1.3 hr
Overview
NOTICE: Trails in this area have been affected by the 2021 Bull Complex Fire, and the Bull of the Woods Lookout was destroyed in September 2021. Please check current closures in the Clackamas River Ranger District before planning an outing. The Bull of the Woods Lookout perches at the end of a ridge overlooking three basins: Pansy, Mother Lode, and Dickey Creek. The views from here are wide-ranging and the knoll where the lookout stands supports blooming rock gardens in the summer. The lookout can be accessed from many directions, but the Bull of the Woods Trail along the ridge between the Pansy and Dickey Creek drainages is the most direct and least strenuous. You will bypass North and South Dickey Peaks and the montane ridge forest opens up at talus slopes and lush meadows to offer views east and west. The Bull of the Woods Trail #550 starts up from the parking area. Pass through a thicket of willow and Sitka alder. The trail switchbacks twice in an old clearcut, passing a permit sign-in box, and there are views across to Thunder Mountain and Baty Butte. Looking back, there’s also a great view of Mount Hood. Enter shady woods with a huckleberry/bear-grass understory. This is a ridge forest of silver fir, noble fir, mountain hemlock and some Douglas-fir. Pass the old wilderness box and then a lush meadow with a tarn to the left. The trail rises past some large noble firs. Enter the Bull of the Woods Wilderness and switchback up, then head along the ridge crest. The trail drops, then heads up, traverses and drops. Rhododendrons bloom here in July and Washington lilies brighten the trail. The trail levels rises and drops, then rises again above verdant Terrace Spring. There are more undulations before you reach the Bull of the Woods-Dickey Lake Trail Junction. Keep straight and rise to get a view west to Big Slide Mountain from a talus slope blooming with fireweed and lupine. Cross a more open scree slope and reach the ridge crest. Then cross a talus slope below a rock outcrop and reach a small meadow on th
Trail Stats
0.0 km
380 m
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0 m
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Photos
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400px-BulloftheWoodsMap
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