Bear Butte…
Since the first time seeing this formation in 2011, I’ve wanted to go and explore. After one failed attempt, I thought I’d give it another try. In 2018 I attempted to reach Bear Butte from the east, via the Jefferson Lake TH and a Hellish lava flow crossing with a brutal climb up to the ridge just east of Bear Butte…only to run out of time. I swore I’d never do that route again…NEVER!
Three years later we planned a three-day backpack which included a day trip to Bear Butte. We left the Bingham Ridge trailhead mid-morning and arrived at the top of the south Table and set up camp. With beautiful views of Cathedral Rocks and Mount Jefferson, this camp spot was perfect…except for the mosquitoes…swarms with no breeze. This is how bad they were…100% deet would only deter them for just about an hour.
Got an early start the next morning for our cross-country route to Bear Butte, stopping at Table Lake for water. We were able to find the overgrown trail that leads to the saddle from Table Lake, then jumped on the ridge west of Bear Butte. For the last 10-years I’ve been wondering what Bear Butte looked like up close…well I finally now know. As ugly as it is, it’s still a beautiful formation. The summit block is only about 20’-25’ tall. I won’t say that it is un-climbable, as I’m sure there’s someone crazy enough to, but not me, I’m ok with letting this one go. We took a fun way back to camp giving us a nice loop trip for the day.
The next morning, we packed up and set off back to the trailhead, stopping at our favorite swimming hole, Rock Lake. After a refreshing swim we continued down the dusty Bingham Ridge trail. Actually, we did the more direct route, but did see the trail through the burn.
Another fun adventure with the love of my life, and best adventure partner, Deb.
My first sight of Bear Butte in 2011 while exploring Cathedral Rocks…
The new deal…
Cross-Country along Bingham Ridge…
Through the old burn with bear grass ground cover…
Near the PCT trail junction, first look at the west side of Cathedral Rocks and Goat Peak…
First grand view of Mount Jefferson…
Uh-Oh…looks like a rescue mission…
Water stop before heading up on The Table…
Camp set up on the south Table with Forked Butte in the distance…
Up on the south Table with a grand view of Mount Jefferson (South Side)
Table Lake below…
An ice cold pond feeding Table Lake.
Filled up our water bottle here before heading to Bear Butte…
Approaching the saddle through the burn…
Now the huff up the ridge to Bear Butte…
Hole in the Wall Park down below, Goat Peak center, and Mount Jefferson right…
Next day…still searching…
“What’s all the racket?”
Nearing the small summit block of Bear Butte…
Whoa! The moment I realize…I’m not tagging the top of this summit.
The other side’s not much better…
Deb on her way up…
This is as close to the top as I need to get…
Looking south from Bear Butte at Jefferson Lake below and the lava flow that flows almost to the Metolius River…
Back at the ridge saddle…
On the lower north Table…more trees and not as open as the south Table.
Back on the south Table…
Nearing camp…
Eastern side of Cathedral Rocks.
Last night at camp…you have no idea how bad the mosquitoes were!
Next morning, leaving camp…
Another water stop to get us back to the trailhead…Ice cold!
Last look at Bear Butte in the far distance.
Last look at Jefferson…
Rock Lake, our favorite swimming hole…
The dusty trail back to the trailhead.
Our weekend’s route..
Cool trip. Never made it to that area. I can recall though when you would have scrambled that summit without a second thought though! 🙂
Perhaps…