After a couple of awesome days exploring the Oregon Cascades, I was on the lookout for an easier hike within an hour or so of the Bend area. What I found was a loop connecting Cone Peak and Iron Mountain.
Beginning just off the highway, this trail climbs steeply through thick pine forests before crossing open ridgelines with sweeping views in almost all directions. You’ll have the opportunity to summit both Cone Peak and Iron Mountain, and while this one is steep in spots, the views are great, the trail quality is excellent, and the nature is all around stunning!
Miles/Elevation:
6.9 miles
1,877 feet vertical gain
About Willamette National Forest:
In the central part of Oregon’s Cascade Mountains, Willamette National Forest protects more than 1.6 million acres of forests, mountain peaks, and rivers. Named for the Willamette River, this forest includes the Willamette Headwaters, as well as several other National Wild and Scenic Rivers.
Laying largely on the western slope of the Cascades, the forest protects massive stretches of pine forest. The state tree of Oregon, the Douglas-fir, is estimated to have nearly 600,000 acres of old growth in Willamette. Douglas-fir are very valuable in the logging industry, and logging and environmentalism have famously come into conflict here. The Northern Spotted Owl is an endangered owl species native to the area, and logging here has threatened the bird. Logging today happens alongside the owls, but there is still controversy around the subject.
Willamette today may be most well known for its outdoor recreation. The area receives massive snowfall totals, up to 150 inches per year, and winter sports here are very popular. The forest is also a haven for hikers and backpackers who can enjoy the forest’s 380,000 acres of designated wilderness, massive peaks like Mt Jefferson and Mt Washington, and over 375 lakes.
Getting To The Trailhead:
From the east, including Bend, head west on Highway 20. Follow Highway 20 into the mountains until reaching Tombstone Pass. The trailhead is on the left at Tombstone Pass at the beginning of the Santiam Wagon Road.
From the west, get onto Highway 20. This may include a stint on I-5. Once on 20, follow it to Tombstone Pass and park on the right in the Cone Peak Trailhead at the beginning of the Santiam Wagon Road.
Tips:
- Hike in mid-July for peak flowers.
- Hike counter-clockwise to finish with Iron Mountain (though either direction would be fine).
- To summit Cone Peak, you’ll have an off trail bushwhack to the summit.
The Cone Peak Loop:
The Opening Climb:
Help keep nature pristine. Follow Leave No Trace!
While you could hike this loop clockwise, I decided to go counter-clockwise. This would break up the climbing a bit more so I wasn’t going straight up for nearly 1,500 feet to start the day, but if you’re feeling good clockwise would be fine!
The direction I went started with a very quick descent down off the forest road into the trees. After a very brief descent, I passed a secluded meadow down below the highway. It’s very pretty here, but there are better views to come! Keep going, and you’ll reenter the forest and quickly reach the road. Cross the road to continue the ascent!
Once across the road, the climbing really kicks in! It’s really not too steep, and over the course of the next 2 miles or so you’ll only gain about 800 feet. 400 feet per mile really isn’t that much, but it is a consistent climb. Not much for breaks!
The trail quality is really good, and the grade is very consistent, so it’s honestly not a very difficult climb. The biggest challenge honestly might be staying motivated. Until you basically reach the top, you will have essentially nothing for views. The Cascade forest is dense and dark, so there isn’t much to look at. Before long though, you’ll reach the top!
Across The Ridges:
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The first indications that you’re nearing the top of the climb are meadows which break up the forest. When I hiked here in mid-July, the wildflowers were absolutely stunning up here in these meadows, and honestly I think I was here just about at the perfect time!
When you reach the top, you’ll enter the best of the meadows thus far, and you’ll be just below the summit pyramid of Cone Peak! The flowers were amazing this time of year, and Cone Peak loomed just above.
This is bear country so make sure you’re bear safe!
Cone Peak would be a pretty easy summit to reach from the trail, but there is not a maintained trail to the summit. You would have a 600 or 700 foot climb cross country straight up the slope, and while the bushwhacking wouldn’t be too bad, I didn’t really feel like fighting my way through the weeds! I was coming off a pair of fairly long days on the trail, and I had more hiking the following day, so I didn’t feel like pushing myself for a relatively obscure summit!
Once you’re below Cone Peak, the hiking is pretty awesome as you follow the ridges between Cone Peak and Iron Mountain. You will though have undulation to deal with on the way. After reaching the top of the first climb, you’ll descend 300 feet, then climb 300, then descend 150! It’s a bit obnoxious, but those are pretty small inclines and declines in the grand scheme of things!
Always follow basic trail etiquette when you’re hiking!
On the way, the trail alternates between dense forest and open meadows. The forests are pretty, and the shade is nice as opposed to the hot summer sun, but all of the views are in the meadows! Looking north, you’ll be able to see all the way, or nearly all the way, to Mt Jefferson and Mt Hood. The looks to the south will come later!
To Iron Mountain:
After about a mile and a half up on the ridges, you’ll reach the base of the final ascent up to Iron Mountain. You’ll also likely encounter some fresh traffic here. There is a road that nearly reaches the base of the Iron Mountain summit trail, but what’s the fun in driving that far!
The trail up to Iron Mountain is definitely the toughest of the day. You’re looking at a 600 foot climb up to the summit over the course of about ¾’s of a mile. This isn’t the steepest trail I’ve ever been on, but it certainly isn’t flat!
Definitely check out No Name Lake outside Bend!
The trail is filled with many tight switchbacks and largely passes through grassy meadows on the steep sides of the mountain. The trail quality is good, but it’ll get your heart beating!
The summit of Iron Mountain is covered in a really nice observation deck. There was a fire lookout here for many years, and the remnants of the lookout were used to create this platform!
The views from the summit are absolutely stunning! To the north, the ice covered volcanoes Mt Jefferson and Mt Hood are the most impressive landmarks. They were both visible on the clear day I hiked, but Hood especially would probably be obscured in less than ideal weather.
The Green Lakes, Soda Creek Loop is another great hike outside Bend!
To the south and southeast, the highlights are Mt Washington and the Three Sisters. Mt Washington is a sharp stone needle that is a stunning mountain, and the Sisters are a trio of (mostly) snow-covered volcanoes. Between all of the high peaks are bucolic green hills and ridges. It’s a beautiful perch!
Finish The Loop:
After relaxing on the summit for a while, it was time to hike down and complete the loop. Follow the trail back down Iron Mountain to the intersection, and then rather than taking a right to go back the way you came, go left for a more direct return.
While you could do this as an out and back, I think it’s best as a loop. Continuing on the loop, you’ll have a moderate but consistent descent back down to the highway. The trail travels through dense forest, and it’s not dissimilar from the first climb of the day.
After about ¾’s of a mile you’ll be back down to the highway. Cross the highway, and then continue back into the woods. There is a very slight descent after crossing the road, followed by a small incline right before reaching the parking lot. After a quick half a mile or so, you’ll be back at your car and done with the hike!
Topdown Lifestyle Rating: 9/10
For a 6 mile hike, this is pretty excellent. The views are really nice along the ridges and on the summit. Overall, the trail quality is excellent. You get to access a pretty cool summit too!
However, is this trail as good as it gets for 6 mile hikes? Honestly the answer is no. There are better 6 mile hikes, not many, but for that reason I have to give this trail a 9/10. It’s really good though!
Pros:
- Great views
- Excellent trail quality
- Cool summit
Cons:
- Densely forested sections
- Steep at times
Alternative Hikes:
Santiam Wagon Road to House Rock
When To Hike The Cone Peak Loop:
The hardest limit on hiking in the Cascades is snow. This mountain range receives massive quantities of snow each winter, and this snow limits the hiking season at high elevations. If you are ok with snowshoes, microspikes, crampons, or other snow gear, you can go pretty much whenever you want!
If you prefer not to hike in the snow, then the season is roughly June through September. Expect at least some trace remains of snow through the first half of June (possibly into late June), and be ready for early snowstorms in September. The absolute ideal time to hike here is mid-July to see peak wildflowers, which there can be a lot of!
Links For Further Reading:
Cone Peak Trail | Map, Guide – Oregon | AllTrails
Cone Peak : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost
Willamette National Forest – Cone Peak Trail #3408
Cone Peak-Iron Mountain Loop Hike – Hiking in Portland, Oregon and Washington
