HORSE ROCK RIDGE

Distance: 3.0 miles

Elevation Gain:  900 feet

Trailhead elevation:  2,194 feet

Trail high point:  2,863 feet

Season: March – November

Best: May – June    

Pass: none required

On the traditional lands of: the Kalapuya, the Kalapuya (Mohawk), and Tsankupi peoples.

Directions:

• From Portland drive south on Interstate 5 for approximately 85 miles.

• At Exit 216, signed for Brownsville, Halsey and Oregon 228, leave the freeway and turn left onto OR 228.

• Drive 11 miles east, passing through Brownsville and Crawfordsville, to a junction with Brush Creek Road.

• Turn right on Brush Creek Road and drive 2 miles to a junction with West Brush Creek Road. Ignore the “Dead End” sign and turn right.

• Drive 1.5 miles on this paved road to a junction with BLM Road 14-1-32. Turn uphill to the right.

• Drive 5 miles uphill on this narrow, paved road.

• Just after the road begins heading downhill, fork to the right on a gravel road and drive into the trailhead. There is room for 4-5 cars.

• The trail begins at the boulders, with a large fence behind to keep out off-road vehicles.

• Trailhead address: Google Maps

• Gaia map link: Horse Rock Ridge

Hike: It’s a long drive for a short time on the trail, but this short hike is long on rewards. In May and June, this grassy ridge is home to one of the finest displays of wildflowers in the Willamette Valley. Flower fans will take their time here. On a clear day the view stretches far to the east, to Mount Jefferson and the Three Sisters and much of the High Cascades. So pack a lunch, your wildflower identification guide and your sense of adventure – Horse Rock Ridge is worth the drive!

The hike begins at a large fence across the road. The BLM has put the boulders and fence here to keep off-road vehicles from damaging the fragile habitat here. If you’ve brought your dog, you’ll also need to keep your furry friend on leash for the same reason. The trail, a former road, climbs gradually through the forest for 0.7 mile to start the hike. Along the way, keep your eyes on the forest floor for flowers. Most notable of these is the pink calypso orchid, a showy flower that grows profusely here in May. At 0.7 mile the trail trades forest for meadow, opening onto the ridgetop. From here on you’re out in the open for the rest of the hike.

The trail rides the saddle up and down Horse Rock Ridge, climbing steeply and then descending the ridge top. The flower show here, as mentioned above, is utterly spectacular here in May and June. Keep an eye out for fawn lilies, paintbrush, larkspur, chocolate lilies, rosy plectritis, two varieties of monkeyflower – and so much more. You should also keep your eyes peeled for poison oak, which is found sporadically in some of the brushy parts of the ridge. The views open up to the Cascades, with peaks from Mount Jefferson to Diamond Peak visible on the horizon. The Three Sisters loom surprisingly close on the southeastern horizon. Between the flowers and views, your progress will be slow – and that’s a good thing! Stop to enjoy the beauty of this special place.

At 1.3 miles, the trail lurches steeply uphill to a series of rocky outcrops, reaching what reveals itself to be a small cave at about 1.5 miles from the trailhead This should be your turnaround point. From here the trail re-enters the woods, curves to the left and dead-ends at a communication tower in the woods. Instead, return the way you came. If you’re still looking for adventure, consider combining this hike with McDowell Creek Falls.