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Pilot Rock Hike

From Oregon Hikers Field Guide

Pilot Rock (Cheryl Hill)
Looking east from Pilot Rock (Cheryl Hill)
Mount McLoughlin from the summit of Pilot Rock (Greg Lief)
Mount Shasta from the summit of Pilot Rock (Greg Lief)
The route to Pilot Rock from the Quarry Trailhead (bobcat) Courtesy: Caltopo/Mapbuilder Topo
  • Start point: Pilot Rock TrailheadRoad.JPG
  • End point: Pilot Rock
  • Hike type: Out and back
  • Distance: 2.8 miles
  • Elevation gain: 1010 feet
  • High point: 5,910 feet
  • Difficulty: Moderate
  • Seasons: Late spring, summer, fall
  • Family Friendly: Yes, to the base
  • Backpackable: No
  • Crowded: Yes
Falling
Rattlesnakes

Contents

Hike Description

In 2009, the landmark volcanic plug of Pilot Rock became part of the new Soda Mountain Wilderness in the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Pilot Rock's name comes from the fact that this prominent landmark once guided gold miners, trappers, and pioneers toward a pass in the Siskiyou Mountains. Oregon's last known grizzly bear was shot near Pilot Rock in 1891. This is a great family hike in the spring, and in dry weather, scramblers may want to tackle the short, steep climb to the top of the rock.

Because of the boundaries of the new wilderness, you can't drive as far in as you used to and the first 0.8 mile of the hike to the old trailhead is now along an old road that has been converted to a trail. This trail junctions with the Pacific Crest Trail on the ridge. You will turn left onto the PCT (there is a sign), following the path through the trees. When the trail forks after 0.2 miles, take the signed right fork and start climbing a newer trail that replaced the steep, crumbly, poorly-graded, eroded use trail. The new trail will take you to the base of Pilot Rock, where there are fine views to the south, west, and northwest. You can climb up on the rocks at the base of Pilot Rock for slightly better views.

It is possible to climb to the top of Pilot Rock, though it is not for the faint of heart. This is a Class 3–4 rock climb, and should only be attempted during dry conditions. Note that certain clearly signed areas on the rock are CLOSED to entry during peregrine falcon nesting season (February through July).

When you reach the base of the cliffs, continue uphill to the left and follow a rocky boot path until you are face to face with the monolith. Looking up, you will see the chute on the left side. This is your climbing route. Ignore the "path" which leads up and diagonally to the right—although that may initially seem more promising—it dead-ends on a cliff. (However, that is the route to the geocache if you are seeking it.) Scramble up and through two narrow notches. After the second notch, ascend carefully to your right, staying well above the trees. When you reach the summit, you will have a 270 degree view with Black Mountain, Mount Shasta, and the Trinity Alps to the south, the Siskiyou Mountains and nearby Mount Ashland to the west, Emigrant Lake to the northeast, and Mount McLoughlin and Aspen Butte to the north. As you retrace your steps descending to the top of the chute, go very slowly because there is an enormous amount of loose rock. One misstep here could cost you your life.

Maps

Fees, Facilities, etc.

  • Restrooms at trailhead
  • Information kiosk
  • Some rock faces on Pilot Rock are CLOSED to climbers during peregrine falcon nesting season (February through July).
  • Road 40-2E-33 is rough and rocky. It is passable for low-clearance cars as long as you drive carefully.

Trip Reports

Related Discussions / Q&A

Guidebooks that cover this hike

  • Hiking in Ashland by Maria Katsantones
  • Wine Hiking Oregon by Jack Costa
  • Hiking Southern Oregon by Art Bernstein & Victor Harris
  • 75 Scrambles in Oregon by Barbara I. Bond
  • Pacific Northwest National Parks & Monuments: The Creaky Knees Guide by Seabury Blair, Jr.
  • 100 Hikes/Travel Guide: Southern Oregon & Northern California by William L. Sullivan
  • Trips & Trails: Oregon by William L. Sullivan
  • Hiking Oregon's History by William L. Sullivan
  • Hiking Oregon's Geology by Ellen Morris Bishop
  • Oregon Hiking by Sean Patrick Hill
  • Where the Trails Are: Ashland - Medford and Beyond by Bill Williams
  • Hiking Oregon's Southern Cascades & Siskiyous by Art Bernstein
  • 76 Day-Hikes Within 100 Miles of the Rogue Valley by Art Bernstein

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.