Inspired by Jvangelds post about whether there's a viable route from Rock Creek Pass to Road 41, I hiked from the TH at Rock Creek Pass, Road 406, (AKA “Greenleaf Trail” on old maps.) It turns out this is a nice direct route to Road 41, and would be 4WD-drivable most of the way, if you could access it, which you can’t. It looks like it is occasionally used by ATV’s and dirt bikes, but rarely, it appears. 90% of the route passes through old second growth with a short section of old growth about a mile from the south TH. Delightful. There are no clear viewpoints until you pop out of the trees as you start to traverse the east face of Lookout Mt. and there the views are great. The weather was as clear as it can get so the usual suspects, Mt. Hood, Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Adams were out in all their splendor.
The start of the route at Rock Creek Pass:
The route splits in a couple hundred feet but rejoins in about a quarter mile. The options are difficult and more difficult, but only for a short way.
Most of the route looks like this:
Here's a steep and very rocky section. A half dozen or so spots like this.
I continued through the saddle between Lookout Mt. and Little Lookout Mt. and headed east on Road 41. The idea was to ascend Little Lookout Mt. via the east side, which my map said was a higher starting point. (Only 30 feet higher, as it turned out.) Deep snow dissuaded me so back I went to the saddle and went up the west face. It’s not nearly as formidable as it first appears and I enjoyed a flower strewn rocky ridge climb to magnificent views in all directions. After an enjoyable lunch, I headed back, not looking forward to the 530’ of re-climb on the route.
The SW face of Little Lookout Mt. from the saddle:
Nice flowers:
Snow blocking road 41 NE of Little Lookout Mt.
The rockslide east of Lookout Mt. is a little worse than when I was here a few years ago. Even an ATV might have problems here:
This route would be much better were it not for the half dozen or so very steep and rocky sections - and, of course, that 530' re-climb on the way back. But then, it’s all part of the game.
The route is clear of all blowdown, except a couple of recently fallen trees, easily stepped around. Foliage encroaches from the sides, but for a hiker, that's no problem at all. Should I hike this route again, I’ll take clippers and do some proactive trimming.
I saw no one, not even a footprint anywhere, no gunshots in the distance and no noisy dirt bikes or ATV’s. All-in-all, this was as perfect a day in the woods as it gets.
13.0 miles out-and-back, 3003’ EG. Hike # 44
The Map. My hike track in red.
