Mount Lowe is the site of a former fire lookout with great views of the Oregon Cascades. It sits on the northern end of the Rhododendron (Rho) Ridge Trail #564. This trail is part of the old Skyline Trail, Oregon's precursor to the Pacific Crest Trail.

Hike Name
Mount Lowe Hike
County & State
Clackamas County, Oregon
Forest
Mt. Hood National Forest
Family Friendliness
Definitely a good jaunt for little ones as long as you stick to the Mount Lowe Hike or the beginnings of the Rho Ridge Traverse Hike.
Hike Difficulty
Easy
Elevation Gain
665 feet
Distance
3.0 miles
Route Type
Out and Back
Access to Trailhead(s)
Follow Hwy 224 south from Estacada for 43 miles to the 4670 forest road. After 8 miles, you can go for the longer hike by taking a right on the 6310 forest road and going one more mile to a saddle in the ridge and park on the right in a pullout. A jeep road is immediately behind and the trailhead is 0.1 miles up that direction.    
Another option (much shorter hike):
Instead of turning right on 6310, keep going on 4670 and cut right on a hairpin turn as you travel below Mount Lowe. This road continues up and provides a little parking area that is a very quick jaunt from a sign indicating Rho Ridge Trail #564 and is only about .25 miles from the top of Mount Lowe. 

The Santiam Wagon Road was one of the dominant routes through the Cascades from 1865 to 1939, joining Sisters to Albany. This mellow hike parallels the South Santiam River.

Start by crossing a gated bridge spanning the South Santiam River and immediately cross into a haunting stand of red alder that transitions into old-growth Douglas firs. Crossing Elk Creek can be a wet chore in rain-drenched months, but not a problem in July. The end point gets you down to House Rock, a two-story boulder known for providing shelter for folks in earlier times. House Rock Falls is nearby, spraying into the South Santiam. House Rock campground is across the river. 

Hike Name
Santiam Wagon Road to House Rock
County & State
Linn County, Oregon
Forest
Willamette National Forest
Family Friendliness
Extremely family friendly.
Hike Difficulty
Easy
Elevation Gain
300 feet
Distance
5 miles
Route Type
Out and Back (Short loop to House Rock and the falls)
Access to Mountain House Trailhead
23.4 miles after Sweet Home if traveling eastward on Highway 20. Keep an eye for a large red building on the left and the parking area will be very nearby on the right.