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Past Activity

Cone Peak to Echo Mt. and North Peak

  • Start date: 07/09/2017

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 07/09/2017

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

The majority of this hike is exploratory! There is a net gain of 1670 ft., but the total elevation gain will be over 2000 ft due to the undulations of the ridge we will be exploring. The hike begins at the Tombstone Pass trailhead. We will take the Cone Peak/Iron Mt. trail to the meadows on Cone Peak's flank where we leave the trail behind and hike cross-country to Cone Peak's summit. From here we will follow the ridge easterly to explore South Peak, Echo Mountain & North Peak (as time and energy allows). This ridge is exposed: bring your sunscreen, hat, and a minimum of 2 liters of water!

  • Event Leader: Kathy Randall

  • Event Leader Phone: 541-844-5916

  • Event Leader Email: katran23@comcast.net

  • Assistant Leader:

  • Event category: Trips

  • Area Type: Mountain

  • Departure Location: Behind McDonalds, 57th and Main in Springfield

  • Rating: Difficult

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 172

  • Season: 2017

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: Sturdy boots!--majority of this hike is off-trail. Sunscreen, hat, camera, lunch, & plenty of water (2+liters). Rain gear depending on forecast! Wildflower book/app could be useful.

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 9.6

  • Member Fees: 1

  • Elevation Gain: 2076

  • Non-Member Fees: 5

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

The initial hike to Cone Peak was uneventful. The higher we got--especially once we left the established trail--the more spectacular the flower displays became. This was an 'exploratory' hike in the truest sense of the word! Only a couple of us had ever summited Cone Peak before. After a leisurely lunch taking in the 360 degree views it was time to "go where no Obsidian had gone before"--out the ridge toward South Peak and Echo Peak. Here's what we now know: 1) If you want to explore the ridge, save your time and energy and skip summiting Cone Peak for a separate day. 2) The flank of Cone Peak is very difficult to traverse as it is hard, crumbly lava rock up high and down lower it is lush meadows with deep holes and thick brush. 3) Once we successfully descended to the SE ridge we picked up a decent elk/deer trail that was reasonably easy to follow to South Peak. 4) You are rewarded with nice views from summit of South Peak (& Cascade Lilies). The north and east sides of South Peak are heavily forested and steep making further exploration out the ridgeline and access to Echo Mtn from this approach questionable (and would require at least 2 more hours). 5) One trekking pole and one free hand might be best option. 6)This outing is not for the 'faint of heart'!

That being said, upon reaching the safety of our vehicles back at the parking lot, each and every one of us were enthusiastically declaring how much we enjoyed the hike, the views, the flowers, and the true adventure of it all!