Spring Wildflowers and Magnificent Mountain Views on Gray Butte

The Gray Butte Trail winds through the juniper forest and sagebrush slopes of Gray Butte. Hikers will be rewarded with sights of spring wildflowers such as phlox, lupine and balsamroot. And, if the wildflowers are not enough, the views of the Crooked River National Grasslands below and the snow-capped Cascades will be spectacular. Perhaps you will even get a glimpse of Mt. Hood! Charmane Powers, a botanist on the Deschutes National Forest since 1990, will lead this FREE hike.

The Gray Butte trailhead is about 36 miles north of Bend (approximately a 1-hour drive). Hikers will meet at ONDA’s Bend office, 50 SW Bond St., Suite 4, to carpool to the trailhead together. High clearance vehicles (Subaru or better) will be required to reach this trailhead.

ONDA Hiker information

• Hikes have a very limited capacity. As such, we ask that you only register for hikes that you are certain you will attend.
• Expect a phone call from us the week before the hike confirming your attendance. We will have a waitlist for each hike and will release your spot to someone on the waitlist if we are unable to confirm your attendance.
• Each hiker is required to sign a liability release form at the beginning of the hike.
• We love our furry friends, but your pet is not invited on this hike.
• Hikers will meet at the Oregon Natural Desert Association office – 50 SW Bond St. Suite 4, Bend, OR – and carpool to the trailhead. Do you have a high clearance vehicle you are willing to drive for the hike? Let us know how many people you can take, including yourself. If you are able and willing to drive, please come with at least half a tank of gas. If you can’t or do not wish to drive, please bring cash and plan to contribute between 5 and 10 cents per mile to the driver of your carpool. Directions will be provided for drivers.