Difference between revisions of "Cone Peak Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
m (Changed "parking lot" to "Trailhead" for consistency. Great job Greg!) |
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[[Category:Central Oregon]] | [[Category:Central Oregon]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Willamette National Forest]] | ||
[[Category:Wildflower Hikes]] | [[Category:Wildflower Hikes]] | ||
[[Category:Viewpoint Hikes]] | [[Category:Viewpoint Hikes]] | ||
| + | [[Category:Hikes]] | ||
| − | [[Image:ConePeakWildflowerMeadows1.jpg|thumb|400px|Wildflower meadows below Cone Peak]] | + | [[Image:ConePeakWildflowerMeadows1.jpg|thumb|400px|Wildflower meadows below Cone Peak ''(Greg Lief)'']] |
| − | [[Image:IronMountainFromConePeak.jpg|thumb|250px|Iron Mountain from Cone Peak trail]] | + | [[Image:IronMountainFromConePeak.jpg|thumb|250px|Iron Mountain from Cone Peak trail ''(Greg Lief)'']] |
| − | [[Image: | + | [[Image:ConePeakButterfly1.jpg|thumb|250px|Butterfly ''(Steve Hart)'']] |
| + | [[Image:ConePeakGilia1.jpg|thumb|250px|Scarlet Gilia ''(Steve Hart)'']] | ||
| − | + | {{Start point|Tombstone Pass Trailhead}} | |
* End point: [[Cone Peak]] | * End point: [[Cone Peak]] | ||
| + | * Trail Log: [[Cone Peak Hike/Log|Trail Log]] | ||
* Hike Type: Out and back | * Hike Type: Out and back | ||
| − | + | {{Distance|4.8 miles}} round trip | |
| − | + | {{Elevation gain|820 feet}} | |
| − | + | {{Difficulty|Moderate}} | |
* Seasons: summer, fall | * Seasons: summer, fall | ||
* Family Friendly: yes | * Family Friendly: yes | ||
| Line 19: | Line 23: | ||
=== Hike Description === | === Hike Description === | ||
| − | Cone Peak is located near Tombstone Pass along Highway 20 east of Sweet Home, Oregon. It is a veritable wildflower cornucopia with over 300 species, along with some 17 tree species. The best time to visit is the first half of July, but the views are gorgeous on any clear day. | + | Cone Peak is located near [[Tombstone Pass Trailhead|Tombstone Pass]] along Highway 20 east of Sweet Home, Oregon. It is a veritable wildflower cornucopia with over 300 species, along with some 17 tree species. The best time to visit is the first half of July, but the views are gorgeous on any clear day. |
| − | + | From the trailhead walk south on the dirt road just past the informational signs. Drop off to the left of the road on an unsigned single track trail that can be hidden in grass late in the summer. This first turnoff has been missed by more than one group. It's just scant feet from the lot. | |
| − | The first | + | The first half mile is a gradual descent below Highway 20. There's a junction with the Tombstone Pass Nature Trail at mile 0.3 and another at mile 0.4. Turn right and walk the quarter mile loop, if you like. It passes through an interesting meadow filled with flowers in July. Either path will bring you to the same second trail junction. From there, head up the hill to a [[Cone Peak East Highway Crossing|highway crossing]]. Cross the highway, and walk 50 feet to the left to pick up the main trail which heads up into the forest. |
| − | + | The trail is well-graded with numerous switchbacks, passing by numerous different types of trees. At the 6th switchback you will catch your first glimpse of the wildflower meadows... keep going and your patience shall be amply rewarded! After several more switchbacks, you will find yourself in open meadows littered with penstemon, larkspur, paintbrush, and stonecrop. [[Cone Peak]] will be directly ahead of you, with [[Iron Mountain]] to the west (left) and [[Echo Mountain]] to the right. The trail crosses a shoulder of Cone Peak and doesn't actually reach the summit. For this hike, enjoy the Cone Peak meadows and return the way you came. | |
| − | + | If you have time and energy, this trail can easily be extended into a loop that includes Iron Mountain. This hike is listed as the [[Cone Peak Loop Hike]]. | |
=== Maps === | === Maps === | ||
| Line 35: | Line 39: | ||
Northwest Forest Pass required at Tombstone Pass parking area. Leash recommended for dogs. | Northwest Forest Pass required at Tombstone Pass parking area. Leash recommended for dogs. | ||
| − | + | {{TripReports|Cone Peak}} | |
| − | + | *[http://portlandhikers.org/forums/thread/11102.aspx Snowshoe trip report] by Tazz | |
| − | + | {{RelatedDiscussions|Cone Peak}} | |
| − | + | ||
=== Guidebooks that cover this hike === | === Guidebooks that cover this hike === | ||
Revision as of 03:34, 14 September 2012
- Start point: Tombstone Pass Trailhead
- End point: Cone Peak
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: Out and back
- Distance: 4.8 miles round trip
- Elevation gain: 820 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: summer, fall
- Family Friendly: yes
- Backpackable: yes
- Crowded: yes during summer weekends
Contents |
Hike Description
Cone Peak is located near Tombstone Pass along Highway 20 east of Sweet Home, Oregon. It is a veritable wildflower cornucopia with over 300 species, along with some 17 tree species. The best time to visit is the first half of July, but the views are gorgeous on any clear day.
From the trailhead walk south on the dirt road just past the informational signs. Drop off to the left of the road on an unsigned single track trail that can be hidden in grass late in the summer. This first turnoff has been missed by more than one group. It's just scant feet from the lot.
The first half mile is a gradual descent below Highway 20. There's a junction with the Tombstone Pass Nature Trail at mile 0.3 and another at mile 0.4. Turn right and walk the quarter mile loop, if you like. It passes through an interesting meadow filled with flowers in July. Either path will bring you to the same second trail junction. From there, head up the hill to a highway crossing. Cross the highway, and walk 50 feet to the left to pick up the main trail which heads up into the forest.
The trail is well-graded with numerous switchbacks, passing by numerous different types of trees. At the 6th switchback you will catch your first glimpse of the wildflower meadows... keep going and your patience shall be amply rewarded! After several more switchbacks, you will find yourself in open meadows littered with penstemon, larkspur, paintbrush, and stonecrop. Cone Peak will be directly ahead of you, with Iron Mountain to the west (left) and Echo Mountain to the right. The trail crosses a shoulder of Cone Peak and doesn't actually reach the summit. For this hike, enjoy the Cone Peak meadows and return the way you came.
If you have time and energy, this trail can easily be extended into a loop that includes Iron Mountain. This hike is listed as the Cone Peak Loop Hike.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
Fees, Regulations, etc.
Northwest Forest Pass required at Tombstone Pass parking area. Leash recommended for dogs.
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Cone Peak
- Snowshoe trip report by Tazz
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Cone Peak
Guidebooks that cover this hike
"100 Hikes in the Central Oregon Cascades" by William L. Sullivan
More Links
Contributors
- Greglief (Greg Lief) (primary)