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Black Butte

© Wayne R. Brown

Maybe you've had occasion to take Santiam Pass from the Willamette Valley to Central Oregon. If so, you have driven past the base of Black Butte, a cinder cone situated just east of the Cascades that rises some three thousand feet above the surrounding landscape. If so, have you ever wondered what the world would look like from that mountain's summit?

Black Butte is a relatively short but fairly challenging hike for those who are in at least reasonable shape. The trail to the top is just under two miles in length. It's the elevation gain of 1600 feet and the slightly thinner air than most of us are accustomed to that make this hike a pretty good workout.

If you're coming from the Bend area, drive west on Highway 20 past the town of Sisters. Continue on highway 20 to the Indian Ford Campground exit. It's just before you reach the base of Black Butte. If you are coming from the Willamette Valley, drive east on Highway 20 out of Salem. Stay on highway 20 through Santiam Pass (a drive of a couple hours or so). After descending from the pass, you will go by Black Butte Ranch. Black Butte will loom to your left. Just past the butte you will see the sign for Indian Ford Campground. Whichever direction you are coming from, turn north at the sign for Indian Ford Campground. Drive north for a few miles on a well paved road that skirts the east side of the Butte. Turn left on Green Ridge Road. Turn left again on Road 1110. Prepare to drive slow on this gravel road and still have half your teeth rattled right out of your skull by the worst stretch of washboards I have ever encountered. Eventually, the road splits. Stay right. The road is now dirt and the washboards are behind you. There are, however, some rocks that jut up from the road here and there that you will need to navigate. This road was not made for the family car. A pickup or SUV would be more appropriate, although something with just a bit of extra clearance, like a Subaru wagon, would do just fine. There is ample parking at the trailhead for the limited amount of traffic that this trail gets.

The trail starts by climbing up the mountain. It does not stop climbing at any point along its entire length. You will find yourself walking through a steep, pine forest with a fair amount of underbrush such as serviceberry and rhododendron lining the path. The trail climbs and climbs and climbs some more.

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