Trappers Butte & Scar Mountain

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Hike details​:

​Mileage: 6 miles round trip w/ 1,670 ft. elevation gain (to Trappers Butte summit)
10.6 miles round trip w/ 3,000 ft. elevation gain (to Scar Mountain summit)
Approximate hike time: 2 hours 36 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph (to Trappers Butte summit)
4 hours 36 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph (to Scar Mountain summit)
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Trail usage: Low
Highest elevation: 4,917 ft. Lowest elevation: 3,537 ft.
General location: 28 miles south of Detroit - Willamette National Forest
Accessible: June through early December
(Best time to go is August to early December).
Permits required: N/A
Pit toilet at trailhead: No
Trail allows: Dogs, horses, mountain bikes
Possible dangers: Steep drop offs and rocky up at the Scar Mountain summit.

(North Pyramid trailhead parking area)

Description​:

The Scar Mountain Trail is part of the Old Cascade Crest trail system and even though it is a spectacular trail with epic views, this trail doesn't get used much. Other nearby trails such as Coffin Mountain, Iron Mountain and Bachelor Mountain all seem to be more popular than this one (likely due to those trails having an abundance of wildflowers during the early summer months). So if you are looking for solitude on your view-filled hike, this is the trail for you! 
You will park at the North Pyramid Trailhead (the North Pyramid Trail heads off to the south) and you will find a little sign for Scar Mountain Trail # 3402 across the gravel road from the parking area. The trail immediately starts heading uphill as you hike through a mixed forest of Douglas fir and hemlock trees draped in lichen. 

(first view of Mount Jefferson)

After about 1.75 miles the forest opens up a bit and you will begin to see views of Mount Jefferson and Mount Washington. The trail walks along a ridge for 0.6 miles, then you will begin to gain some more elevation as you head up to Trappers Butte. Right at the 3 mile mark is where you will notice a little foot path going to a viewpoint on the left. This is a great spot to sit and eat a snack and take in the unobstructed views of Three Fingered Jack, Mount Washington, the Three Sisters, the Husband and Parish Lake below. If Trappers Butte is your stopping point, you will go back the way you came from here. If you are choosing the longer more strenuous adventure, continue on down the Scar Mountain Trail as it heads downhill from here. 

(view of Mount Washington from the trail)

(Mount Washington and the Three Sisters from the summit of Trappers Butte)

(Parish Lake from the summit of Trappers Butte)

(Three Fingered Jack from the summit of Trappers Butte)

(Mount Jefferson from the summit of Trappers Butte)

After 0.8 miles of downhill, the trail begins to climb again, this time a little more gently for the next 1.5 miles. At this point on your left you will see a foot path that takes you up to the shale rock slopes and craggy peak of Scar Mountain. The drop offs here are very steep, so please be careful. From Scar Mountain you can see Mount Jefferson, Three Fingered Jack, Mount Washington and the Three Sisters all in a row. It is an absolutely spectacular place to sit and eat lunch after having hiked so much up and down during these strenuous 5.3 miles. 

If you are on a day hike, this would be your turn around point. You can make this into a 31 mile backpacking loop, but continuing on down Scar Mountain Trail and then connecting to the Gordon Peak Trail #3387, then connecting to the Pyramid Creek Trail, South Pyramid Creek Trail #3403, and finally the Pyramids Trail #3380 which will take you back to the North Pyramid Trailhead where you parked. 

(summit of Scar Mountain - picture by Jason Chasteen)

(Scar Mountain summit - picture by Jason Chasteen)

(Mount Jefferson)

Whether you are hiking to Trappers Butte, to Scar Mountain or doing the entire loop, this trail is absolutely fantastic and will provide you with incredible solitude, stunning forest and superb mountain views. This underrated gem is definitely worth checking out!

Directions:

From Detroit

• Drive on OR-22 E for a total of 23.4 miles, then turn right onto Parrish Lake Rd. for 3.2 miles. At a Y junction, stay right on NF-2266 for 1.3 miles and find the North Pyramid Trailhead parking on your left. (Total of 28 miles)

From Sisters

• Drive on OR-20 W for a total of 25.7 miles, then make a slight right to merge onto OR-22 W for 7.9 miles. Turn left onto Parrish Lake Rd. for 3.2 miles. At a Y junction, stay right on NF-2266 for 1.3 miles and find the North Pyramid Trailhead parking on your left. (Total of 38 miles)

From Eugene/Springfield

• Drive on OR-126 E for a total of 68.2 miles, then make a slight right to merge onto OR-20 E for 3.1 miles. Turn left onto OR-22 W for 7.6 miles, then turn left onto Parrish Lake Rd. for 3.2 miles. At a Y junction, stay right on NF-2266 for 1.3 miles and find the North Pyramid Trailhead parking on your left. (Total of 92 miles)

From Bend

• ​Total of 61 miles via Sisters.

From Salem

• Total of 80 miles via Detroit.

From Portland

• Total of 124 miles via Detroit.

-This trail write-up was last updated in 2022-
​*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.

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