Revision as of 13:55, 23 May 2017

The meadows of Horse Rock Ridge (cfm)

Another view of Horse Rock Ridge (cfm)

Map

• Start point: Horse Rock Ridge Trailhead
• End point: Horse Rock Ridge
• Trail Log: Trail Log
• Hike Type: Out and Back
• Distance: 3.2 miles
• Elevation gain: 660 feet
• Difficulty: Easy
• Seasons: All seasons, except after winter storms
• Family Friendly: yes
• Backpackable: No
• Crowded: No

Hike Description

This is a short easy hike with big rewards in the forms of wildflowers meadows and views of the nearby volcanic peaks. However, you will have to try to ignore the sight of dozens of clearcuts and tune out the sounds of nearby dirt bikes, ATVs, and target shooting.

From the Horse Rock Ridge Trailhead, go over the boulders and through the chain link fence and travel up the revegetating forest road. The trail is not well maintained and there is likely to be some small windfall to navigate around.

After just under a mile, you will emerge from the dense forest onto the first of a series of south facing, meadowed slopes. You will see many critter trails criss-crossing the hillside, but try to stay on the main upper trail to prevent erosion of the thin, fragile topsoil. Travel west for about 0.7 miles to reach the Horse Rock formation, a basalt dike that seems to flow down the hill. There is a small cave on the upper portion of Horse Rock, and there are many flat grassy meadows on the top, perfect for a picnic. On clear days, the views of Mount Jefferson and the Three Sisters are spectacular from here.

At the end of the last meadow, there's a small path leading to the radio tower, but there are no views from the top.

Maps

• Maps: Hike Finder

Regulations or Restrictions, etc.

Trip Reports

• Search Trip Reports for Horse Rock Ridge

Related Discussions / Q&A

• Search Trail Q&A for Horse Rock Ridge

More Links

• Article by Douglas Goldenberg about the geology and botany of Horse Rock Ridge

Contributors

• CFM (creator)
• justpeachy