Olallie Mountain

Mars, full moons and mosquitoes are all on tap for the Three Sisters this August

There are terrific views, tons of wildflowers, and endless blues skies to be had every summer in the Three Sisters Wilderness.  This August offers the usual attractions and more on a relatively easy 7-mile round trip to the top of Olallie Mountain—one of the classic day hikes to be had in the 300,000 acre wilderness area. 

The drive requires a fair amount of time on gravel roads.  To get there, take Hwy. 105 east from Springfield for approximately 45 miles.  Between mileposts 45 and 46, turn right onto Forest Service Road 19. Follow this windy two lane paved road for 3-4 miles and turn left across Cougar dam. Stay on FS Road 1993, staying on the main road at all junctions.  In 15.5 miles you’ll find the well-marked Pat Saddle Trailhead with plenty of parking on the right. 

There are two trailheads in this parking lot.  You want the Olallie Mountain trail.  The trail climbs gently through a forest of nice old fir.  In a half mile, you’ll cross Mosquito Creek (there’s a lake that can be reached with a quarter-mile bushwhack upstream).  There are no mosquitoes here—they’ve followed the trail to the top of the mountain by August. 

Two miles from the trailhead, you'll encounter a trail junction.  Continuing straight for a mile will take you to what used to be Olallie Meadows—now overgrown with fir.  Take the right turn for Olallie Mountain. You'll climb steeply for a mile and a half to the top of the 5,700-foot peak past meadows of waist-high bear grass flowers, along with pink Cascade lilies, columbine, paintbrush and lupine.  There's a lookout structure at the top, usually boarded up to prevent vandalism.

An overnight trip to Olallie Mountain is definitely in order this August, when Mars will appear as large as a new Wallmart supercenter (to hear the internet talk).

There's a full moon on August 19.

Oh yeah, there’s also spectacular views of the Three Sisters, Diamond Peak, Mt. Jefferson and several other snow capped peaks. 

The scenery is spectacular enough that you probably won’t notice the mosquitos.... until about 5 PM.