Summary:
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This hike to Pyramid Butte is in a strange jurisdiction.... it is in the Mt Hood
National Forest, it is in the Mt Jefferson Wilderness, and it is administered by
the Willamette National Forest. Oh well, it's in the CD and it is because I consider
it to be in the Mt Hood National Forest.
The road to the Pyramid Butte trailhead was created in hell.... oops, I said a naughty
word. I apologize, but the road is terrible. HOWEVER, one does not have to take Forest
Road 4220 from Olallie Basin, one can take it from Forest Road 46, which is paved and lined
and a great highway, and only about 15 miles from this trailhead. Of course, you do have
to travel Forest Road 4220 from FR46 to get here, but what the hay.... the road isn't all
that bad.... if you own a Sherman Tank or Bradley Fighting Vehicle!!!
So let's hike. The parking area by the way is very nice, toilet and all. You begin the
hike at the south end of the parking area and soon approach another Check Point Charlie.
After you do your duty, the trail begins to climb, gain elevation, go up!!! Actually, for
this hike it's not bad. For those folks heading for Park Ridge, well, that's another story.
Or I should say, that's another CD.
This hike up Pyramid is actually quite simple. About three quarters of a mile into the hike
you will cross a wooden bridge over what can be a vigorous stream. Immediately after the
bridge and behind a large old hemlock, a trail veers off to the right. Actually, I believe
this was the old trail to Jefferson Park, but a new one has been built and it goes straight
ahead. You take the old one. This trail wanders along the hillside with nice views of the
surrounding terrain and meadows. You'll pass a rather spectacular spring just below you
that comes right out of the mountain you're walking on.
Soon you come to the junction of the spur trail that will take you up Pyramid Butte. Now the
folks that made this trail know how to make trails. This steep, but well switch backed trail
takes you right up the mountain with not all that much effort. The trail is neat and the
views are terrific. And when you get to the top, you'll wonder why this butte is visible
in half the universe. It sticks out like a sore thumb from all over the Mt Hood National
Forest. So, when you are here on top, why does it seem so small???? Anyway, it is terrific,
so please enjoy the hike and take lots of pictures and leave only footprints behind.
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