Mount June
via Lost Creek Trailhead
Hike Details:
Mileage: 7.5 miles out and back w/ 2,080 ft. elevation gain
Approximate hike time: 3 hours 30 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.1 mph
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: On weekdays low traffic from the lower trailhead and medium traffic from the upper trailhead, high traffic on weekends
General location: 36 miles southeast of Eugene off of Eagles Rest Road - Willamette National Forest
Suggested seasons: Late spring, summer, fall
(Best time to go is May for wildflowers and June for the Rhododendron bloom).
Permits required: N/A
Pit toilet at trailhead: No
Trail allows: Dogs
Approximate hike time: 3 hours 30 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.1 mph
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: On weekdays low traffic from the lower trailhead and medium traffic from the upper trailhead, high traffic on weekends
General location: 36 miles southeast of Eugene off of Eagles Rest Road - Willamette National Forest
Suggested seasons: Late spring, summer, fall
(Best time to go is May for wildflowers and June for the Rhododendron bloom).
Permits required: N/A
Pit toilet at trailhead: No
Trail allows: Dogs
(lower trailhead parking area)
Description:
Mount June is a moderate hike, surprisingly close to Eugene, with Cascade views, wildflowers and plenty of forest! Even though the majority of the trail is steep, the view was worth the effort. The gravel pull-out parking area is on the right hand side of the road but to get to the trailhead you do have to cross the street and you'll take the trail on the right. The trail to the left is the Lost Creek Trail.
(picture taken by Jeremy Henricks)
The first 0.6 miles of the hike are not steep and the trail meanders through a very beautiful green mossy forest. Then you start going uphill and there are a series of 15 short switchbacks. After the switchbacks the trail goes through a dry section of forest where you will see lots of fallen and split trees from wind damage. This section follows a small valley with a tiny stream bed (Lost Creek) going up to a ridge.
After 2.5 miles you will come to the ridge where the trail splits. The signage here is really clear and you will take a right to go to Mt. June. From here you are hiking along a ridgeline where there is a lot more low brushy greenery such as Rhododendrons and other bushes, and the trail levels out and even goes downhill for a bit.
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(picture by Jeremy Henricks)
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(the trail along the ridge)
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After 0.75 miles along the ridge where you will see some beautiful wildflowers blooming in the month of May, you will come to another trail split. The trail to the right that goes downhill is the short trail that comes up from the upper trailhead. Continue uphill from here, it does get very steep for 0.5 miles as you are climbing up to the rocky summit of Mt. June. Right before the summit, you start seeing beautiful views into the Willamette Valley.
(a view into the Willamette Valley)
(picture taken by Jeremy Henricks)
The views from the 4,618 foot summit of Mt. June are absolutely spectacular! On a clear day you are able to see Mt. Bailey, Mt. Thielsen, Diamond Peak, Mt. Bachelor, Broken Top, the Three Sisters, Mt. Jefferson, and Mt. Hood. At the top you can see concrete remains of an old fire lookout on this very rocky hilltop.
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(Mt. Thielsen)
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(Three Sisters & Broken Top)
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(Mount Bachelor)
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When coming down from the summit, you will see a little game trail at a small meadow that heads off to the left. If you want to have a different view and cool vantage point, take this little trail to another rocky viewpoint. You can see the rocky spine of Mount June and the views to the south are spectacular!
Overall, this is one of the most beautiful hikes near Eugene, and it is highly recommended to everyone! If you do not want to do the 7.5 mile hike, you can opt for a shorter 2.4 mile round-trip version and get the same views. This hike is rated moderate because of the mileage and the elevation gain as it is pretty steep and not recommended to folks with bad knees. This trail does get maintained, however early in the season (April and May) there are likely to be some fallen trees across the trail throughout the hike.
Overall, this is one of the most beautiful hikes near Eugene, and it is highly recommended to everyone! If you do not want to do the 7.5 mile hike, you can opt for a shorter 2.4 mile round-trip version and get the same views. This hike is rated moderate because of the mileage and the elevation gain as it is pretty steep and not recommended to folks with bad knees. This trail does get maintained, however early in the season (April and May) there are likely to be some fallen trees across the trail throughout the hike.
Directions:
From Eugene
- Drive I-5 south to exit 188A towards Oakridge. Stay on OR-58 east for 8.7 miles and then turn right at S Rattlesnake Rd. After 6.4 miles turn left across a semi-hidden bridge onto Eagles Rest Rd. Continue on Eagles Rest Rd. for 8.8 miles and find the large parking area on your right. (Total of 36.5 miles)
*All pictures unless otherwise marked 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.