Black Butte Hike

Overview

Black Butte, a prominent landmark on the east side of the Cascade crest, is a small stratovolcano that offers substantial prominence above the ponderosa pine woodlands and the headwaters of the Metolius River below. A 62-foot fire lookout tower stands atop the butte along with a white cupola cabin that was put there in 1923. Note that the two-mile trail to the summit is pretty hot and dusty by mid-summer and may not be suitable for small children and pets on especially warm days. The trail begins at the far end of the parking lot at a signboard and climbs uphill through the trees, mainly old-growth ponderosa pines. After a switchback, the path continues to climb. A mile from the trailhead, you leave the trees behind as the trail steeply traverses the shadeless open slope cloaked with snow brush. Fortunately, there are great views along this stretch to motivate you to keep going, and you can see the top of the fire lookout tower on the summit. This tower was built in 1995 and is staffed in the summer. The trail curves to the left as it makes its final push to the summit. The fire lookout is visible on your left. The trail was re-routed in 2011 and you may see evidence of the old trail leading up to the tower, but you'll stay on the trail heading straight, which shortly brings you to the summit. You'll see the concrete footings from a previous lookout tower that was built in 1934 and collapsed in 2001. The white cupola cabin that was built in 1923 still stands. Volunteers started restoring it in 2019. Just down the slope from this lookout is where a cabin that served as living quarters once stood. It was built in 1979 but fell into disrepair and was burned down by the Forest Service in 2016. The impressive views stretch for many miles. To the north, you can see Mount Hood and Mount. Jefferson. You can also get good views to Three Fingered Jack and the Three Sisters. On clear days, views stretch from Mount Adams in the north to Diamond Peak in the south. The public cannot access the structures on the summit.

Trail Stats

Photos

Blackbuttemap.jpg

Blackbuttemap.jpg

400px-Blackbuttelookout

400px-Blackbuttelookout

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