Crofton Butte Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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- Start point: Crofton Ridge East Trailhead
- Ending Point: Crofton Butte
- Trail Log:
- Distance: 3.3 miles
- Elevation gain: 1100 feet
- High Point: 5,272 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: Late spring into fall
- Family Friendly: Yes, for adventurous kids
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: No
Contents |
Hike Description
The Crofton Ridge Trail enters the Mount Adams Wilderness, crosses three running creeks, and heads up a slope to reach the saddle between Crofton Butte and Lower Butte, two old volcanoes. You can depart the trail for a 0.3 miles cross-country jaunt to the volcanic plug at the summit of Crofton Butte. The landscape, once a set of large meadows, was again opened up by the intense 2012 Cascade Creek Fire. You'll get a view of Mount Adams on the way up, and the large boulder at the summit is a quick little scramble. This is a great short excursion for families with kids who like adventuring off trail.
After filling out a wilderness entry permit, follow the Crofton Ridge Trail to cross Morrison Creek on a sturdy footbridge. These woods were scorched by the 2012 Cascade Creek Fire, and young conifers have been slow to reestablish. Gradually ascend to cross over a broad ridge to get views of Mount Adams. Switchback down to a draw, and make a traverse before crossing Shorthorn Creek. Descend to the lush bottom of Crofton Creek, and then ascend a slope through an unburned forest of Douglas-fir, subalpine fir, grand fir, and ponderosa pine. Once you reach a saddle, you'll see Lower Butte down to your left.
Leave the trail to your right, and head up through a totally burned forest on a carpet of sedges, bear-grass, and peavine littered with fallen snags. Only a few young conifers, mostly subalpine firs, have reestablished themselves. A meadow slightly down the slope offers another view of Mount Adams. Pass by some rock outcroppings with a handful of unburned trees. The deadfall is worse the higher you get, but you can easily weave around and over the fallen tree skeletons. About a third of a mile from the trail, you’ll come to the massive boulder at the summit of Crofton Butte, the remains of a volcanic plug. At its base is a phlox/bear-grass meadow and Mount Adams can be viewed through the forest of burn snags. You can easily scramble up the rock from its northwest corner. On the top are clumps of penstemon and pinemat manzanita shaded by a few hardy – and living – lodgepole pines.
Return the way you came, making sure you keep to the gradual slope that leads to the trail. Don't go too far to the east.
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- $2 toll each way at the Hood River Bridge
- Self-issued wilderness permit required for Crofton Ridge Trail
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Green Trails Maps: Mount Adams, WA #367S
- National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: Mount St. Helens - Mt. Adams
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Mt. Adams Ranger District
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Gifford Pinchot National Forest
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Crofton Butte Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Crofton Butte Hike
Guidebooks that cover this destination
- Day Hiking Mount Adams and Goat Rocks by Tami Asars
More Links
- Trail #73 Crofton Butte (USFS)
- Trailhead: Crofton Ridge East (USFS)
- Crofton Butte (Washington Trails Association)
Page Contributors
- bobcat (creator)