Flag Point Add-on Hike

Flag Point Lookout (romann)

Connecting Hikes School Canyon-Little Badger Creek Traverse Hike
End point: Flag Point
Trail Log: Trail Log
Distance: 7.6 miles out and back
Elevation gain: 1700 feet
High Point: 5,651 feet
Difficulty: Moderate
Seasons: Summer/Fall
Family Friendly: No
Backpackable: Yes - one campsite at trail 469/road 200 jct, a couple more down near Helispot Viewpoint. Lookout is available for reservations in winter/spring, the sign says it's staffed 6/1-10/15
Crowded: No

Follow the trail above Helispot Viewpoint through mixed ponderosa pine and fir forest. About a mile later the trail goes through a burned area, which means a lot of fallen trees across the trail. After a junction with Tygh Creek Way #460A, the things become easier as some blowdown have been cleared (although new trees have fallen since the last trail work). Later on, the trail follows a long-abandoned road through more Northwest-like fir forest and connects with an open but little-traveled Forest Road 200. There is a campsite with a huge fire ring. Take sharp left and hike a mile up the road. When you come to the summit area, you'll see a couple of buildings and an antenna; walk a bit further and you'll come to a lookout tower, initially hidden behind the rock spire. The lookout was staffed and closed to visitors in July 2011 when I was there (the sign says it's staffed 6/1-10/15), but you may climb the stairs all the way to the cabin for a better view.

Take a lot of water on this hike, since there is none above the spring near Helispot Viewpoint, and the travel over blowdown may take longer than expected.

Mount Hood from Flag Point Lookout (romann)	Mt. Rainier and Mt. Adams from the lookout (romann)	In a mile before and after Trail #460A junction there's a lot of blowdown (romann)