Difference between revisions of "Mount Beachie Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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* Green Trails Maps: ''Battle Ax, OR #524'' | * Green Trails Maps: ''Battle Ax, OR #524'' | ||
* U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: ''Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness, Bull of the Woods Wilderness, Opal Creek Wilderness, Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area'' | * U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: ''Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness, Bull of the Woods Wilderness, Opal Creek Wilderness, Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area'' | ||
Revision as of 03:33, 27 February 2015
- Start point: Elk Lake Junction Trailhead
- End Point: Mount Beachie
- Trail Log:
- Hike Type: Loop
- Distance: 5.6 miles
- Elevation gain: 1350 feet
- High Point: 5,185 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: Summer into Fall
- Family Friendly: No
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: No
Contents |
Description
Mount Beachie is a summit on the southern edge of the Opal Creek Wilderness above the bowl that forms the headwaters of Battle Ax Creek. It can be reached from the west (See the Mount Beachie via French Creek Ridge Hike) or by using the closed forest road that leads up to the Beachie Saddle Junction. Although Mount Beachie's northeast ridge is a rugged blade of pinnacles and sheer faces, the actual high point is easily reached via a short bushwhack from the trail and provides and excellent accessory to a hike up Battle Ax if you are based at Elk Lake.
Walk up the road (FR 4697) in shady Douglas-fir, mountain hemlock, noble fir, and silver fir woods. In just over one-third of a mile, pass the Bagby Trailhead for Trail #544 and continue up the road bed. You’ll pass a good view out to Mount Jefferson before reaching the small turnaround at the end of the road. From here, the trail continues up the old road bed, beginning with a severe washout at a culvert. Sitka alder and thimbleberry overhang the trail. Look up to the right at a cleft in the rock face above. The trail becomes an eroded gully. The steep slopes of Mount Beachie’s rugged northeast ridge hove into view. The tread widens out to road width again and reaches the trail crossroads at Beachie Saddle. To the right is the Battle Ax Mountain Trail and to the left is the Beachie Trail #3341 up to Mount Beachie and then along French Creek Ridge.
An unsigned trail to the left of the Beachie Trail takes you up a steep slope and then the knife-edged northeast ridge of Mount Beachie. This scramble will give you some splendid views of Elk Lake and the western ramparts of Battle Ax, but there is a lot of exposure about half way up, so most people will want to come back down and take the regular trail.
On the Beachie Trail, traverse below below the rugged ridge through rhododendrons. Cross a small stream and hike up through a lush thicket dominated by salmonberry. The trail crosses a talus slope and rise to a saddle which blooms with meadow wildflowers in summer. The trail gains more rapidly in altitude as you bear left up the ridge crest. Then the trail traverses along the western slope of Mount Beachie and passes across a meadow. Reach a rocky, cliff top viewpoint and continue up the slope to reenter montane woodland. You are now hiking just below Mount Beachie's summit area, and you can cut up from the trail at any time, or wait until you reach the ridge crest at the south end of the summit and go left up the crest from there.
In summer, the perfume of the big Washington lilies pervades these slopes. Hike up among bear-grass, common juniper, pinemat manzanita, mountain hemlock, western white pine, and noble fir. From the summit area, there are no views to the north, but you can get decent views east to Battle Ax and Elk Lake as well as south down to Geibeler Lake and the central Cascade peaks. After enjoying Mount Beachie’s views, head back the way you came.
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- none
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Green Trails Maps: Battle Ax, OR #524
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Salmon-Huckleberry Wilderness, Bull of the Woods Wilderness, Opal Creek Wilderness, Opal Creek Scenic Recreation Area
- Geo-Graphics: Bull of the Woods and Opal Creek Wilderness Map
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Willamette National Forest: Detroit Ranger District
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Willamette National Forest
- National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: Mount Hood
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Mount Beachie Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Mount Beachie Hike
Guidebooks that cover this destination
- 60 Hiking Trails: Central Oregon Cascades by Don & Roberta Lowe
More Links
Page Contributors
- bobcat (creator)