Difference between revisions of "Lookout Mountain Hike"
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=== Hike Description === | === Hike Description === | ||
| − | Ochoco Mountains' highest peak, [[Lookout Mountain (Ochoco Mountains)|Lookout Mountain]] features wide, rolling summit plateau with high desert meadows and islands of forest. In June and July, the meadows have rich assortment of flowers. This area is pretty high (you start at 5,875 feet and go to almost 7,000') and is good for getting used to elevation, and it also melts out much earlier than alpine areas of the Cascades. It's more sunny and drier than in the Cascades - just watch for thunderstorm forecast. There is a lot of wildlife. But the main draw of Lookout Mountain is outstanding views - not only from summit viewpoint, but for miles and miles along its trails. This page describes the short, steeper access to Lookout Mtn Summit, but if you have time and energy, it's highly recommended to do a [[Lookout Mountain Short Loop Hike|popular Lookout loop]] or even a [[Lookout Mountain | + | Ochoco Mountains' highest peak, [[Lookout Mountain (Ochoco Mountains)|Lookout Mountain]] features wide, rolling summit plateau with high desert meadows and islands of forest. In June and July, the meadows have rich assortment of flowers. This area is pretty high (you start at 5,875 feet and go to almost 7,000') and is good for getting used to elevation, and it also melts out much earlier than alpine areas of the Cascades. It's more sunny and drier than in the Cascades - just watch for thunderstorm forecast. There is a lot of wildlife. But the main draw of Lookout Mountain is outstanding views - not only from summit viewpoint, but for miles and miles along its trails. This page describes the short, steeper access to Lookout Mtn Summit, but if you have time and energy, it's highly recommended to do a [[Lookout Mountain Short Loop Hike|popular Lookout loop]] or even a [[Lookout Mountain Extended Loop Hike|long loop]], to see more of this outstanding area. |
Begin at Mother Lode Mine trailhead (old topo maps show it as Independence Mine TH). There are 3 signed trails starting from this trailhead, look for Mother Lode Mine trail #808A. It follows steep, long-abandoned road bed through young forest with occasional meadows, and before long you start seeing good views on your right. In about 1.3 miles the trail comes out of the trees on the summit plateau meadows, and you come to 3-way junction with Lookout Mtn trail #804 - fork left and continue up hill, much less steep from this point. In about 200 yards from the junction, you'll reach another trail on your left, signed for snow shelter. This historical, 3-wall structure with a stove and wooden roof is just a short way from main trail, and worth a visit. There are good places to camp under the trees around the shelter (and of course, the shelter itself, but expect some company) but if you camp, you'll need to bring water - there's no reliable springs for at least 2-3 miles around. | Begin at Mother Lode Mine trailhead (old topo maps show it as Independence Mine TH). There are 3 signed trails starting from this trailhead, look for Mother Lode Mine trail #808A. It follows steep, long-abandoned road bed through young forest with occasional meadows, and before long you start seeing good views on your right. In about 1.3 miles the trail comes out of the trees on the summit plateau meadows, and you come to 3-way junction with Lookout Mtn trail #804 - fork left and continue up hill, much less steep from this point. In about 200 yards from the junction, you'll reach another trail on your left, signed for snow shelter. This historical, 3-wall structure with a stove and wooden roof is just a short way from main trail, and worth a visit. There are good places to camp under the trees around the shelter (and of course, the shelter itself, but expect some company) but if you camp, you'll need to bring water - there's no reliable springs for at least 2-3 miles around. | ||
Revision as of 06:36, 8 January 2015
- Start point: Mother Lode Mine Trailhead
- End point: Mother Lode Mine Trailhead
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: Out-and-back
- Distance: 3.4 miles
- Elevation gain: 1045 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: June-October; accessible from sno-park in winter @ Round Mountain trailhead
- Family Friendly: Yes, for kids over 8
- Backpackable: Yes
- Crowded: Yes
Contents |
Hike Description
Ochoco Mountains' highest peak, Lookout Mountain features wide, rolling summit plateau with high desert meadows and islands of forest. In June and July, the meadows have rich assortment of flowers. This area is pretty high (you start at 5,875 feet and go to almost 7,000') and is good for getting used to elevation, and it also melts out much earlier than alpine areas of the Cascades. It's more sunny and drier than in the Cascades - just watch for thunderstorm forecast. There is a lot of wildlife. But the main draw of Lookout Mountain is outstanding views - not only from summit viewpoint, but for miles and miles along its trails. This page describes the short, steeper access to Lookout Mtn Summit, but if you have time and energy, it's highly recommended to do a popular Lookout loop or even a long loop, to see more of this outstanding area.
Begin at Mother Lode Mine trailhead (old topo maps show it as Independence Mine TH). There are 3 signed trails starting from this trailhead, look for Mother Lode Mine trail #808A. It follows steep, long-abandoned road bed through young forest with occasional meadows, and before long you start seeing good views on your right. In about 1.3 miles the trail comes out of the trees on the summit plateau meadows, and you come to 3-way junction with Lookout Mtn trail #804 - fork left and continue up hill, much less steep from this point. In about 200 yards from the junction, you'll reach another trail on your left, signed for snow shelter. This historical, 3-wall structure with a stove and wooden roof is just a short way from main trail, and worth a visit. There are good places to camp under the trees around the shelter (and of course, the shelter itself, but expect some company) but if you camp, you'll need to bring water - there's no reliable springs for at least 2-3 miles around.
Back on the main trail, you will come to another junction in less than 1/3 of a mile, in the middle of a huge sagebrush meadow (look for yellow balsamroot, blue larkspur and lupine, and red scarlet gilia - hummingbirds' favorite - among sagebrush). For the summit, keep straight on unsigned trail and in less than 100 yards the trail will abruptly end at the top of a cliff, with incredible views to the west, north, and south. There are old foundations of (presumably) former lookout building and the corral on the windswept lava bed. On a good day, you'll see most of Central Cascade's snow-capped volcanoes, including Mount Bachelor, Three Sisters, Mount Jefferson, Mount Hood, and Mount Adams, and all the smaller summits in between. Looking back, you'll see a glimpse of Big Summit Prairie through the trees to the east.
Unless you want to extend your trip and make a loop (counter-clockwise loop via trails #807A and #808 is a great one), return the same way you came here.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Topo map with route:
Weather
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Lookout Mountain
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Lookout Mountain
Regulations or restrictions, etc
- No pass requirements are posted at the trailhead