Hike Log

Gray Butte from the North

Trailhead:

Gray Butte Trail Head

Type of Hike:

Day hike

Trail Conditions:

Minor obstacles posing few problems

ROAD:

Road rough but passable

Bugs:

No bugs

Snow:

Snow free

Getting to the Trail Head: From Bend head north on 97 to Terrebonne. Take a right on Smith Rock Way, head east to the junction with Lone Pine Rd. Turn left and head north for 3.5 miles. Turn left at the sign for Skull Hollow CG and Gray Butte TH. Drive approx. 2.7 miles up NF 1395, a dirt road to the trail head, it will be on the left. There were some big ruts in a couple areas but most 2w dr should be able to make it if its dry.

Take the trail and head west for about a half a mile. You'll get to a double track. Head south on the double track. This will take you on a short steep climb to the summit. I've included a screen shot of my Strava. This route is pretty straight forward but super steep in some areas. Bring poles, we didn't and I wish we would have.  Coming down was rough too. If its wet I wouldn't take this route. This hike has some great views going up. We could see all the way to Mt. Adams in the distance. And of course the whole array of local cascade peaks. It was a clear day but there was some burning going on in the local fields which made a haze. The temperature was upper fifties and for February that sure was nice.  We encountered just two other groups of people. A couple things, there were some people shooting guns in the area at the time. We had no issues but be advised that area has that activity going on most weekends.

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    1. Hi Jeff,
      The total mileage was super short, about 4 miles up and back, but we messed around a bit coming back. The total vertical gain was about 1300 ft over a mile and a half. It took us about 45 min. Btw, there are a few alternative routes from the north. We were a bit limited on time so we took the shortest one.

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