Calendar

Past Activity

Browder Ridge

  • Start date: 06/03/2019

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 06/03/2019

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

We will go up the Gate Creek Trail to the viewpoint at 4800' with views of Three FingerJack, Mt. Washington, and the Three Sisters. Then continue along the ridge by a less well maintained path and a short cross country meadow route to reach the summit, where we shall lunch with a 360-degree view that encompasses Mt. Jefferson, the South Santiam Canyon, and the entire route of the hike.
Wild flowers should be abundant. This is a good one.

  • Event Leader: Ben Brown

  • Event Leader Phone: 214-930-6394

  • Event Leader Email: benjmbrown@gmail.com

  • Assistant Leader:

  • Event category: Trips

  • Area Type: Mountain

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

  • Rating: Moderate

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 158

  • Season: 2019

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: 10 essentials, sunscreen, bug repellant, good hat, layered clothing, lunch and water

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 8.4

  • Member Fees: 1

  • Elevation Gain: 2200

  • Non-Member Fees: 5

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

The hike begins with a somewhat steep ascent with switchbacks, and then continues upward to a splendid viewpoint at approx. 1.5 miles. The cut off to Heart Lake Trail leads to a relatively easy scramble to the top of the ridge. The beautiful, clear day provided spectacular views all the way from Diamond Peak to Mt, Hood. Nice variety of wildflowers above 5200' including paintbrush, cat's ears, and phlox.
There were still fairly significant patches of snow which caused us to momentarily lose the trail both on the ascent and descent. Many thanks to Steve Johnson for keeping us on track.
This trail is an excellent alternative to the more popular Iron Mt. trail. We did not encounter a single person. It could also be classified as difficult as opposed to moderate due to the elevation gain. The 4.2 mile trip up the ridge took about 2 hours and 20 minutes.
Our group of fine hikers included Janet Whiteside, Daphne James, Patty Morrow, Steven Johnson, Marguerite Cooney, Heidi Zola, Tom Rundle, Sharon Bruns, Steve Adey, Jean Harris, and Randy Sinnott. A most pleasant group of folks.