Bald Butte

Bald Butte is South of Hood River in the Mount Hood National Forest.  It is accessible 7 days a week.  A short hike in rewards you with a beautiful view of Mount Hood and a great place to relax.

Location summary:

• City:  Hood River, Oregon

• Skill level:  All

• Wind:  West, Southwest, Northwest

• Access:  The entire week, Monday through Sunday

• Landing area quality:  Grass, good approaches

• Hazards in the area:  Trees on the back side, transmission lines (pretty far away)

Directions to the site:  (45.53642294535609, -121.5330420379456)

• Hwy 84 E of Portland to Hood River.

• Take Hwy 35 south to just north of the town of Mt. Hood.

• Turn left on Pine Mountain Road.   This is next to the lumber mill, but north of the ranger station.  Take this road E, and then curve S.

• The map shows the trailhead near forest service road #640.  The exact location is:  N45°  32.157' W121°  31.036'.

• The trailhead is just under the huge transmission lines.

• The top of the butte is a 3/4 mile uphill hike from here, but only 180' elevation gain.

• The trail goes almost straight north.  It is trail #688.

• An alternate route (the 1st one I took) is a 4-mile, 2000' elevation-gain hike from the bottom of the valley.

• For this you need to take plenty of water, some bug repellant, and sturdy shoes.

• Start south of the ranger station on Hwy 35.  Take Smullin Road east, and find the trailhead for trail #688A.

• You will need a map for this hike.

Site review:

• West wind.  Excellent view of Mt. Hood in the background.  Nice little hike in.  A great relaxing place to fly.

• Might work as well as the Lumber site for slope races, and this is public land.  The hike in is about the same length as Lumber, but a little more elevation gain.  I think it's well worth it.

Description provided courtesy of Pat Chewning.