Patjens Lakes Loop Trail is a Moderate Hike in the Mt. Washington Wilderness

For those who are looking for a Bear grass hike in Central Oregon, Patjens Lakes Loop Trail is hard to beat the end of June 2025. When hikers leave Hwy 20 to drive to the paved trailhead near the end of Big Lake Road, blooming Bear grass can be seen on each side of the road, a great indicator that the hike has a significant amount of it seen during the trek. Patjens Lakes Loop Trail runs adjacent to Big Lake at Santiam Pass before it leaves the lake to run south into the Mt. Washington Wilderness where it skirts the 4 small Patjens Lakes before returning to the starting point next to Big Lake. There are still signs of the B & B complex fire of 2003 which burned over 90,000 acres in the Mt Washington and Mt Jefferson Wildernesses, running along the crest of the Cascades. However devastating the fire was to the area, the burned areas provided more growing areas to sun-loving plants, such as Bear grass.

Areas untouched by the fire retain the lush undergrowth and tall trees of most Western Oregon old growth forests, complete with shade-loving plants and many birds. The last two miles of the hike, however, are in the burned area. Part of the path climbs a ridge from which hikers have amazing views of the Three Sisters, Black Crater, Hoodoo Ski Area, Three Fingered Jack and Mt. Washington. The slope of this ridge is covered with Bear grass and the Cascade views would not be evident had the area remained unburned.

The entire hike is under 7 miles with a little over 700 feet of elevation gain, considered by many a moderate route.

There Are Two Trailheads to Summit Black Butte

Many people will hike to the summit of Black Butte during the summer. It is an iconic volcano located just outside of Sisters next to Black Butte Resort which challenges both visitors and locals. Most people will take the gravel road which transitions into a terrible dirt road to the upper trailhead which is located 1500 feet below the summit. Hikers who start here will find a limited space parking area complete with facilities which require a current forest pass. Those who really want to challenge themselves can start at the base of Black Butte at the historic trail head located near Camp Sherman. The road to this trailhead is mostly paved until the turn off to the parking area so hikers avoid driving over challenging dirt roads before they start their trek. No parking pass but very limited parking available.

For those hiking the historic route, the trail gradually climbs as hikers pass through the old growth forest located at the base of Black Butte. In May, 2025, early signs of spring were evident with blooming wildflowers. After roughly 3/4 of a mile, the path steepens and hikers start climbing Black Butte. Peek-a-boo views of Black Butte Ranch, Suttle Lake, and the Cascades can be seen through the tall Ponderosa Pines.

After 3 miles the Historic Black Butte Trail reaches the upper trailhead and the last two mile of the hike is along this route. At the top of Black Butte in the middle of May, 2025, snow patches remained which were easily crossed. The top of the Butte was relatively snow free with all structures still locked and inaccessible to early visitors.

Hikers can enjoy the top of Black Butte with amazing Cascade Views. On a clear day, as many as 13 peaks can be seen from Mt. Bachelor in the south all the way to Mt. Adams in Washington to the north. After spending time at the summit, hikers need to descend back to the trail head in Camp Sherman. All in all, the historic Black Butte Trail is over 10 miles with 3400 feet of elevation gain in the ascending 5 miles.

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Lava Butte is Located Just South of Bend

Lava Butte is part of the Lava Lands Visitor Center which is the interpretive hub for Newberry Volcanic National Monument. Located just south of Bend on the west side of Highway 97, the Visitor Center is closed from the middle of October through the beginning of May. However, the parking lot remains open year round (snow permitting) for people who hike the 5.5 mile Sun-Lava paved path over the lava fields or hike the 3.3 mile round trip up Lava Butte. The road up Lava Butte is traveled by a shuttle during the summer, but during the off season a gated fence stops vehicles from making the trip. However, hikers and bicyclists can access the butte through a person gate in the fence and enjoy the trek up the butte and views from the top.

Those who walk the 1/4 mile around Lava Butte's rim can read a lot about the geology of the area in the interpretive signs. Newberry Crater is the largest volcano in the Cascade Volcanic Arc, with an area of 1,200 square miles when its lava flows are taken into account; this area is larger than the state of Delaware. From north to south, the volcano has a length of 75 miles, with a width of 27 miles and a total volume of approximately 120 cubic miles. Over 400 lava buttes are part of the volcano, Lava Butte being one of them. From the top of the butte, many other cinder cones are visible, among the most popular for Bend residents is Pilot Butte located within the city limits.

Although not a long hike, the trek up Lava Butte provides for almost 600 feet in elevation gain along a paved road. For those who want more, there are many additional hikes in Newberry Volcanic National Monument which become available late spring/early summer.

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