(541) 350-1308
Sign Up Login

Posts with tag 'Places to See in Central Oregon'

Tara & Kyle Wieche Blog

Subscribe and receive email notifications of new blog posts.




rss logo RSS Feed
July
11

Browder Ridge Has Outstanding Cascade and Wildflower Views

The little known Browder Ridge hike is an alternative to the well known Iron Mountain hike many take during wildflower season. Iron Mountain is located off Hwy 20 near Tombstone Summit. The easiest access to Browder Ridge Trail is near the Iron Mountain trailhead a few miles up paved forest service road 15.

The first few miles of the hike are in forested old growth with a lot of shade; ferns, rhododendrons, and various shade-loving ground cover plants are evident in this section of the hike.
Browder Ridge Browder Ridge
Once hikers leave the woods, they can be surprised to find themselves in a sloped hillside filled with acres and acres of ferns and wildflowers, many of which exceed 3 to 4 feet. The path winds it way up this hillside, with sections of it in wooded shaded areas, and then switchbacks out into the sun. The vegetation varies based on the sun exposure and retention of moisture. There are sections of the hillside with lush, full wildflowers and others with varieties which thrive in drier conditions. As the elevation gains continue, views towards the Three Sisters and Mt. Jefferson become evident, along with drier, rockier soil and the plants which thrive there. The top of Browder Ridge provides for the most stunning views of the mountains. There is also a side hike of roughly 3/4 of a mile down the other side of the ridge towards Heart Lake which was snow covered on July 6, 2024.
Browder Ridge Browder Ridge
The hike on July 6, 2024 was beautiful, but the day was very hot. During the return trip some of the wildflowers which were so stunning in the morning were starting to wilt. If the weather remains as dry as it is, the wildflowers will dry out as well.  All in all, the hike to Browder Ridge with the views of Mt. Jefferson was an out and back over 11 miles and 2500 feet of elevation gain and it can be stunning when the wildflowers are blooming.
Browder Ridge Browder Ridge
Browder Ridge Browder Ridge
Browder Ridge Browder Ridge
July
11

What's in the July 2024 Bend Premier Newsletter?

  • Bend Home Prices Up As Are Inventory Levels
  • Filipino BBQ Pork Skewers
  • 9 Tips to Keep Your Home Cool Without AC
  • Maxwell Butte Trail
  • Things to Avoid After Applying For a Mortgage
July
7

Maxwell Butte is a 10 Mile Hike in the Willamette National Forest

The 4th of July 2024 was a clear and beautiful day to hike in the forests of Oregon's Cascades. Despite a few mosquitoes in the early hours of the hike, the well marked trail to the top of Maxwell Butte was cleared of fallen trees and only had a few snow patches once the trek up the butte itself began. However, the walk through the woods was lovely with many shade-loving wildflowers blooming and no one else seen.

Maxwell Butte Trailhead Maxwell Butte
Maxwell Butte Maxwell Butte

After passing small Twin Lakes and the junction with the Lava Lakes Trail, the hike passes through more woods and open areas until the final push up Maxwell Butte starts. The trail steepens and switchbacks and as hikers gain elevation, the views towards North and Middle Sister, The Husband, the Wife and then Broken Top become visible. The topography of Hogg Rock, Hoodoo and Hayrick Butte become very evident as hikers climb. However, it isn't until the peak of Maxwell Butte is reached before the stunning views of Three Fingered Jack become seen. Three Fingered Jack's western flank fills the view from the top of Maxwell Butte. Turning slightly west, the views toward Mt. Jefferson, Mt. Hood and the multitude of small and larger lakes in this section of the Willamette National Forest and Jefferson Wilderness were obvious, as were the results of many fires experienced in Central Oregon over the past few years. All in all, the hike to the top of Maxwell Butte is slightly over 10 miles with 2500 feet of elevation gain.

Maxwell Butte Maxwell Butte
Maxwell Butte Maxwell Butte
July
3

Iron Mountain and the Cone Peak Trail are probably one of the best hikes for wildflowers in Central Oregon. Each year many Oregonians will hike to the top of Iron Mountain, or take the full Cone Peak loop to enjoy the flowers.  Experts state that most of Oregon's 300 + wildflower species can be located near Iron Mountain as well as over 17 species of trees. For those starting at the Tombstone parking lot, the entire hike exceeds 1900 feet of elevation gain in seven miles. The time of the hike will probably depend on how often hikers stop to check out the flowers and views, but most can complete the full loop, including the side hike up and back to the top of Iron Mountain, within 4 hours. The mountain was especially beautiful the end of June, 2024.

Iron Mountain Iron Mountain
Iron Mountain Iron Mountain
Iron Mountain Iron Mountain
Iron Mountain Iron Mountain
Iron Mountain Iron Mountain
June
24

The Hike to Tumalo Mountain Still Has Snow 6-22-24

After a winter which had good snowfall, hiking into the high Cascades has been delayed due to the snow accumulation. However, the warm days experienced over the past week have aided snow melt.  Last Saturday, June 22, 2024, enough snow had melted on Tumalo Mountain to enable hikers to walk the 1450 feet of elevation gain in two miles from the trailhead to the top. It appeared as if half the time the trail was covered by snow, but it was fairly easy to follow the route until the last 1/2 mile; GPS helped navigate this as did microspikes over ice.

The hike up Tumalo Mountain is only 2 miles, but the views from the top toward South and Middle Sister, Broken Top, and Mt Bachelor can be spectacular. For those who take the hike early in the day, often the only people at the top are those in your group. Tumalo Mountain is a great way to begin the summer hiking in the Cascades.

Tumalo Mountain Tumalo Mountain
Tumalo Mountain Tumalo Mountain
⇦ Newer PostsOlder Posts ⇨
Disclaimer: All information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. All properties are subject to prior sale, change or withdrawal. Neither listing broker(s) or information provider(s) shall be responsible for any typographical errors, misinformation, misprints and shall be held totally harmless. Listing(s) information is provided for consumers personal, non-commercial use and may not be used for any purpose other than to identify prospective properties consumers may be interested in purchasing. Information on this site was last updated 04/12/2026. The listing information on this page last changed on 04/12/2026. The data relating to real estate for sale on this website comes in part from the Internet Data Exchange program of Delta Media Group MLS (last updated Sun 04/12/2026 12:00:27 AM EST) or RMLS (last updated Sat 04/11/2026 11:58:22 PM EST) or COAR/MLSCO (last updated Sat 04/11/2026 11:51:23 PM EST). Real estate listings held by brokerage firms other than Bend Premier Real Estate may be marked with the Internet Data Exchange logo and detailed information about those properties will include the name of the listing broker(s) when required by the MLS. All rights reserved.
Privacy Policy / DMCA Notice / ADA Accessibility

Login to My Homefinder

Pixel