Mt Hebo, OR

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JBG
Posts: 32
Joined: June 21st, 2021, 7:01 pm

Mt Hebo, OR

Post by JBG » June 22nd, 2022, 7:37 pm

This is one of my favorite hikes/overnights near where I live. Take Mt Hebo Road up a few miles, pass the camp ground to a corral where there is free parking (45.230061981467095, -123.77890439668353). The trail climbs through moss covered trees and along a stream before climbing through the forest.
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At a road crossing the trail becomes wider and I think was an old road. After about 4 miles from the start of the trail you get to the first open meadows at the summit. If you come at the right time it is filled with strawberries. The main trail heads off to the right, but if you follow the maintenance road to the end there are great views of the ocean and Tillamook in the distance (on a nice day)
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Double back to the main trail and follow it for another mile or so. There are a few streams here, but it's best to wait until the last one where there is easier water access without negotiating around brush and bracken.
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There are quite few places along here to bushwack up and camp along the meadows that cover the summit of Mt. Hebo. A short walk past the stream and the trail descends steeply through a few switchbacks and a steep descent to North Lake. There are a few makeshift campsites there. If you continue to South Lake, beware that in the summer there are quite a few loud car campers, depending on when you go. Start of trail to South Lake is about 7 mi.
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We've done a few quick overnights the last few weeks waiting for the snow to melt elsewhere, and had typical foggy Oregon Coast weather. It doesn't have to be raining to get soaking wet. But with summer finally here I imagine it will be a nice place to escape the heat.

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bobcat
Posts: 2764
Joined: August 1st, 2011, 7:51 am
Location: SW Portland

Re: Mt Hebo, OR

Post by bobcat » June 27th, 2022, 6:47 am

Thanks for the report. Makes me feel cool sitting in my sweltering house!

JBG
Posts: 32
Joined: June 21st, 2021, 7:01 pm

Re: Mt Hebo, OR

Post by JBG » June 27th, 2022, 10:09 am

Thanks! It was a hot weekend out along the Deschutes, and even with it cooling off we'll probably look closer to home for this weekend's adventure. Gas is taking a toll on our plans - so probably somewhere in the coastal range. One more weekend and then we're off to the UK for most of July!

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