Lake Owen Association Guided Hike to Juniper Rock & The Swedish Settlement

On Wednesday, July 16, 2025 the Lake Owen Association is sponsoring a free guided day hike on the North County Trail meeting in the parking lot trailhead on National Forest Road 202 (Old Grade Road, see location below).  From the trailhead we hike first to Juniper Rock and then to the Swedish Settlement, almost 2 miles one way.

Here is the Swedish Settlement map:

A sign marks the spur trail to the Swedish Settlement, 200 yards south of the trail. This location was once farmed by a rather large Swedish family in the late 1800’s which was abandoned at the start of the Great Depression. What remains are the foundations of the house, barn, and other buildings, as well as an intact concrete Spring House covering a spring that flows all year. Several remarkable juice apple trees still bear fruit in the fields below the house foundation despite a lack of care for over 80 years and winters with temperatures down to 45 below zero Fahrenheit.

There is only one vault toilet on this hike at the Marengo River Shelter .

Here is the NCT map showing the parking area and the trail.

Trail Map from parking lot to Swedish Settlement

Juniper Rock is about 3,000 feet down the NCT where there is a short spur trail to the south to Juniper Rock overlook and the wide open Marengo Valley.

Please wear sturdy shoes or hiking boots, bring rain gear if precipitation is in the forecast, treat your clothing with Permethrin the day before according to directions, bring a camera and some water.

Registration is necessary. To register and to ask questions, contact Ed Ronkowski either at eronkowski@hotmail.com or by phone or TEXT at 708 227-5372.  In the event of thunderstorms or serious rain, you will be notified of the new date. Younger participants need be accompanied by a parent or responsible adult guardian.