West Fork Salmon River (Clackamas County, Oregon) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids West Fork Salmon River |
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 Location of the mouth of the West Fork Salmon River in Oregon
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| Country | United States |
| State | Oregon |
| County | Clackamas |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Mount Hood Cascade Range 5,497 ft (1,675 m) 45°19′26″N 121°42′47″W / 45.32389°N 121.71306°W |
| River mouth | Salmon River near Red Top Meadow 3,552 ft (1,083 m) 45°16′50″N 121°42′47″W / 45.28056°N 121.71306°W |
The West Fork Salmon River is a small river in Oregon, a state in the United States. It's a branch, or "tributary," of the larger Salmon River. This river flows through Clackamas County.
Contents
West Fork Salmon River: Where It Begins and Ends
The West Fork Salmon River starts high up near Timberline Lodge. This lodge is at the base of Mount Hood, a famous mountain in the Cascade Range.
The River's Journey
From Mount Hood, the river flows mostly south. It eventually joins the main part of the Salmon River. This meeting point is close to a place called Red Top Meadow. You can find this spot a little south of where two main roads, U.S. Route 26 and Oregon Route 35, cross paths.
Inside the Forest
The entire West Fork Salmon River is located inside the Mount Hood National Forest. This means it's surrounded by beautiful trees and nature. Interestingly, this river doesn't have any smaller streams or "tributaries" that flow into it along its path.
Fun Things to Do Near the River
Near the West Fork Salmon River, you can find a place called Alpine Campground. It's about halfway between the West Fork and the main Salmon River.
Alpine Campground: High Up in the Mountains
Alpine Campground is the highest campground in the Mount Hood National Forest. It's very close to Timberline Lodge. This makes it a great spot for outdoor adventures.
Activities at Alpine Campground
- Hiking: You can explore many trails on foot.
- Mountain Biking: There are also trails perfect for riding bikes.
The campground is usually open from early June until early September. Sometimes, even in the middle of summer, you might still find snow there because it's so high up!
