This 15 mile alternate route is occasionally hiked by PCT thru hikers. It saves roughly 5 miles and 1,500’ vertical gain compared to the official PCT, making it an easier option for anyone looking to cruise out of Shelter Cove. It also stays lower in elevation if early season snow is a concern. The downsides are that this alternate has some road walking (including a section on the paved Waldo Road), and also misses some of the nice scenery along the PCT (such as the Rosary Lakes).
The alternate route begins from Shelter Cove, the popular resupply stop along beautiful Odell Lake. You’ll walk West Bay Road north, then cross the railroad tracks and head toward Pengra Pass and the PCT. Instead of turning right onto the PCT at the pass, continue straight on the forest road.
Remain on the forest road until a large parking lot and the Gold Lake Snow Park Warming Hut. You’ll then carefully cross Highway 58 and continue walking north on Gold Lake Road.
In just over a mile, turn left onto the Marilyn Lakes Trail. This will take you past beautiful Upper Marilyn Lake and eventually to Gold Lake Campground.
Walk past the campground and hop on the Gold Lake Trail. You’ll remain on this nice trail for about 5 miles, passing through the Gold Lake Bog Research Natural Area then onto the Willamette National Forest. This trail is also a portion of the Oregon Timber Trail, a 670 mile mountain biking route across the state.
The trail ends at a small trailhead along Waldo Road. You’ll then follow the paved road northward. This is the least pleasant portion of this alternate route.
It’s roughly 5 miles until Charlton Lake where you’ll rejoin the PCT.
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