huskertriguy - Nov 21, 2019 6:59 pm Date Climbed: Nov 9, 2019
+ Wasco County High Point
I drove the forest roads from Bagby Hot Springs where I spent the night prior. I cannot recommend those hot springs highly enough. Those roads, by the way, as well as the ones I took on my way home via Highway 26, are all fine for most vehicles -- generally. The last few miles to the trailhead were surprisingly rough with potholes the size of Cadillacs. Any car can probably handle it so long as you take it slow.
I did get to the trailhead around noon thanks to my morning at the hot springs, but zero regrets there. When I arrived there were 2 vehicles at the trailhead, including a father/son pair who must have arrived shortly before me. They took off while I lollygagged a bit eating some lunch.
The first bit involves some unmarked junctions, so be sure you have your CalTopo maps or Gaia handy.
At around 6200' I encountered my first patch of snow, which was pretty well packed down by previous hikers. A short while later I met a party of 5 descending, and at around 6800' I finally caught up to the father & son who had started as I arrived.
I hit the south summit first to be sure to cover my bases, then I headed to the primary summit. While sheltering from the wind on the north side of the old lookout, I spotted a geocache in the rocks of the old foundation. After a brief conversation with the father & son, I descended, opting to go for the Wasco county high point on my way down.
It was right at a broad snowy area that I started a short bushwhack, though it was not too dense there, it was just a matter of finding the best route through the snow. Then I got to where I could likely see the county high point, and where I would have to descend the talus and scree for about 400 feet to get to it. There was no snow at all on the scree.
I must have wandered around the boulder field and surrounding area for 20 minutes looking for a register without finding it. Yet another shoulder where I failed to find a register cairn, though to be fair on Skamania County the constant rockfall there had me only thinking about getting the hell out, so I was not tenacious in any kind of treasure hunt. Here, though, I was disappointed. As I collapsed my trekking poles for the scramble back up, I looked off to my right, and only 20 yards away was the cairn marking the register which was placed in a plastic Folgers canister. Typically I do not sign these things, but this time I absolutely did. Not many signatures in there, and the last one was on 8/20. It seemed to me the register was about 200 yards off from the coordinates of the county high point, but it was an excellent spot for it.
For what it is worth I echo the sentiment that it is not worth trying to access the summit directly from the county high point, or vice versa. It is steep choss and I doubt it would save you any time.
rmick25 - Feb 11, 2015 5:19 pm Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2013
Great night on summit
Hiked nice loop, with hitchhike on road, from south fork of the Mckenzie to Olallie Butte and down French Pete Creek.
Drove in from Hood River via the Skyline Road, not too difficult to find your way but its a lot of driving and things aren't signed very well further in. Nice hike, quite a few other people hiking this nice late summer day which was surprising all the way out here. Saw three mountain goats off the north ridge of the mountain.
greglief - Aug 4, 2013 9:19 pm Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2012
Great view of Mount Jefferson!
On one hand it is a shame that this trail is not maintained. But on the other hand, it keeps the number of visitors very low. We enjoyed views from Mount Hood and Rainier to the north down to Three Sisters.
Bob Burd - Sep 20, 2012 6:55 pm Date Climbed: Jun 28, 2012
Nick Turtura - Jul 13, 2012 2:01 am Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2012
Bring a map
Bring a map, because the native american reservation is still a pain in the back side with the removal of signs. Even the Olallie Rd. indication had to be painted on the asphalt so no one could tear it down. We weren't bother at all, however I wasn't sure I was in the right place until the trees cleared 500 feet from the top. Very lame attitude. Great views of Jeff and the crew.
sastar - Jul 24, 2010 1:38 am Date Climbed: Jul 18, 2010
Olallie Butte Trail, Sunny and cool
Good climb with friend Evan. Saw only a few other people on the trail. A descent amount of snow still covering the trail in places but didn't have to much trouble picking the trail back up. A cool wind was blowing on top. Excellent views of Jefferson and Hood. Could barely see St. Helens and Adams behind Hood and the Three Sisters peaking to the left of Jefferson.
apachedino - Nov 30, 2008 6:20 pm Date Climbed: Oct 25, 2008
From the "Rez" side
I came up from the Warm Springs Indian Reservation side and highly recommend it, the cliffs on the east side are dramatic and the views are open with Jefferson in your face, once you get to the ridge (about 1/2 way). There is also a small section of fine old growth forest at the base. The problem is that the natives don't really like outsiders on their land. I was a student at their clinic and new some of the people fishing at trout lake at the bottom and so was not hassled, but others may be. Buying a fishing permit would enable you to fish the lake at the bottom and you could also climb the peak. That said, if you want to climb from this side take th etrout lake turnoff (about 9 mile from warm springs town) it is a well marked road and just follow it to the very end never turning off. You can frequently see Olallie in the distance. The trail is also marked just park at the road end at the4 edge of the lake and follow the trail a short distance to where a sign marks a fork in the trail, take the up hill right fork and climb to the ridge. The trail is faint in places, but marked with ribbon until the ridge when it is obvious where to go.
A nice late summer hike. Beautiful day, temp around 60, no clouds. The summit is a cool area,lots of rock formations on the east side, and the platform for the old lookout on the N side. The platform area is about 5 feet higher than the spot on the south side with the cairn, according to my GPS altimeter. Up in 1:45, 20 min on the summit, 1:10 down. Recommended.
outdoorgirl - May 2, 2006 1:09 am Date Climbed: Sep 24, 2005
Olallie Butte Trail
Enjoyed the sun at the top for a while and views of the lakes. Climbed around on some rocks and loved seeing the neighboring peaks!
Route Climbed: Olallie Butte Trail Date Climbed: Sept. 24th 2005
Colleen & I huffed this one in about 1.25 hr. Summit stay of about 2.5 hours. Climbed & explored some outcroppings on the southwestern side. We had full on sun but was a bit chilly because of the cool Fall breeze. I was amazed at how large the summit area was. I love this volcanic stuff...
Route Climbed: main trail/bushwhack Date Climbed: June 12th, 2005
Ran into snow at 6000 and decided to go more or less staight up to the ridge. Followed that to the summit for awesome views. The June sun was beating down on 6 inches of rime deposited in the trees the night before so we got pretty soaked on the way up. We dried out and warmed up and had a great day.
Route Climbed: Trail Date Climbed: August 15, 2004
Nice little hike with Shelby. T-storms threatened, but never materialized. Nice view of Jeff, a week ago we were sitting up there. Forgot to bring the car charger for the camera so no pics. Nice day, long summit stay, had the place to ourselves.
Route Climbed: Olallie Butte Trail Date Climbed: October 6, 2001
Did this hike with Brian Jenkins. Great hike with incredible views of Mt. Jefferson. There are also neat rock outcroppings to scramble around on at the summit.
Route Climbed: Olallie Butte Trail Date Climbed: November 15, 2003
As Jim described it below, we ran into plenty of fresh powder and very low visibility higher up that we simply went straight up through the trees until there was some kind of emptiness in front of us. This must have been the north ridge, which we then followed until we found the old lookout. It was good that we had placed wands because our tracks had almost disappeared after the short lunch break at the summit. After this weekend's storm, snowshoes will become useful. Well, winter is definitely here.
Route Climbed: Olallie Butte Trail Date Climbed: July 20, 2003
My wife and I were the two who joined Dean on this hike. It was thoroughly enjoyable in the morning and on the summit, but got a little hot while going down to the HP of Wasco County, climbing back up outta there to the north ridge, and hiking down the trail. All in all a very fun day with fantastic views.
Route Climbed: Standard trail Date Climbed: 7-20-03
A nice hike to an outstanding viewpoint. The view over to Mt. Jefferson is worth the hike and the views down to the lakes below as well as back towards Mt. Hood and the surrounding countryside is amazing. There were three in my group, rfbolton and his wife whose goal was to capture the highpoint of Wasco county on the northeastern side of the Butte, about a thousand feet below the summit. Take water as this can be a hot hike.
Route Climbed: Olallie Butte Trail Date Climbed: July 12, 2003
a pretty easy hike on a partly cloudy day. Both hood and Jefferson's summits were blocked by clouds, but had nice views of the lakes and nearby area including a large section of dead trees from a past forest fire. there were some pretty neat rock formations to the southeast of the summit, one of which had a hole through it. saw a total of 4 other people on the trail.
Route Climbed: Olallie Butte Trail Date Climbed: October 12, 2002
Risking the wrath of the Warm Springs Tribe, I hiked this butte on a windy autumn day. Winds were 50+ mi/hr on the summit, gusting higher. A little snow coated the trail. Neat old collapsed lookout building on the summit.
huskertriguy - Nov 21, 2019 6:59 pm Date Climbed: Nov 9, 2019
+ Wasco County High PointI drove the forest roads from Bagby Hot Springs where I spent the night prior. I cannot recommend those hot springs highly enough. Those roads, by the way, as well as the ones I took on my way home via Highway 26, are all fine for most vehicles -- generally. The last few miles to the trailhead were surprisingly rough with potholes the size of Cadillacs. Any car can probably handle it so long as you take it slow.
I did get to the trailhead around noon thanks to my morning at the hot springs, but zero regrets there. When I arrived there were 2 vehicles at the trailhead, including a father/son pair who must have arrived shortly before me. They took off while I lollygagged a bit eating some lunch.
The first bit involves some unmarked junctions, so be sure you have your CalTopo maps or Gaia handy.
At around 6200' I encountered my first patch of snow, which was pretty well packed down by previous hikers. A short while later I met a party of 5 descending, and at around 6800' I finally caught up to the father & son who had started as I arrived.
I hit the south summit first to be sure to cover my bases, then I headed to the primary summit. While sheltering from the wind on the north side of the old lookout, I spotted a geocache in the rocks of the old foundation. After a brief conversation with the father & son, I descended, opting to go for the Wasco county high point on my way down.
It was right at a broad snowy area that I started a short bushwhack, though it was not too dense there, it was just a matter of finding the best route through the snow. Then I got to where I could likely see the county high point, and where I would have to descend the talus and scree for about 400 feet to get to it. There was no snow at all on the scree.
I must have wandered around the boulder field and surrounding area for 20 minutes looking for a register without finding it. Yet another shoulder where I failed to find a register cairn, though to be fair on Skamania County the constant rockfall there had me only thinking about getting the hell out, so I was not tenacious in any kind of treasure hunt. Here, though, I was disappointed. As I collapsed my trekking poles for the scramble back up, I looked off to my right, and only 20 yards away was the cairn marking the register which was placed in a plastic Folgers canister. Typically I do not sign these things, but this time I absolutely did. Not many signatures in there, and the last one was on 8/20. It seemed to me the register was about 200 yards off from the coordinates of the county high point, but it was an excellent spot for it.
For what it is worth I echo the sentiment that it is not worth trying to access the summit directly from the county high point, or vice versa. It is steep choss and I doubt it would save you any time.
rmick25 - Feb 11, 2015 5:19 pm Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2013
Great night on summitHiked nice loop, with hitchhike on road, from south fork of the Mckenzie to Olallie Butte and down French Pete Creek.
calebEOC - Sep 15, 2014 7:19 pm Date Climbed: Sep 13, 2014
TrailDrove in from Hood River via the Skyline Road, not too difficult to find your way but its a lot of driving and things aren't signed very well further in. Nice hike, quite a few other people hiking this nice late summer day which was surprising all the way out here. Saw three mountain goats off the north ridge of the mountain.
greglief - Aug 4, 2013 9:19 pm Date Climbed: Sep 1, 2012
Great view of Mount Jefferson!On one hand it is a shame that this trail is not maintained. But on the other hand, it keeps the number of visitors very low. We enjoyed views from Mount Hood and Rainier to the north down to Three Sisters.
Bob Burd - Sep 20, 2012 6:55 pm Date Climbed: Jun 28, 2012
Olallie Butte TrailAlong with the CoHP on the NE side. Trip Report.
Nick Turtura - Jul 13, 2012 2:01 am Date Climbed: Jul 12, 2012
Bring a mapBring a map, because the native american reservation is still a pain in the back side with the removal of signs. Even the Olallie Rd. indication had to be painted on the asphalt so no one could tear it down. We weren't bother at all, however I wasn't sure I was in the right place until the trees cleared 500 feet from the top. Very lame attitude. Great views of Jeff and the crew.
sastar - Jul 24, 2010 1:38 am Date Climbed: Jul 18, 2010
Olallie Butte Trail, Sunny and coolGood climb with friend Evan. Saw only a few other people on the trail. A descent amount of snow still covering the trail in places but didn't have to much trouble picking the trail back up. A cool wind was blowing on top. Excellent views of Jefferson and Hood. Could barely see St. Helens and Adams behind Hood and the Three Sisters peaking to the left of Jefferson.
apachedino - Nov 30, 2008 6:20 pm Date Climbed: Oct 25, 2008
From the "Rez" sideI came up from the Warm Springs Indian Reservation side and highly recommend it, the cliffs on the east side are dramatic and the views are open with Jefferson in your face, once you get to the ridge (about 1/2 way). There is also a small section of fine old growth forest at the base. The problem is that the natives don't really like outsiders on their land. I was a student at their clinic and new some of the people fishing at trout lake at the bottom and so was not hassled, but others may be. Buying a fishing permit would enable you to fish the lake at the bottom and you could also climb the peak. That said, if you want to climb from this side take th etrout lake turnoff (about 9 mile from warm springs town) it is a well marked road and just follow it to the very end never turning off. You can frequently see Olallie in the distance. The trail is also marked just park at the road end at the4 edge of the lake and follow the trail a short distance to where a sign marks a fork in the trail, take the up hill right fork and climb to the ridge. The trail is faint in places, but marked with ribbon until the ridge when it is obvious where to go.
BSPclimber - Sep 21, 2007 10:58 pm Date Climbed: Sep 21, 2007
Olallie Butte trailA nice late summer hike. Beautiful day, temp around 60, no clouds. The summit is a cool area,lots of rock formations on the east side, and the platform for the old lookout on the N side. The platform area is about 5 feet higher than the spot on the south side with the cairn, according to my GPS altimeter. Up in 1:45, 20 min on the summit, 1:10 down. Recommended.
outdoorgirl - May 2, 2006 1:09 am Date Climbed: Sep 24, 2005
Olallie Butte TrailEnjoyed the sun at the top for a while and views of the lakes. Climbed around on some rocks and loved seeing the neighboring peaks!
Karl Helser - Sep 26, 2005 7:55 pm
Route Climbed: Olallie Butte Trail Date Climbed: Sept. 24th 2005Colleen & I huffed this one in about 1.25 hr. Summit stay of about 2.5 hours. Climbed & explored some outcroppings on the southwestern side. We had full on sun but was a bit chilly because of the cool Fall breeze. I was amazed at how large the summit area was. I love this volcanic stuff...
Don Nelsen - Jun 13, 2005 8:38 pm
Route Climbed: main trail/bushwhack Date Climbed: June 12th, 2005Ran into snow at 6000 and decided to go more or less staight up to the ridge. Followed that to the summit for awesome views. The June sun was beating down on 6 inches of rime deposited in the trees the night before so we got pretty soaked on the way up. We dried out and warmed up and had a great day.
annaleiserabinek - Jun 7, 2005 7:00 pm
Route Climbed: Trail Date Climbed: August 15, 2004Another nice day with Cornvallis. Oh yeah, the mountain and views were nice too.
Cornvallis - Aug 16, 2004 1:35 am
Route Climbed: Trail Date Climbed: August 15, 2004Nice little hike with Shelby. T-storms threatened, but never materialized. Nice view of Jeff, a week ago we were sitting up there. Forgot to bring the car charger for the camera so no pics. Nice day, long summit stay, had the place to ourselves.
M and N Denyer - Mar 30, 2004 1:20 pm
Route Climbed: Olallie Butte Trail Date Climbed: October 6, 2001Did this hike with Brian Jenkins. Great hike with incredible views of Mt. Jefferson. There are also neat rock outcroppings to scramble around on at the summit.
hkutuk - Nov 17, 2003 12:37 pm
Route Climbed: Olallie Butte Trail Date Climbed: November 15, 2003As Jim described it below, we ran into plenty of fresh powder and very low visibility higher up that we simply went straight up through the trees until there was some kind of emptiness in front of us. This must have been the north ridge, which we then followed until we found the old lookout. It was good that we had placed wands because our tracks had almost disappeared after the short lunch break at the summit. After this weekend's storm, snowshoes will become useful. Well, winter is definitely here.
Bob Bolton - Jul 21, 2003 11:56 pm
Route Climbed: Olallie Butte Trail Date Climbed: July 20, 2003My wife and I were the two who joined Dean on this hike. It was thoroughly enjoyable in the morning and on the summit, but got a little hot while going down to the HP of Wasco County, climbing back up outta there to the north ridge, and hiking down the trail. All in all a very fun day with fantastic views.
Dean - Jul 21, 2003 10:34 pm
Route Climbed: Standard trail Date Climbed: 7-20-03A nice hike to an outstanding viewpoint. The view over to Mt. Jefferson is worth the hike and the views down to the lakes below as well as back towards Mt. Hood and the surrounding countryside is amazing. There were three in my group, rfbolton and his wife whose goal was to capture the highpoint of Wasco county on the northeastern side of the Butte, about a thousand feet below the summit. Take water as this can be a hot hike.
cmc56789 - Jul 13, 2003 1:17 am
Route Climbed: Olallie Butte Trail Date Climbed: July 12, 2003a pretty easy hike on a partly cloudy day. Both hood and Jefferson's summits were blocked by clouds, but had nice views of the lakes and nearby area including a large section of dead trees from a past forest fire. there were some pretty neat rock formations to the southeast of the summit, one of which had a hole through it. saw a total of 4 other people on the trail.
dkantola - Jun 29, 2003 2:13 am
Route Climbed: Olallie Butte Trail Date Climbed: October 12, 2002Risking the wrath of the Warm Springs Tribe, I hiked this butte on a windy autumn day. Winds were 50+ mi/hr on the summit, gusting higher. A little snow coated the trail. Neat old collapsed lookout building on the summit.