Rated 5.0 /5 based on 1 customer reviews. You only really get good views if you climb up the rock. As of 2009, Pilot Rock is in the new Soda Mountain Wilderness. This moderate to strenuous hike of 16.3 miles follows the Mountains-to-Sea Trail. and then heads southwest through Central Oregon Irrigation District (COID) property to an intersection with the Rosary Lakes trail is a very popular and accessible section of the Pacific Crest Trail near Willamette Pass. CENTRAL OREGON CANAL TRAIL From Blakely Park, the trail follows along Brookswood Blvd. Pilot Rock is a prominent volcanic plug located in the western Cascade Range near the east end of the Siskiyou Mountains, just east of the Siskiyou Summit near Ashland, Oregon. Looking up, you will see the chute on the left side. The rock scramble was definitely doable, but there was one particular spot where I had a little trouble getting up to the next foothold... 3 extra inches on my legs would have helped! It has been known by that name since pioneer days, when travelers crossing the Siskiyou Pass between Oregon and California used it as a guide. In 1923, after the D’Autremont brothers killed three men in a bungled train robbery at the end of the Siskiyou tunnel, they camped under a fallen log near Pilot Rock—and managed … PCT side is less wet and snowy, fastest route to the butte during winter months. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. Explore hiking trails around Pilot Rock, Oregon. Oregon’s last grizzly bear, Old Reelfoot, was felled near the base of Pilot Rock in 1891. This climb should only be attempted when the rock is dry - basalt is notoriously slick when wet. Pilot Rock Trail is a 4.5 kilometer moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Ashland, Oregon that features beautiful wild flowers and is only recommended for very experienced adventurers. Lots of colors of trees and scrubs yellow and brown purples through the Forrest . The trail was greatly shaded for the warm day. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. Patchy ice/snow on the way. Originally named Emmons Peak for an early explorer of 1841, the name didn't stick and it is now officially known as Pilot Rock. If you have two people (and no dogs) I think you could get up the steep crux section, so we may try that again at some point. Pilot Rock. Fun climbing around rocks for a few hours spelling ten views of the west. Relatively easy until last 1/2 mike when it starts getting steep. Oregon Hikers Field Guide is built as a collaborative effort by its user community. Met a very nice gentleman at the very top and was told the best time to go up is mid summer. Not the road to get to the lot is pretty sketchy as well. OR. You should cross-check against other references before planning a hike. Can’t believe I can do it asa 40 yr old! Andrew Sturtevant was the first postmaster. Pretty steep in spots but made for a great workout! The trail reaches an elevation of 5,908 feet and is recommended for experienced hikers only. Awesome view. Super fun fantastic. The trail itself is beautiful and the climb up pilot rock is indescribable. I’ve probably gotten soft or maybe took the wrong line - but the final scramble to the very top through the chimney felt like class 4 not class 3. Connect with Facebook. use caution. This made it unable to proceed to the top. Couldn’t see Shasta due to smoke. Incredible trail. Driving – It’s a quick 35 minute drive from Ashland mostly along Interstate 5 but… it includes a bumpy couple miles at the end that might make your Prius uncomfortable and dirty. Trail routing and conditions are subject to change. The morning air was clean and sweet smelling, the sky a beautiful blue. From there it is a fairly steep 3/4 mile hike to the base of Pilot Rock. View detailed trail descriptions, trail maps, reviews, photos, trail itineraries, directions and more on … As of 2009, Pilot Rock is in the new Soda Mountain Wilderness. Pilot Rock Weather Forecasts. It is possible to climb to the top of Pilot Rock, though it is not for the faint of heart. But the smoke that surrounded the 360 area reiterated the serverity of the fire crisis. If you want to make the final rock climb up it is not for the faint of heart, but worth the view. Pilot Rock park benches provide a comfortable place to sit in a wide selection of styles and materials. Pilot Rock via the PCT (S Oregon) 29-Jan-2015, https://www.oregonhikers.org/w/index.php?title=Pilot_Rock_Hike&oldid=93307. I would NOT try on a wet day due to slippery rock surfaces. Overall though without full climb to the top such a gorgeous area to explore. There were some very slippery spots with ice, so I definitely recommend bringing waking sticks. Follow the PCT for about 300 yards until you reach a sign and trail junction for the Pilot Rock trail. With Rod Taylor, Blair Brown, David Huddleston, Douglas Fowley. Follow old Highway 99, which parallels the freeway. We took our dogs to the top of switchbacks and then each went up on our own without them. Easy for the first bit and then it’s a scramble to the top, steep but short. The rock walls and drainage systems are built really well. Pilot Rock is a famous basaltic spire near Ashland and the Oregon-California border. Climbing the rock itself too dangerous for dogs and kids. A prominent topographic feature, Pilot Butte was a landmark that guided wagon train immigrants who sought a safe crossing of the Deschutes River. Connect with Facebook. Trails, call Bend Fort Rock Ranger ... climbing the trail to the summit of Pilot Butte. After one mile you pass a trailhead where the PCT crosses, but ignore this. The hike to the base of the rock is easy and fun, with views up across the Shasta Valley to Mount Shasta. Sign Up or Log In. absolutely gorgeous trail. I tried to get up the steep crux on the left hand side but couldn’t. First mile easy grade until the trail splits. Shut-In Trail . After the second notch, ascend carefully to your right staying well above the trees. You will turn left onto the PCT (there is a sign), following the path through the trees. Beautiful day with view of Mt Shasta. Amazing views. Beyond the Siskiyou summit, turn left onto Pilot Rock Road 40-2E-33. This page was last modified on 10 August 2020, at 16:09. Trail Rankings #5 in Winom-Frazier OHV Complex #2,046 in Oregon #49,140 Overall. Know your limits! We started below the fog, went through it, then above it right at the base of the rock. Rock scrambling to get to top of Pilot Rock. Definitely some incline. Great hike! Pilot Rock's summit boasts a 360-degree view of Southern Oregon and Northern California with views of the Siskiyou Mountains, Trinity Alps, Cascades, Marble Mountains. (However, that is the route to the geocache if you are seeking it.) Go up, do not be lured out on to the wide ledge running south like I was! I wouldn’t do it without at least an suv as the rocks are pretty jagged the last 2 miles. COYNER TRAIL ... via the Larkspur Trail. 5 Views Last Month 15 … At 25.6 million years old, it is one of the oldest formations of the Cascade Range. This allows great views of Shasta with still slightly dicey exposure for a routine hike, but definitely worth doing if you are careful. ... rustic campsites and trails, public parks, playgrounds, streetscapes, schools, pools, businesses ... anywhere people spend time outside. The best hike near Pilot Rock is Spring Mountain Trailhead via NFS Road 3109, a 2.8 mile oneway in Umatilla National Forest. It begins at the Mount Pisgah Parking Area and descends 3,681 feet to Bent Creek near NC 191. From Pilot Rock, the route uses about 50 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail before continuing into northern California, climbing the upper reaches of the Siskiyou Mountains along several rocky summits. The new trail will take you to the base of Pilot Rock where there are fine views to the south, west, and northwest. Please. From here, the trail climbs steeply to the base of Pilot Rock. Oregon's last known grizzly bear was shot near Pilot Rock in 1891. Brochures and Maps mdi-file-pdf-box Nature Trail and Interpretive Guide This is home to some of Southern Oregon’s best scrambling and … Explore the best trails in Pilot Rock, Oregon on TrailLink. The signs on the trail are pretty clear, but they'll soon direct you to turn left onto the Pacific Crest Trail, then right to head up to Pilot Rock. This trail is easy enough for a group of beginners with a nice challenge at the end for the adventurers. It is definitely doable for most people that aren’t squeamish. This page has been accessed 22,572 times. Drive one more mile and park in a former quarry on the right side of the road. The population was 1,532 at the 2000 census. Scramble up and through two narrow notches. The peak is easily spotted … A Midwestern family decides to pack up their belongings and head west to Oregon, where they hear land is free for the taking. Easy to see and well marked. Doesn’t feel like it’s only 800ft elevation feels like more but amazing view. Pilot Rock Trail . Recommend doing the hike with a buddy to help find hand and footholds in a couple tricky spots (safety), ideally someone who has made the trek up the rock before. Best view in southern Oregon. Added by Dan Loch. To scramble to the top of the rock takes a bit of rock climbing and is not great for those who are scared of heights. Your FREE account works with all Adventure Projects sites . loose rock, pretty dangerous. 144 N. Alder Place | P.O. Then I’d say it’s a moderate / easy. Climbing to the top of Pilot Rock can be dangerous Pilot Rock has a bench for you and your space. This is a Class 3–4 rock climb, and should only be attempted during dry conditions. Pilot Rock, a striking landscape feature of the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument serves as a beacon to some five million vehicles that travel I-5 annually. I tried the right route but ran into the same problem. Only do it if the rock is totally dry. Weather Underground provides local & long-range weather forecasts, weatherreports, maps & tropical weather conditions for the Pilot Rock area. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from May until October. Good hike. Last stretch between the cracks are ice sheets and extremely slippery. Make sure you keep right on the way out. I … This hike was beautiful. Shoutout to the trail workers! This is a columnar basalt volcanic core that has had its outer covering eroded away over the eons much like the much larger and better-known Devils Tower in Wyoming. I would recommend at least having another person if you plan to climb to the top. As you ascend, you may notice remnants of old and eroding use trails. Beautiful views with wind to invigorate on top too!! And the view.... WOW. Save Add Review Get Directions Add Photo. Rising thousands of feet above the Shasta and Rogue valleys, it is a landmark distinguishable from over 40 miles away. This 2.8-mile out-and-back hike leads to one of Southern Oregon’s most dramatic — and photographed — points along the PCT, an ancient volcanic plug that soars 570 feet above the surrounding Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument. Nice progressive uphill... Got my heart rate going once the switchbacks started, mostly shaded until you get to the chimney part. 5.0. Second mile is steep switchbacks, rocky and chossy at the top. The pilot rock itself was a amazing monolith that made the hike worthwhile . Pilot Rock, Oregon Named for a large bluff of basalt near the community. Do not try the scramble unless you have a lot of climbing experience! But scrambling ability, care, and dexterity are required. The trail intersects the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) after about 0.9 miles. Couldn’t be a bigger bang for your buck. The rock is protected by the … Views of Shasta at the very top are awesome though. The name comes from the fact that this prominent landmark once guided gold miners, trappers, and pioneers toward a pass in the Siskiyou Mountains. Advice shared with us was to follow the crevice/crack up (not to go right, even though it will look good...turns into a drop off). If you want to do it, bring a buddy and good scrambling shoes. Views at the top are unparalleled. It is part of the PendletonHermiston Micropolitan Statistical Area. 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