Oregon Hikers

This is hike #10 in Bond's new "Take a Hike Portland" guide. It's the other Buck Mtn - the one in Silver Falls State Park - not the one off the PCT north of Lolo Pass. We did it for something different and as an alternative to doing the Falls loop. It's a pleasant little trail (Bond says its 8.1 mi RT but the park map says 6.2 mi - it seemed 6.2) but the fact that the trailhead is in a horse camp gives you a clue as to its primary users. The trail is open to hikers, mtn bikes, and horses. We encountered 2 horse groups but the trail is wide and waiting for them to pass was no problem. There are no views per se but since the trail climbs almost 1000', you do get to experience slightly different forest types. There is plenty of cool, shaded understory and it was a good short hike for a warm-ish day. For a whole day of hiking at Silver Falls you could combine it with the Falls loop, either by linking trails or a short car shuttle. Not a trail to go out of your way for but not bad for a short hike in a pleasant area.