2.9 hr
Overview
The Barlow Butte Trail #670 is shown on most maps as a through trail from the northern base of the ridge near Barlow Pass to its southern base at Klingers Camp. The area it travels through was added to the Mt. Hood Wilderness as part of the 2009 Omnibus Public Land Management Act. The trail may be regularly maintained to the lookout site, reasonably well-traveled as far as Barlow Pyramid, but beyond that nature is taking its course and the path becomes a worthy exercise for abandoned trail aficionados. Even if you lose the trail, it’s easy enough to continue down the steep slope and reach the Barlow Road, which you can follow up, past numerous official Oregon Trail markers, to the Barlow Pass Trailhead. Because the trail down Barlow Ridge has been abandoned and is very, very sketchy in places, give yourself time to do this loop and start early! Head across the parking area to the trail junction at the picnic table (with garbage can) and fading ski trail map. Go straight downhill from here on an original track of the old wagon trail. Reach the rough and narrow vehicle road (FR 3530) and descend 40 yards to where the Barlow Butte Trail #670/Mineral Jane Ski Trail branch off to the left. The trail follows the wagon road down into deep old-growth forest of Douglas-fir, western hemlock, silver fir, and Engelmann spruce. Look for some impressive Douglas-firs here. Reach the Barlow Butte-Devils Half Acre Trail Junction, and go left. It should be noted that this little meadow was the site of an excavation in 1976 during which a number of Oregon Trail artifacts were found. Based on this, some think the meadow was the site of Fort Deposit, mentioned in trail diaries, where a rough cabin once stood and where late-arriving emigrants, wanting to travel light over the passes, left possessions and wagons for a late spring retrieval. Cross a footbridge and traverse up through a bear-grass carpet to a saddle and the Barlow Butte-Mineral Jane Ski Trail Junction. Go right here, ascending a slope with an old clearcut visibl
Trail Stats
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867 m
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Photos
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400px-BarlowRidgeLoop
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250px-Tree_swallows_sign%2C_Barlow_Ridge
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250px-Deer%2C_Barlow_Butte
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