My dog Jack and I started at Cole loop trail head near Skull Hollow campground.  It was partly cloudy and a high temp. of 46 degrees Fahrenheit.  The hike was fairly easy until I hit the intersection of Gray Butte trail #852 and Cole loop trail #854.  From there I decided to stay on the trail (#852) and not take the gravel road to the right that lead to the top of the Butte.  This trail was steep, but not bad, until I came to an intersection of a very very steep “road” leading straight up the Butte and the trail that lead around the Butte.  I decided to take the “road” straight up.  It was the hardest and steepest climb I have ever done (I would not recommend taking this route).  At one point I was having to use my hands to climb.  I would take about 10 steps and have to take a break.  But, after all is say and done it was all worth it.  The 360 degree view at the top was amazing.  The entire trip up was 5.8 miles and took me 3 hours and 17 minutes.

I took a different route down the Butte.  I went down the gravel road, it was a lot easier.  This route back to my start point was only 4.3 miles and took 1 hour and 41 minutes.