Rocky Top Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Rocky Top Trailhead
- End point: Rocky Top
- Hike Type: Out and Back
- Distance: 1.0 miles out and back
- Elevation gain: 705 feet
- High Point: 5,014 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: Spring - Fall
- Family Friendly: Yes, for older kids
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: No
Contents |
Hike Description
Near the Natural Arch Hike, this short but steep trail leads to a prominent summit in the Old Cascades. The site once hosted a fire lookout that has now been dismantled. Views are extensive from the summit and the hike up includes some interesting meadows blooming with a variety of flora in mid-summer. Note that this area was severely impacted by the 2020 Beachie Creek Fire, so expect some consequent trail conditions, such as brushiness and downed fire snags.
The trail heads up from the parking lot among young Douglas-firs, Alaska yellow-cedar, and mountain hemlock. There are views to the left towards the North Santiam valley. This area was part of a large burn about 60 years ago. The trail makes two short switchbacks up to a ridge crest with noble fir and Douglas-fir. There are sweeping views from here. Then the trail rises through an open area of huckleberry, California tea and vine maple. The trail drops to a saddle and then heads up, making two short switchbacks, a rising traverse, and then two more switchbacks. The path traverses above a steep slope and switchbacks three times out in the open. There’s another switchback at a crest and then two more switchbacks before the trail enters shady mature woods of silver fir, noble fir and mountain hemlock. The trail here is lined with a thicket of huckleberry and white rhododendron. Finally, the trail hooks left to the bouldery summit of Rocky Top and site of the old lookout. The views extend from the Washington volcanoes, Mount Hood, and Battle Ax to the Three Sisters, with Mount Jefferson looming large. The Willamette Valley and Coast Range are visible to the west.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Natural Rock Arch and Rocky Top Trails (Oregon Department of Forestry)
- Adventure Maps: Mount Jefferson, Bull of the Woods & Opal Creek Wilderness Trail Map
- Pacific Northwest Recreation Map Series: Willamette Cascades
Regulations or Restrictions, etc.
- No passes needed for the trailhead.
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Rocky Top
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Rocky Top
Guidebooks that cover this destination
- 101 Hikes in the Majestic Mount Jefferson Region by Matt Reeder
- 100 Hikes: Central Oregon Cascades by William L. Sullivan
More Links
Contributors
- bobcat (creator)