Bearbones Mountain
This short, little-used trail leads to an old lookout site with a great view of Hills Creek Reservoir and much of southeastern Lane County and the Cascades. A rocky ridge with even more flowers is hidden by a short stretch of trees to the south, just below the summit. It has unusual plants at both the southern (Siskiyou fritillary [Fritillaria glauca]) and northern (cliff paintbrush [Castilleja rupicola]) ends of their ranges—a good example of how this part of the Western Cascades, known as the Calapooya Mountains, is the dividing line between the Rocky Mountain Floristic Province to the north and the California Floristic Province to the south.
Description Sheet
Details
Trail: 2 miles round trip (3950–4910′)
Location: southeastern Lane County; Willamette National Forest, Middle Fork Ranger District and Umpqua National Forest, Cottage Grove Ranger District
USGS Map: Bearbones Mountain, T23S.R2E.S25,36
Habitats: forest, rocky meadow, cliff
Bloom: mid-May to early July
Directions
Drive east on Hwy 58 for 2 miles past Oakridge. Turn right toward the Hills Creek Dam onto Kitson Springs Road. After 0.5 mile, turn right onto Rd 21, “Diamond Drive.” Follow Rd 21 for 16.3 miles. Turn right at Rd 2127. Cross a bridge and continue on Rd 2127 for 3.9 miles. The road soon turns to gravel. Stay right onto what is now Rd 5850. Continue for 3.5 miles to a hiker symbol sign on right. Park on the left side of the road.
Plant Lists
based on 20 trips
plant list by genus • plant list by family
Blog Entries
https://westerncascades.com/tag/bearbones-mountain