Читать книгу Afoot and Afield: Portland/Vancouver. A Comprehensive Hiking Guide онлайн

60 страница из 142

DIRECTIONS Drive west on State Highway 6 toward Tillamook to a junction with Cedar Butte Road just past milepost 18. Turn right on this narrow, but relatively smooth gravel road and climb steeply for 2.2 miles to a fork. Bear right, proceed 2.9 miles to another fork, and then bear left. The road is now quite rough and has lots of sharp gravel (good tires are important), but it remains passable. Go 0.5 mile, and then park at a saddle in the middle of a large clear-cut where a rough dirt road goes left (uphill).

The possibly unsigned trail starts 60 yards up the dirt road at a fence stile on the right. The stile was installed to exclude ATVs from using this hiker-only route.

The trail climbs gradually through an ugly clear-cut above a logging road for 0.3 mile and then enters a much more pleasant forest environment of young Douglas firs. The ground cover, typical of mid-elevations in the Coast Range, is a mix of Oregon grape, sword fern, and salal. After steadily climbing a series of short switchbacks, the trail becomes increasingly steep and winds up a forested ridge toward the summit. Occasional openings in the tree cover provide partially obstructed views, and rocky areas support plenty of wildflowers in May and June. Look for wood sorrel, beargrass, and cliff penstemon. Just below the top of the butte the trail peters out, but it is easy to negotiate the last 30 yards to the open summit. The small meadowy flat spot at the top is littered with shards of glass (the remains of the old fire lookout), so be careful where you sit.