I took advantage of a clear window of blue skies. I actually had been backpacking on the Metolious and ended my journey with the summit hike. Last year i did the entire lower and upper black butte trail but this year i drove to the upper trail. It was a beautiful day. I went up early morning and enjoyed the frozen frost covered plants. There were some ice patches along the middle shaded area of trail with some snow on top that was quite frozen. I didn’t stay long because a weird fog or summit cloud appeared blocking the views. It ended up burning off quickly as i started down but i still enjoyed amazing views. The ice and snow sheets were melting off the lookout tower making incredible crashing noises. No one was up there but myself until i started down then several people were heading up. Its a fantastic trail of that a lot of people use as a running trail. Two peaks complete-4 more to go! 😁
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Hmm, i am not sure why some photos are upside down? Is that fixable? Anyway had a fantastic solo adventure
Upside down? I don’t know what you’re talking about. 🙃
We fixed them. It can happen sometimes if the EXIF data isn’t found with the image, which can sometimes happen if you edit an image depending on the app you use. Or internet gremlins.
Great photos, BTW! How was the washboard gravel road to the upper trailhead? I hiked Black Butte from the lower trailhead a while back, and am planning to head back to hike it again on the 14th. I’m not sweating the road, but asking for a friend.
The photos were initially upside down they corrected within 24 hrs, probably should have deleted that comment- i appreciate that you fixed them so quickly.
I had a great drive up. The road was clear – no ice nor snow. The first 1/3 or so off Indian camp exit is roadway, the left hand turn onto the Black Butte forest road is gravel that does have your traditional ripples and ruts with a few pot holes to watch for. The last 1/3 of the road has a sign that says rough road- and it was pretty true. I drive a hyundia sedan and i did fine having to drive to the side of some large pot holes full of water so i am not sure their depth. I talked to a couple who drove their prius up and they said they dragged rocks several times. I never hit bottom in my car. I saw mostly Subarus and trucks coming up when i was going down. I often take my car on off-road adventures though and had no concerns. Having done both the upper and the full lower to summit trails, i much prefer the long one. Driving up took 45 minutes only saving me about an hr or so of hiking time. When i hiked the long trail it took me 1hr 40 minutes to get from the lower trailhead to the upper trailhead so hiking vs driving up the road🤷🏼♂️ It only reduced the muscle fatigue and reduced the miles hiked. But maybe in a truck or Subaru one can drive up the road faster than i could in my hyundia. Long winded answer- hopefully it is helpful.