By Mariah Cannon

If you’re wanting to check of some epic summits this hiking season, but maybe don’t have the time or want to do anything super crazy, I’ve got some peaks for you to check out.

In this blog, I’m giving you some epic easier peaks all throughout Oregon. This perfectly curated list of peaks will bring all your Summer hiking dreams to life regardless of what level of hiking you’re at!

I also want to mention that a hike doesn’t necessarily have to be 10+ miles with an insane amount of elevation gain. If you’re outside and you need some hiking shoes and water, that’s a hike! I’ve been on some trails that are only literally a quarter of a mile long, but I still count it!

1. Canyon Creek Meadows (Three Fingered Jack)

While you shouldn’t summit any of Jack’s fingers without proper gear and training, you can get almost all the way up and still have an epic time! This trail is a bit longer in mileage and does have some elevation gain, but it’s not a super steep incline in most areas. On this trail, you’ll find mountain goats (the fluffy white ones!!), deer, bear, and cougars do roam the area. I’ve only ever seen bear and goats, but some friends of mine did this in June and had a cougar encounter. Just do your research and be prepared! The most common you’ll see is the mountain goats! They’re everywhere, bring some binoculars!

Distance: 7.4 miles round-trip

Elevation: 1,597 feet

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop

Difficulty: Moderate

Best time to visit: July-September; mid July will bring wildflowers and lots of mosquitoes and September brings stunning fall colors and cooler temps!

2. Sutton Mountain

A favorite trail of mine I like to do once a year or so. Located in the Painted Hills Unit of the John Day National Fossil Beds Monument lies an old access road now open to hikers that takes you up and through some of the desert badlands, opening up to a stunning view of the painted hills below. This mountain doesn’t have much of a “true” summit, rather you find a spot that looks good to you, making it super fun and easy for anyone. Sutton does have some elevation gain to it, but it is gradual and only has one section that really feels steep.

Finding this trail can sometimes be tricky, you’ll need to open and close a cattle gate to a small grass parking area. There is a red border collie that follows people who do the trail, you do not need to report him – he is a ranch dog and protects the livestock that roam throughout the trail area. He comes and goes as he wishes!

Distance: 7.2 miles round-trip

Elevation: 1,683 feet

Hike Type: Out & Back

Difficulty: Moderate

Best time to visit: Mid February-Late April to avoid heat and rattlesnakes.

3. Tom, Dick, and Harry Mountain

Truly one of the best bang for your buck hikes – starting through the dense Mt. Hood National Forest up to Mirror Lake before topping out and having one of the best views of Mt. Hood herself and the surrounding peaks & forest. Because of the views and the longer mileage, the elevation doesn’t feel like much, making it a more beginner friendly summit! There is a small rock field up when you first top out of the tree-line, I recommend bringing poles for stability navigating through them!

Distance: 8.2 miles round-trip

Elevation: 1,715 feet

Hike Type: Out & Back

Difficulty: Moderate

Best time to visit: July for wildflowers, but go early as by 10am the parking lot will be jam packed, even on weekdays.

4. Tom McCall Point

Closer to Portland and the Columbia River Gorge sits the Tom McCall Point trail that is definitely a popular one and for good reason! During the late Spring and early Summer months, you’ll find spectacular wildflower views and that’s the main reason this trail gets so much foot traffic. It’s a good one all season, but I highly suggest timing it when the lupine, balsam root, and Indian Paintbrush begin to bloom. This trail is short, but gains a little over 1,000 feet, however the incline is over before it even starts due to the length of the trail.

Distance: 4.8 miles round-trip

Elevation: 1,322 feet

Hike Type: Out & Back

Difficulty: Moderate

Best time to visit: Late May-Mid July for the best wildflowers.

5. Iron Mountain

This trail is absolutely epic! From sweeping views of all of the Cascade range to wildflowers and views of the Willamette valley, this trail offers something for everyone! There’s unique rock formations atop the mountain and lots of interpretive signage to go over the history of the area. They also built this viewing deck that I’m sitting on in the photo above which is a really awesome addition to any summit!

Distance: 3.5 miles round-trip

Elevation: 1,368 feet

Hike Type: Out & Back

Difficulty: Moderate

Best time to visit: Late June-Late July for peak wildflower season. It also depends on the year, so be sure to check the Pacific Northwest Wildflower Tracker before you plan your hike!

6. Memaloose Hills

I’ve mentioned this trail in my Best Wildflower Hikes blog this past Spring and will probably continue to because it’s just that good. You will most likely never see more Balsam Root (the yellow sea in the photo) in your life… I had read reviews that said it was epic, but I didn’t know it was epic! You’ll do a loop that goes up and over Marsh hill (to the East) and then Chatfield Hill (to the West) and both hills are covered in flowers. You should go clockwise to get this view of the South side of Chatfield Hill, which is the steepest point of the hike.

Distance: 3 miles round-trip

Elevation: 600 feet

Hike Type: Lollipop Loop

Difficulty: Easy

Best time to visit: Late March-Mid April for peak wildflowers.

7. Bessie Butte

Bessie Butte lies on South Eastern side of Bend and is a local favorite! It’s pretty short and doesn’t gain much elevation, but still gives you incredible views of the cascades. This trail is pretty dusty in the summer and has very little shade so it’s best to go early or in the Spring or Fall time. The summit is a big flat spot where you can relax a bit and take in the scenery. There is also an option to do another butte that is next door, Kelsey Butte if you want some more miles.

Distance: 1.4 miles round-trip

Elevation: 482 feet

Hike Type: Out & Back

Difficulty: Easy

Best Time to Visit: Mid April-Mid June for cooler temps, less foot traffic, and less dust.

8. Little Belknap Crater

This is probably one of my all time favorite hikes near Sisters, it sits out off of Highway 242 (McKenzie Scenic Byway) and you can actually spot it’s older sibling Belknap Crater when you’re driving to Sisters or out on the McKenzie. The trail winds through a forested area for about a mile, before turning into lava rock the rest of the way up, which I think, is really neat. Definitely bring hiking poles as it can be tricky to navigate on some of the odd shaped lava rock formations. The peak of little Belknap is a very cinder red section and a “flat top” with 360 degree views of the surrounding land and cascade mountain range.

Distance: 5.6 miles round-trip

Elevation: 1,177 feet

Hike Type: Out & Back

Difficulty: Moderate

Best Time to Visit: Mid June when the highway opens for the season and most of the snow has gone or September to catch some Fall colors of new growth popping through the old lava flow.

9. Carroll Rim Trail

East of Prineville tucked away in the Painted Hills Monument, is a short viewpoint hike that takes you up over some of the painted landscapes and above some ranching land to the North. If you stop at the Painted Hills, this is one that should definitely be done. There’s cool rock formations, epic coloring from the hills, and if you time it right – even some wildflowers.

Distance: 1.6 miles round-trip

Elevation: 374 feet

Hike Type: Out & Back

Difficulty: Easy

Best Time to Visit: Mid March-Mid June for wildflowers and cooler temps.

Enjoy this list of hikes? Be sure to Pin it for your next Oregon Adventure!

Let’s Get Adventuring!

Mariah