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Horse Rock Ridge Hike

From Oregon Hikers Field Guide

The meadows of Horse Rock Ridge (cfm)
Another view of Horse Rock Ridge (cfm)
View of the Three Sisters (cfm)
Map of the route
  • Start point: Horse Rock Ridge TrailheadRoad.JPG
  • End point: Horse Rock Ridge
  • Trail Log: Trail Log
  • Hike Type: Out and Back
  • Distance: 3.2 miles
  • Elevation gain: 660 feet
  • High point: 2,815 feet
  • Difficulty: Easy
  • Seasons: All seasons, except after winter storms
  • Family Friendly: yes
  • Backpackable: No
  • Crowded: No

Contents

Hike Description

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.

Maps

Regulations or Restrictions, etc.

  • Dogs must be on leash at all times.

Trip Reports

Related Discussions / Q&A

Guidebooks

  • Oregon's Best Wildflower Hikes: Northwest Region by George Wuerthner
  • Off the Beaten Trail by Matt Reeder
  • 100 Hikes in the Central Oregon Cascades by William L. Sullivan
  • 100 Classic Hikes in Oregon by Douglas Lorain

More Links


Contributors

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Oregon Hikers Field Guide is built as a collaborative effort by its user community. While we make every effort to fact-check, information found here should be considered anecdotal. You should cross-check against other references before planning a hike. Trail routing and conditions are subject to change. Please contact us if you notice errors on this page.

Hiking is a potentially risky activity, and the entire risk for users of this field guide is assumed by the user, and in no event shall Trailkeepers of Oregon be liable for any injury or damages suffered as a result of relying on content in this field guide. All content posted on the field guide becomes the property of Trailkeepers of Oregon, and may not be used without permission.