Pigeon Butte Loop Hike

Overview

The southern section of the William L. Finley National Wildlife Refuge, named after one of Oregon’s pioneer conservationists, has gravel maintenance tracks and grassy paths that are open to the public between April 1st and October 31st. A loop route will take you past a marsh and Muddy Creek, up a low hill to see the magnificent Cheadle Barn, and then across fields to the low volcano of Pigeon Butte. From here, you can walk north to marshes and ponds in the center of the refuge before using a boggy track to return to Bruce Road. To finish the loop, it’s about a mile of birdwatching with binoculars back to the Cheadle Marsh Trailhead. A short loop of only 1 ½ miles is possible using the Cheadle Marsh Trail. A short lollipop loop of 2 ½ miles can also be made from the Beaver and Cattail Ponds Trailhead. For a much longer loop that takes in almost everything the refuge has to offer, combine this loop with the Finley Refuge Loop Hike. Head past the gate on the east side of the parking area, first taking in the view to Pigeon Butte across marshes and fields. This is a grassy path, not often mowed, lined with oak and ash trees dripping with witch’s hair. A hedge of western spiraea runs along one side. The raised track continues through the wetland, crossed by many beaver trails. Large-leaf lupine sprouts trailside. On the right is an oak/ash swale. A loop of meandering Muddy Creek comes close to the trail. Pass a body of open water with a clear view to Pigeon Butte, named after the band-tailed pigeons that flock to a mineral spring on its flanks. Soon reach a trail sign and go left around the base of a low hill. Reach another sign in a small grove of apple trees and head up the slope on a vehicle track to the Cheadle Barn, flanked by ancient fruit trees and a grove of locusts. Heed the signs and do not enter the structure. To the east of the barn, lilacs, daffodils, flowering quince, and Spanish bluebells indicate the former homestead garden. An oak woodland dresses the northern slope of this hill. Drop back dow

Trail Stats

Photos

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400px-PigeonButteLoopMap

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