Marys Peak
​East Ridge Trail
​Hike details:
Mileage: 6.25 miles lollipop loop w/ 1,500 ft. elevation gain
Approximate hike time: 2 hours 43 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: Medium
Highest elevation: 4,075 ft. Lowest elevation: 2,522 ft.
General location: 21 miles west of Corvallis - Siuslaw National Forest
Accessible: March through December
(Best time to go is May for wildflowers and October, November, December if you want to enjoy the area with less people).
Permits required: Northwest Forest Pass for parking
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs on leash only no longer than 6 feet, mountain bikes
Possible dangers: N/A
Approximate hike time: 2 hours 43 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: Medium
Highest elevation: 4,075 ft. Lowest elevation: 2,522 ft.
General location: 21 miles west of Corvallis - Siuslaw National Forest
Accessible: March through December
(Best time to go is May for wildflowers and October, November, December if you want to enjoy the area with less people).
Permits required: Northwest Forest Pass for parking
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs on leash only no longer than 6 feet, mountain bikes
Possible dangers: N/A
(Conner's Camp trailhead parking area)
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Description:Marys Peak is the tallest mountain in the Oregon coast range and it is very popular for its views from the summit as well as the beautiful wildflowers that grow at the summit in the spring.
If you are going on this hike for the amazing views from the top, you should definitely plan to go on a clear day. There are a few hikes you can do in this area, the 6.25 mile East Ridge loop trail, the 9.8 mile North Ridge trail, and the 3.2 Meadow Edge loop trail. You can also drive most of the way to the top of Marys Peak and only hike the 0.5 miles to the top. |
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To access the East Ridge trailhead, you will park at Conner's Camp which is off of Marys Peak Rd. Here you will find a pit toilet, a few picnic tables, and plenty of parking. The trail starts off with a mellow incline through old growth forest and thick bushes along the south side of the hill. The trail continues for a mile from the trailhead until you come to a trail split. It's not very obvious, as the sign is hung about 7 feet up on a tree. But it is immediately after a bench, so that is a great indicator to remember.
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At the trail split, you will make a sharp left onto the East Ridge Trail #1324. After the trail split you will hike 1.1 miles as the trail continues going uphill and there are a few switchbacks before the trail becomes rocky for a few hundred yards. After the 1.1 miles, you will see another trail split. If you go straight the trail will take you to the upper parking area. To continue the loop to the summit, make a sharp left and go uphill via the Summit Loop Trail. Shortly after you turn, the trail leaves the woods and opens up through a beautiful meadow which in late spring is covered in wildflowers. From the meadow you catch glimpses of the Cascade mountains to the southeast and the impending view you will witness at the top. It is exciting and it keeps you going up the hill.
Right before the top, the trail flattens out into a saddle and you think you're at the top, but you have another 0.3 miles to go. You can either choose to go up the gravel road, or take a slight short-cut through the woods which ends up being much steeper. If you are here in the spring (the month of May), it is recommended that you take the road up to the summit so you can see the many amazing wildflowers growing along the side of the hill. The road takes you right up to the summit of Marys Peak, where you can also see all the way to the coast, as well as the mountain peaks of Mount Hood, Mount Jefferson, Three Fingered Jack, Mount Washington, the Three Sisters and Mount Bachelor. Because you can drive almost all the way to the top, there are a lot more people than expected at the summit. This area is heavily used, so don’t expect to be alone at the top.
(You can see all of the Cascades from Mount Bachelor to Mount Hood, it is spectacular!)
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(You can also see the entire Coast Range)
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The summit makes for an awesome place to have a snack or lunch break and sit and enjoy the view. After your break, in order to complete the loop, you will walk back down to the upper parking lot and then the North Ridge Trail #1350 starts at the north end of the parking lot, almost right by the exit road. You will head down the north side of Marys Peak for 0.6 miles until you get to a junction. This intersection is very clearly marked for your convenience and you will take a right onto the Tie Trail. Enjoy this even more lush north side of Marys Peak via the Tie Trail for 1.1 miles to get back to the first trail junction you saw at the beginning of your hike by the bench. Go straight here for 1 mile to get back to your parked car.
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Overall, this hike is moderately challenging yet rewarding with the great views. The forest is absolutely stunning to look at, and it is great exercise! This trail is not recommended if you have bad knees, since it is fairly steep going up and back down. This loop is highly recommended in May when the wildflowers in the upper meadows are blooming.
Directions:
From Corvallis
- Drive on US-20 W through the town of Philomath for a total of 6.7 miles. Fork left onto OR-34 W for 8.9 miles and then turn right onto Marys Peak Rd. and proceed for 5.4 really steep and really winding miles until you see a sign for Conner's Camp on your right. (Total of 21 miles)
- Drive on OR-99 N for a total of 14.6 miles through the town of Junction City. At a light next to Safeway, turn left onto OR-99 W for 17.5 miles. Turn left onto Greenery Rd. for 3 miles, then turn right onto Bellfountain Rd. and immediately turn left onto Decker Rd. for 2.9 miles. At a Y junction, stay right on Decker Rd. for another 4.2 miles, then turn left onto OR-34 W for 3.9 miles. Turn right onto Marys Peak Rd. for 5.4 really steep and really winding miles until you see a sign for Conner's Camp on your right. (Total of 54 miles)
- Total of 56 miles via Corvallis.
- Total of 104 miles via Corvallis.
- Total of 149 miles via Corvallis.
- Total of 220 miles via Eugene.
-This trail write-up was last updated June, 2022-
*All pictures are taken by Franziska Weinheimer
*All pictures are taken by Franziska Weinheimer
*Disclaimer: The trail descriptions, mileage, GPS tracks and difficulty ratings depicted on this website are never 100% accurate. Always hike at your own risk, using your own knowledge, equipment and common sense. Franziska Weinheimer/Hike Oregon are not responsible if you or anyone in your party gets injured or lost while attempting one of these or any other hikes.