Saturday, May 24, 2025
On our way to Bend for the holiday weekend we hiked the Gray Butte Trail.
Normally we take Friday off for a four-day Memorial Day Weekend, but my vacation time is allocated for other things and I didn’t have any to spare. We didn’t relish the thought of trying to find a campsite mid-day on Saturday, so instead we decided to stay in a hotel in Bend. On our way there we stopped and hiked the Gray Butte Trail.
It was an absolutely gorgeous day and pretty soon we had a smashing view of the Cascades to the west:
Greg admiring the view of Broken Top and the Three Sisters:
Looking back the way we came, with Gray Butte itself at center (the Gray Butte Trail doesn’t actually go up Gray Butte):
More views:
Soon we reached a gate that marks the boundary of the Crooked River National Grasslands, which we were about to leave behind:
So many mountains! Mt. Bachelor, Broken Top, the Three Sisters, Black Crater, Belknap Crater, Mt. Washington, and snowless Black Butte:
The balsamroot had already come and gone:
But we saw other wildflowers. Royal beardtongue:
Fleabane
At 1.4 miles we reached a lovely spot where lots of bitterroot were blooming, and lots more still to come:
Buckwheat:
Phacelia:
Paintbrush:
Looking southeast at Pilot Butte:
The trail climbed, reached a four-way junction, then began descending:
Mt. Jefferson came into view:
Close-up for the Three Sisters:
Looking up towards Eagle’s Nest. From this side the trail is short and steep. From the other side it’s more gradual. We did neither of these today:
We reached Burma Road:
Then crossed the road to follow the first part of the Summit Trail:
Which would take us out to the rocky prominence at center:
More flowers:
Mt. Jefferson and Olallie Butte:
Looking down onto Smith Rock State Park, with the Cascades beyond:
A difference part of Smith Rock State Park, Mesa Verde Wall and Monkey Face:
Looking back the way we came, with Gray Butte at center:
Looking up at Eagle’s Nest:
Mt. Bachelor and the Three Sisters:
This was a nice way to stretch our legs before finishing the drive to Bend. Such a gorgeous day!
Gaia stats: 5.1 miles, 400′ elevation gain
