Horse Rock Ridge Hike

Overview

NOTE: To protect sensitive vegetation dogs must be on leash at all times. This is a short easy hike with big rewards in the form of wildflower meadows and views of the nearby volcanic peaks. However, you will have to try to ignore the sight of dozens of clearcuts and tune out the sounds of nearby dirt bikes, ATVs, and target shooting. From the Horse Rock Ridge Trailhead, either climb over the rocky berm and walk through the chain link fence -or- walk to the left of the fence on a very short path. Then travel up the revegetating forest road, which climbs gradually. The trail is not well maintained, and there is likely to be some windfall to navigate around. After just under a mile, you will emerge from the dense forest onto the first of a series of south facing, meadowed slopes. You will see many critter trails criss-crossing the hillside, but try to stay on the main upper trail to prevent erosion of the thin, fragile topsoil. Travel west for about 0.7 miles to reach the Horse Rock formation, a basalt dike that seems to flow down the hill. There is a small cave on the upper portion of Horse Rock, and there are many flat grassy meadows on the top, perfect for a picnic. On clear days, the views of Mount Jefferson and the Three Sisters are spectacular from here. At the end of the last meadow, there's a small path leading to the radio tower, but there are no views from the top.

Trail Stats

Photos

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400px-Horse_Rock_Ridge_map

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