Crescent Mountain Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Crescent Mountain South Trailhead
- End point: Crescent Mountain
- Hike Type: In and out
- Distance: 9.3 miles
- Elevation gain: 2,200 feet
- High Point: 5,750 feet
- Difficulty: Difficult
- Seasons: June through October
- Family Friendly: Yes, for older children
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: No
Contents |
Description
This hike is difficult but with great rewards at the summit that include huge wildflower meadows and expansive views.
From the trailhead, the trail loses a bit of elevation in the first mile. Hike through the shady forest, often within hearing distance of Maude Creek. Blue huckleberries can be found along the trail in July. At 1.3 miles, you'll cross Maude Creek on a sturdy wooden footbridge. This is the last water source you'll see before the summit.
The trail remains level for a little while longer before beginning the long climb up the summit. The trail climbs steadily, sometimes switchbacking, through a forest of vine maple and lichen-draped conifers. Finally, after about three miles, you'll emerge from the forest into a series of large open meadows. In a good beargrass year, you'll see thousands of the unusual white flowers blooming here along with paintbrush, columbine, larskpur, and scarlet gilia.
After 3.7 miles, you'll re-enter the forest for the final push to the summit. When you reach a fork in the trail, go right (the left fork is the continuation of the mail trail, if you're looking for an even longer hike). In a moment, you'll find yourself on the summit of Crescent Mountain. Scattered lumber and melted glass still remain from the fire lookout that once sat here. Views range from Mount Hood in the north to the Three Sisters in the south.
Return the way you came.
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Share trail with horses and bikes
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Sweet Home Ranger District
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Willamette National Forest
- Pacific Northwest Recreation Map Series: Willamette Cascades
- National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: Mount Jefferson, Mount Washington
- Adventure Maps: McKenzie River, Oregon, Trail Map
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Crescent Mountain
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Crescent Mountain
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- Oregon's Best Wildflower Hikes: Northwest Region by George Wuerthner
- 100 Hikes: Central Oregon Cascades by William L. Sullivan
- 60 Hiking Trails: Central Oregon Cascades by Don & Roberta Lowe
- 100 Oregon Hiking Trails by Don & Roberta Lowe
- Oregon Hiking by Sean Patrick Hill
- Oregon's Southern Cascades: Camping & Hiking by Tom Stienstra & Sean Patrick Hill
- Guide to the Middle and South Santiam Roadless Areas edited by Julie Ambler
- A Handful of Trails: Willamette National Forest by the U.S. Forest Service
More Links
- Crescent Mountain Trail #3384 (USFS)
- Crescent Mountain (Hike Oregon)
- Crescent Mountain (Outdoor Project)
- Crescent Mountain Trail (Friends of Douglas-fir National Monument)
- Crescent Mountain (Cascade Ramblings)
- Hiking Crescent Mountain (Five Pine Lodge)
- Crescent Mountain (South) Trail (Bend Trails)
- "Crescent Mountain hike features one of Oregon's most spectacular wildflower meadows" (Statesman Journal)
- Crescent Mountain (Summit Post)
- Crescent Mountain (OregonWildflowers.org)
- Crescent Mountain (Northwest Wildflowers)
Page Contributors
- justpeachy (creator)