Calendar

Past Activity

Crescent Mountain

  • Start date: 06/30/2018

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 06/30/2018

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

This is one of my favorite hikes. After a gradual 100' descent to pretty Maude Creek in the first 1.3 miles, the trail climbs steeply at 700-800'/mile for the next two miles and traverses huge open meadows which should have plenty of wildflowers. There is another significant, but shorter climb through a wooded area near the summit, where there are remains from a lookout tower. After Maude Creek, there is no water. From the summit, one can see the Pyramids, Cone Peak, and there is a nice view of the High Cascades. We will return the way we came.

  • Event Leader: Mike Smith

  • Event Leader Phone: 520-488-9569

  • Event Leader Email: mssq@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: 150

  • Season: 2018

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: The usual. Plenty of water, sunscreen, bug dope probably not a bad idea, long sleeved shirts and a good hat are useful. Gaiters probably aren't needed. Be prepared for blowdowns and getting over/under/around them.

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 10

  • Member Fees: 1

  • Elevation Gain: 2200

  • Non-Member Fees: 5

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

Despite my error of forgetting to put a limit on the number of people hiking, everything went well on a somewhat crowded Crescent Mountain. For the first time, I saw mountain bikes, at least nine, and the trail to the north off the summit was cleared, suggesting to me that this mountain has been "discovered." Our 14 from Eugene and one from Salem got to the top before noon and had a pleasant stay with bright sunshine and views from Mt. Adams (perhaps) all the way to Diamond Peak. I identified 34 different species of wildflowers, and the bright colors of the penstemons, Phlox, Gilia, Larkspur, Queen's Cup, and the ubiquitous Bunchberry were most enjoyable. We left the summit after a long stay, passing through the wildflowers in the upper meadows to the much cooler forests below to Maude Creek, then back uphill to the trailhead.