Despite the name, Mount Misery trail offers a delightful hike to the Oregon Butte Lookout, situated on a hilltop in the remote Blue Mountains.
Follow the Mount Misery trail to Oregon Butte, staying up on mostly open 5,000 - 6,000 foot ridges, enjoying panoramic views of the Blue Mountains. In spring, this hike is a great one for wildflower meadows dotted with scarlet gilia, dutchman's breeches, calypso orchid, sulphur lupine, giant-head clover, elkhorn clarkia, and more. In autumn, the changing of the seasons brings Roosevelt elk to the area.
As you climb, water is limited to scattered springs, snowpatches and a few small seasonal creeks -- so plan carefully and bring water along. The best water source is the Oregon Butte Spring, which is just below the lookout. Signs are missing or hard to find and trails get faint in places so a good map is crucial as well.
Mount Misery
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Length
- 16.0 miles, roundtrip
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Elevation Gain
- 1,000 feet
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Highest Point
- 6,401 feet
Hiking Mount Misery
Mount Misery