Trip

Day Hike - Iron Mountain & Cone Peak Loops

Leisurely hikes to enjoy peak wildflower blooms and butterflies on Iron Mtn/Cone Peak loop 7/1 and Bugaboo Ridge 7/2 in Oregon's W Cascades ( E of Sweet Home)

Register Participant

Contacts

Linda Moore

Primary Leader

Sun, Jun 30, 2024 — Wed, Jul 3, 2024
Committee: Seattle Naturalists Committee
Activity Type: Naturalist
Audience: Adults

Difficulty: Moderate
Leader Rating: Moderate
Mileage: 7.8 mi
Elevation Gain: 1,900 ft
Pace: 1-1.5

Availability: 8 (8 capacity)
Assistant Leader Availability: 1 (2 capacity)
Cancellation & Refund Policy

Meeting place and time

Meet 7:30am House Rock campground (Willamette NF) on hike days, OR

7/1 Iron Mtn/Cone Peak hike. Arrive 8:00am at Iron Mtn upper TH. Drive hwy 20 E (from CG) approx 8 mi (1 mile W of Tombstone Pass), then turn N on FS Rd 035 near milepost 62, 2.8 miles to TH. Drive time 15-20 min.

7/2 Bugaboo Ridge hike. Arrive 8:30am Bugaboo Ridge TH. Drive hwy 20 E (from CG), then N on hwy 22 to milepost 68, then turn W across bridge. Follow FS road 2234 for 4 miles (R at junctions) to trail on left. You passed turnoff at milepost 68 if you reach Marion Forks - drive 1.5 miles S on hwy 22 to turnoff. Drive time 45-60 min.

Be aware of approx drive times via I-5 south from Seattle (5 hr, 296 mi) and Portland (123 mi, 2-3/4 hrs). Drive I-5 S, then exit 233 E (Lebanon/Sweet Home) on hwy 20 for 53 miles E from I-5 to House Rock CG.

Leader's notes

Updated 3/3:

Submit permission requests when registration opens. Include complete responses to following in leader permission request: indicate completion of at least two Mountaineers hikes during past 12 months of 7+ miles with 1500-2000' gain, will hike as a group, aware of driving distance/time, and travel plans (carpooling interest, as driver or rider).

I would recommend carrying two liters of water and lunch/ snacks. We will aim to return to the trailhead by 4pm.

We will plan to hike east from Tombstone Pass up Cone Peak meadows, taking in all the different flowers and vegetation. We will take a side trip to summit Iron Mountain for a panoramic view before returning to our cars.

Day hike itinerary: July 1 Iron Mtn/Cone Peak loop 7.8 mi 1900' gain, observing the many wildflowers on side trip to Iron Mountain summit and along hiking loop through Cone Peak meadows. July 2 Bugaboo Ridge 8 mi 1600' gain for colorful wildflowers throughout including an extensive section with blooming beargrass and pink rhododendrons, enjoying views of Mt. Jefferson and other peaks.

Leisurely-paced naturalist wildflower filled hikes, with 20-minute lunch and opportunities for short to extended naturalist/photo stops. If you're looking for a faster paced hike or solo hiking, please consider joining a trip that better matches your expectations.

Camp reservations recommended at House Rock CG (leader here) or nearby CG for nights of June 30 & July 1-2. Camps recommended at Forest Service sites near Tombstone/SantiamPasses (W of TH & Tombstone Pass off hwy 20): House Rock, Trout Creek, or Yukwah. Another option is Clear Lake Resort (off hwy 126, S of hwy 20 abt 2-3 mi E of Lost Prairie CG). Forest Service camp sites reservable at 877-444-6777 or www.recreation.gov, Clear Lake cabins/camp sites reservable at www.linnparks.com

Vehicle pass required at trailheads: NW Forest, America the Beautiful or similar annual pass.

Recommended guidebooks (Mountaineers): 100 Classic Hikes in Oregon (Douglas Lorain)

Recommended guidebooks (non-Mountaineers): Oregon's Best Wildflower Hikes - Northwest Region (Wuerthner), Wildflowers of the Western Cascades (Ross & Chambers), 100 Hikes: Central Oregon Cascades, updates 5th ed. (Sullivan), 100 Hikes/ Travel Guide - Central Oregon Cascades 5th ed, (Sullivan)

Oregon Wildflowers app recommended.

Iron Mtn/Cone Peak loop (you tube video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SpKB_J8t410

Iron Mtn plant list: http://www.npsoregon.org/documents/Iron%20Mt%20plant%20list.pdf

Route/Place