I am not going to lie, I will be relieved when my days of exploring logging properties are behind me.
I followed directions from previous reports. 1/4 mile up the intersection to Trask Toll Rd is most formidable gate I have yet seen on these properties, and it was locked. While I had my mountain bike in tow and was prepared to use it, I did not relish earning the hard working man's wages today if it was not necessary, so I backtracked and explored NW Fairdale Rd./ NW Old Railroad Grade. I encountered two gates on this road, both unlocked and wide open on this early Saturday morning.
A number of miles up, at 45.41649, -123.42437, I saw the source of my good fortune: a lone worker in his claw-equipped backhoe (do not get on me for erroneous terminology) at a small logging worksite. This was on Northwest Flora Main Line Road, about 7 miles from the summit. I am not sure if he saw me or not; if he did, he paid me no mind.
Farther up, just 2 miles from summit, sat two more backhoes parked and ready for use.
Cloud level sat at around 2800’, and visibility was low after that. Snow was only patchy here and there, none of it impeding the road.
I was able to park within 200 vertical feet and 1/4-mile walk of the summit, easily accessed even as the sky pelted me on and off with sleet via an out-of-use jeep road, which I followed until I identified a faint trail to the summit (there appear to be several of these). The clearing for the old fire lookout and living quarters, as well as the old foundation, is still evident, though it is surrounded by trees. According to the Gaia, the true summit was right at a large-ish tree tucked 10 yards into the woods, but ground in the clearing appeared to be higher. I wandered around the broad clearing to be certain, but I did not find any benchmark.
I was in a high-clearance SUV rental which I would recommend for these roads. It certainly would be possible in a lesser vehicle if it is one you do not care about abusing.
Just a few hundred yards above the last gate coming out, I encountered two mountain bikers. They were not after Trask Mountain, just a ride, but they were well familiar with the area.
Dundeel - Jul 15, 2012 12:24 am Date Climbed: Apr 1, 2006
Trask Tag
I had to walk from about 2 miles away due to snow.
Dean - Nov 7, 2011 11:04 pm Date Climbed: Oct 18, 2003
Twice
My wife accompanied on this one the first timeand took some pics of me standing on the summit. Well, I was standing on a rock in the middle of a clearing but using the word "summit" is really stretching it. One of those Oregon low elevation mountains that are covered in trees and views are non existent. We also had fog and drizzle to contend with but that is often the case in this part of Oregon.
2nd visit:
With cohp'ers Trapper and Roxanne on Nov 1st. We had just done Lincoln county's two highpoints and then we did Trask Mountain and later the same day we did Rogers Peak and Washington county's Saddle Mountains twin spots. Bob Bolton joined us for Rogers and Saddle. 4 in one day on Nov 1st.
ericnoel - Nov 7, 2011 9:45 pm Date Climbed: Nov 5, 2011
Trask
Did this with Redwic and he's provided all of the info about our trip.
Redwic - Nov 7, 2011 9:07 pm Date Climbed: Nov 5, 2011
My 15th OR CoHP, My 105th USA CoHP
Eric and I summited this peak together. The road directions were not confusing for us and the lower access gate was open, but the roads were surprisingly covered with snow above 2000' elevation. Some sections were slick, but we did OK for a 2WD vehicle. The hike was short; we were probably only gone from the vehicle 30 minutes roundtrip, including extra time spent at the summit looking at old lookout remnants and finding highpoints. This was our third CoGPP of the day.
huskertriguy - Apr 15, 2019 7:52 pm Date Climbed: Apr 13, 2019
Spring SuccessI am not going to lie, I will be relieved when my days of exploring logging properties are behind me.
I followed directions from previous reports. 1/4 mile up the intersection to Trask Toll Rd is most formidable gate I have yet seen on these properties, and it was locked. While I had my mountain bike in tow and was prepared to use it, I did not relish earning the hard working man's wages today if it was not necessary, so I backtracked and explored NW Fairdale Rd./ NW Old Railroad Grade. I encountered two gates on this road, both unlocked and wide open on this early Saturday morning.
A number of miles up, at 45.41649, -123.42437, I saw the source of my good fortune: a lone worker in his claw-equipped backhoe (do not get on me for erroneous terminology) at a small logging worksite. This was on Northwest Flora Main Line Road, about 7 miles from the summit. I am not sure if he saw me or not; if he did, he paid me no mind.
Farther up, just 2 miles from summit, sat two more backhoes parked and ready for use.
Cloud level sat at around 2800’, and visibility was low after that. Snow was only patchy here and there, none of it impeding the road.
I was able to park within 200 vertical feet and 1/4-mile walk of the summit, easily accessed even as the sky pelted me on and off with sleet via an out-of-use jeep road, which I followed until I identified a faint trail to the summit (there appear to be several of these). The clearing for the old fire lookout and living quarters, as well as the old foundation, is still evident, though it is surrounded by trees. According to the Gaia, the true summit was right at a large-ish tree tucked 10 yards into the woods, but ground in the clearing appeared to be higher. I wandered around the broad clearing to be certain, but I did not find any benchmark.
I was in a high-clearance SUV rental which I would recommend for these roads. It certainly would be possible in a lesser vehicle if it is one you do not care about abusing.
Just a few hundred yards above the last gate coming out, I encountered two mountain bikers. They were not after Trask Mountain, just a ride, but they were well familiar with the area.
Dundeel - Jul 15, 2012 12:24 am Date Climbed: Apr 1, 2006
Trask TagI had to walk from about 2 miles away due to snow.
Dean - Nov 7, 2011 11:04 pm Date Climbed: Oct 18, 2003
TwiceMy wife accompanied on this one the first timeand took some pics of me standing on the summit. Well, I was standing on a rock in the middle of a clearing but using the word "summit" is really stretching it. One of those Oregon low elevation mountains that are covered in trees and views are non existent. We also had fog and drizzle to contend with but that is often the case in this part of Oregon.
2nd visit:
With cohp'ers Trapper and Roxanne on Nov 1st. We had just done Lincoln county's two highpoints and then we did Trask Mountain and later the same day we did Rogers Peak and Washington county's Saddle Mountains twin spots. Bob Bolton joined us for Rogers and Saddle. 4 in one day on Nov 1st.
ericnoel - Nov 7, 2011 9:45 pm Date Climbed: Nov 5, 2011
TraskDid this with Redwic and he's provided all of the info about our trip.
Redwic - Nov 7, 2011 9:07 pm Date Climbed: Nov 5, 2011
My 15th OR CoHP, My 105th USA CoHPEric and I summited this peak together. The road directions were not confusing for us and the lower access gate was open, but the roads were surprisingly covered with snow above 2000' elevation. Some sections were slick, but we did OK for a 2WD vehicle. The hike was short; we were probably only gone from the vehicle 30 minutes roundtrip, including extra time spent at the summit looking at old lookout remnants and finding highpoints. This was our third CoGPP of the day.