Bald Butte wildflower hike

Wildflower Hike Fridays #6 of 5. (I can't count, obviously)

Who’s up for a fun workout on Friday? With clear skies, we'll get views of Mount Hood, Mount Adams, Mount Saint Helens, Mount Defiance, and Hood River on top. Hopefully we can still catch those wildflowers... See my photo above, from 2019. But either way, we’ll enjoy one heckuva lookout once we reach the butte.

• Difficulty: Moderate-Difficult (There are only a few steep sections)

• Hiking distance: 9.4 miles RT

• Elevation gain: 2340 feet

• Total hiking time: It took us 4.5 hours one year, but usually less

• Permits: None

• Driving distance: 144 mile RT drive from SE Portland; If you plan to arrange a carpool, I’d say $14 suggested to drivers for gas, unless drivers determine otherwise

• Dogs: Only if they’re in really good shape

• The plan:

There is an easier way to reach Bald Butte, but that’s not the route we’re taking. We’ll meet at Oak Ridge Trailhead. Following Oak Ridge Trail and then Surveyor’s Ridge Trail, we’ll make our way through dense mixed forests, wide open meadows, occasional viewpoints, and a fun ridge walk.

Be prepared to hike a combination of on-trail, logging road crossings, and ATV trails to eventually reach the short, steep section up the face to reach the spectacular Bald Butte lookout.

• Map: http://www.nwhiker.com/topomaps/hood/Hike057.pdf

• Pace: My preferred hiking style is brisk (3-3.5 mph when not running), but pace is less important to me than everyone having a fun time. We’ll enjoy short breaks as needed for snacks, photos, and viewpoints. There is no such thing as too many photo opps.

• Bring: Lunch, sturdy shoes or boots, water, snacks, warm layers, a rain jacket, and a camera

It is also recommended that hikers always carry the, um, "ELEVEN" Essentials:

1. Navigation (map, compass, and an awareness of our route)
2. Sun protection (sunglasses and sunscreen)
3. Insulation (extra clothing)
4. Illumination (headlamp/flashlight and extra batteries)
5. First-aid supplies
6. Fire (waterproof matches/lighter/candles)
7. Knife/tools
8. Nutrition (extra food)
9. Hydration (extra water)
10. Emergency whistle and general preparedness in the event that you become separated from our group and/or have to spend the night in the wilderness.
11. A vote for Pedro

PARTICIPATE AT YOUR OWN RISK; NW Wilderness Group organizers are volunteers. We come prepared to lead you on a trail or off trail hike but assume no liability for your safety getting to or from the trail-head or on the hike. In case of accident, illness, or other incapacity, hikers must pay for their own medical and/or evacuation expenses, whether or not the hiker has specifically authorized them.