Don, David and I met up early on Sunday morning thinking pretty optimistic that we'd have a clear day for an exploration of the Signal Buttes area.
The plan was to drive some pretty rough forest roads just Northeast of the Ripplebrook Ranger Station to over 4500 feet -- then bushwhack a ways to the Signal Buttes.
We started at small turnoff in the road where there looked looked to be a pretty promising unmarked trail...The trail quickly disappeared. We continued to routefind for any faint path through the heavy (and wet!) underbrush, but finally decided to just track the ridgeline due North. We did see just a few small patches of snow at around 4800 feet - but really hardly enough to be worth mentioning.
No established trail of any kind so Don, David, myself and Kodi (pictured by hidden by undergrowth) figured out our own way to the top
Some of the early views: This is Mount Jefferson and Ollalie Butte directly to the south 
First views: not much to see. We were at or just under the cloud level for the first hour of our hike.
We made the summit of South Signal Butte in short order, but the icy rain had started, and we were pretty well socked in.
Looking back SSW from near the South Signal Butte. There is a small set of lakes in the middle of the picture in that valley
The rain turned to hail and it was pretty cold up there! June 25 folks!
We reached the saddle between the two buttes and saw these two great formations. Reminds me of something from the movies!
Cool volcanic formations give this hike some nice uniqueness
Don climbed part of both of these, I wasn't quick enough with the camera to get a shot of our favorite mountain goat
We did finally get a clearing and got a couple very welcome sun breaks:
North Signal Butte from South Signal looking very reminiscent of Tomlike Mountain
David's dog Kodi awaits him at the summit of South Signal Butte
North Signal in the foreground and an unnamed butte on the Hambone Ridge in the background. Just beyond that ridge is Salmon Butte (not visible)
Seasonal pond
Looking back at South Signal Butte from the south face of North Signal Butte.
Well just as soon as the sun came, the rain and cold returned. On the way bushwhacking back to the car it began to pour. BRRRRRR. We took a more direct route the road on our way back and backtracked up the road to our vehicle about .2 mile. It was a very pretty, quiet and wet forest. There were a couple spots where all-out thrashing was required, but for the most part it was a fairly easy traverse
The forest on the way back during a brief break in the rain.
Despite the rain, this was a nice hike and of course great company! I look forward to a return trip on a nicer day.
Thanks to David for sending me the GPS track and teaching me how to upload into Google Earth. I got my 60 CSx today! | 
