Name: Horse Rock hike
Start: 2025-05-07T09:30:00-07:00
End: 2025-05-07T09:30:00-07:00

Past Activity

Horse Rock hike

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Start date: 05/07/2025
Start time: 9:30 AM

Description:

This is a gem of a hike - in the Coburg Hills with some early wildflowers. The first section is through the woods, but then it opens up to beautiful meadows and rock formations. There's even a small cave... and poison oak (wear long pants). On a clear day, there are views of the Cascades and unfortunately, nearby clear cuts. There is one short, but steep descent; poles might be handy. Suggested donation to the drivers: $7.26

Photo by: Gwyneth Iredale

Event Leader: Lana Lindstrom
Event Leader Phone: 541-683-1409
Event Leader Email: lana_lindstrom@hotmail.com
Assistant Leader:
Event category: Trips
Area Type: Foothills
Departure Location: Amazon Park, 28th & Hilyard entrance parking lot
Rating: Easy
Roundtrip total drive miles: 66 miles
Season: 2025
Permits Required:
Event Status: Passed
Supplies and Equipment Required: Poles, lunch, water, 10 essentials
participant prerequisites:
Conditions:
Total Distance: 4.3 trail miles
Member Fees: —
Elevation Gain: 400'
Non-Member Fees: 5
Committee: Trips
Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

The Horse Rock Ridge is on BLM property and is an Area of Critical Environmental Concern and a Research Natural Area. The geologic features are a result of lava flows which occurred 24 million years ago, one of which created a dike as molten rock rose up through a large crack. The soil is very shallow due to steep and eroding slopes, so the plants have to cling tightly. We had a very dry April; as a result, the flowers weren\'t as profuse as they usually are. However, there was still plenty of varieties to admire, starting with calypso alley through the woods (more than we\'ve ever seen before), penstemon, paintbrush, trilliums, fawn lilies, rosy plectritis, wind flowers, monkey flowers, and several others. Thanks to Karen and Peter for identifying them! Many folks climbed up to the cave and sat on it for lunch; others stayed below and enjoyed the views of the Cascade mountains - Jefferson, 3 Sisters, Bachelor, and Diamond Peak.

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