Old McKenzie Highway (242), about 7.1 miles round trip with roughly 1,833 feet of gain, with views of Mount Washington and the Three Sisters. You can add Little Belknap on the way up. Advance permits are required from June 15 to October 15.
Know before you go
Hazards
The route crosses lava fields and the upper cone is unforested, so there is little shade and rough, rocky footing. There are no facilities in the wilderness, so carry water and pack out everything. From June 15 to October 15 a Central Cascades Wilderness Permit or a free self-issue permit is required depending on the trailhead, and day-use permits are released 10 days and two days before the trip date. Wilderness rules apply: groups must be smaller than 12, and bicycles and drones are prohibited.
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Sorted by elevation. Bars show summit elevation against the highest peak.
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- Maiden Peak 7,805 ft
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