School Canyon-Little Badger Creek Loop Hike

Overview

This hike explores two less used trails on the east side of Badger Creek Wilderness. This area is located in the rain shadow of the Cascades, so it gets significantly less rain and snow than the west side of the mountains. You'll begin the loop with a short uphill off-trail section that takes you to Road 27, where the School Canyon Trailhead is located. In the first mile or so of the School Canyon Trail, there are white oak forests and picturesque meadows covered with balsamroot, lupine, larkspur, and other blooming wildflowers in May and June. Higher up (and along Little Badger Creek), there are ponderosa pines, with a mix of firs and the occasional juniper and oak. There are some viewpoints to the east onto the flats near the White and Deschutes rivers; these make a stark contrast with lush green mountains around you. Unless you are doing a car shuttle or hike and bike between the two trailheads, it is recommended that you begin this loop at the Little Badger Creek Trailhead. Cross FR 2710, and find the trail heading in near the culvert through which Little Badger Creek flows. Almost immediately, before you even reach the wilderness sign, begin your half-mile off-trail ascent through a ponderosa pine parkland. Keep heading up, N or NNE, soon passing into oak woods and meadows blooming with penstemon and balsamroot. Views open up along the Little Badger Creek valley, with Gordon Butte on the left and Flag Point at the head of the valley. The route steepens briefly and then becomes more gentle. You'll pass through a dense band of oaks just before reaching paved FR 27. Turn left here to hike up the road to reach the School Canyon Trailhead. The School Canyon Trail begins gently uphill on a wide ridge through a pine/oak grassland. There are views to the left all the way to Mount Jefferson and the Three Sisters. As you climb towards Ball Point (yes, that is the name), the trail becomes steeper and leads to a great 270-degree saddle viewpoint. Then the trail goes around the north side of Ball Point through a 200

Trail Stats

Photos

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