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| Hiking | 9.15 Miles |
1,552 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.15 Miles | 3 Hrs 48 Mns | | 2.52 mph |
| 1,552 ft AEG | 10 Mns Break | 4 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | A route up the backside of Baker Butte has had my interest for a while. The fuel reduction and logging work from two years ago may have made the climb portion a bit easier.
I started from the trailhead above "The Switchbacks" of the Pine Canyon Trail, using a combination of decommissioned and overgrown forest roads along with some off-trail travel. I made my way over to the climb up FR 9388L, which disappears after a couple hundred feet. This portion of the climb is at the upper edge of Pine Creek Canyon and involves 700 feet of climbing and traversing through and around locust thickets. Views back down toward Pine Canyon were obscured by smoke from the seemingly endless North Rim fires.
Near the top, I picked up the short Lookout Loop Trail to reach the summit. It appears the Baker Butte Lookout is unmanned this year—at least on weekdays.
To mix things up, I descended via a different track, following the path of least resistance and eventually ending up on the decommissioned FR 9384M. A different route back to the start included a short stretch of the General Crook Trail. It must have been open-range day for the cattle—I saw and hiked past quite a few.
The wild raspberries, though small from lack of rain, were still tasty. Pleasant temperatures, a mix of shade, and occasional breezes made for a pleasant hike. |
| _____________________
There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry  |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
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