Backpack - Oregon Butte

Meet 8:00am at Teepee TH, near Teepee CG.

Alternate TH TBD:  Panjab or Mt. Misery, if necessary due to road or other conditions.   A change to alternate  trailhead may affect mileage and elevation changes.

5/21-22 updates (incl info requested below for leader permission, safety info): 

Be sure to read leader notes before submitting leader permission request.

For members only, or guest accompanying a member.

Leader Permission Required (no requests before May 15--earlier ones ignored).  Leader unable to respond to permission requests through 5/21 and 5/25-29 while traveling remotely, and intermittently during early/mid June.

Include responses to following in leader permission request form or supplementary email for leader review:  provide examples of your Mountaineers and private 3+ day moderate to strenuous backpacks (incl mileage, elev gain) during past 24 months including 2500-3000+ feet gain and up to 9-11 mi days, experience and comfort with easy/moderate stream fords (calf to knee depth) and travel over early summer snowfields.   Indicate you will bring microspikes (if snow fields) and trekking poles, and your transportation plans (drive or need ride, carpool interest).

General description:  circuit and side trails including Panjab  and Turkey Creek trails, Indian Corral, western section of Mt. Misery Highline, Oregon Butte and  nearby short trail to  Danger Point.  All camps have springs nearby.  Chance of some snow travel and stream crossings (up to calf or knee level).

Planned itinerary (Teepee TH): 32 mi, approx 3300' gain/loss.

Day 1:  TH to Oregon Butte Spring camp 3.1 mi 800' gain and Danger Pt RT 3.8 mi 539' gain/loss.

Day 2: Oregon Butte Spring  camp to Squaw Spring camp, via Indian Corral (spring nearby). 8.7 mi 25' gain.

Day 3:  Squaw Spring camp to Panjab camp, via Indian Corral (spring nearby). 11 mi 2775' loss.

Day 4: Panjab camp to Teepee camp TH.  5 mi 2500' gain.

Teepee campground TH may require high clearance; alt trailheads may be Panjab or Mt. Misery.  Panjab Creek bridge is currently out (5/5) and Turkey Creek crossing  unbridged - easy/moderate depth fords  may be necessary for both.  Leader will update ranger report on trail/snow cover/bridge conditions early to mid-June, and after mid-June scouting trip.

Water sources:  primarily springs and some creeks.

Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass required.

TICKS, RATTLESNAKES, COUGAR AND BLACK BEAR SAFETY:  Please take tick precautions, especially during early summer.   Be alert for rattlesnakes. Back bear and cougar range in this area, so be aware of camp/travel safety guidance and consider bringing bear spray (bear & cougar deterrent).  See links below for bear/cougar safety guidance:   https://kootenaygirlguides.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/bearsandcougars.pdf

https://www.fws.gov/story/2022-06/how-be-bear-aware-black-bear-country

https://www.fws.gov/story/mountain-lion-safety

NOTE:  This backpack is one of the Eastern WA routes  which qualifies towards the Seattle bronze, silver or gold backpack award badge.