Mount Hebo

Pioneer Indian Trail in April

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In mid-April 2003 we decide to take our first Mount Hebo hike of the year. We aim for the upper trail to catch early and short blooming wildflowers. This section of the Pioneer Indian Trail is about 5 miles round trip if one ends the hike at the old Mount Hebo campground, which we usually do. It is a fairy level not too difficult trail. The trail from the Old campground to South Lake is more difficult, becoming very steep and rocky and the terrain somewhat barren.

After passing the trailhead marker, we are immediately in the forest. No wildflowers bloom but there are plenty of thigh high snowdrifts left over from winter. The more we ascend the deeper and more frequent the snowdrifts become. Some hardy hikers in our group wade through the drifts to the old Hebo Campground, others turn back. We don't return until June and consequently miss the early, short blooming period of many wildflowers, particularly the White Fawn Lily, one of the most beautiful.

As the weather in 2004 is milder than it was in 2003, we decide to hike Mount Hebo in mid-April again opining that perhaps the wildflowers are blooming earlier this year and we don't want to miss them once more. Even though it's clear and sunny in Lincoln City and on Highway 101, it's pouring rain on the trail and only a few Trillium are seen. Patches of snow linger in low spots on the trail. We know, even discounting the rain, the farther we ascend the more snow we'll encounter. Abandoning our trek we vow to return in a couple of weeks as wildflower foliage is beginning to emerge from among the tree limbs and other winter storm damage littering the forest floor.

On April 30, 2004 we leave the sunny Central Coast and make our second try at our favorite Mount Hebo trailhead. Once again it is raining, but hundreds of White Fawn Lilies and Evergreen Violets drooping from the weight of raindrops line the trail. A few Trilliums turning purple with age and what we guess might be Oregon Anemones are mixed in with the violets and lilies.

White Fawn Lily

Evergreen Violet

Oregon Anemone Possible ID

Violet and Fawn Lily Lined Trail

Lily and Violet Beside Trail

Lilies on Trail

Maturing Trillium

The many facets of this trail become more and more revealed as we pass through dark, rock laden spots, foggy sections with dead branches still attached to trees, and flower-lined lush sections, all in a matter of minutes.

Then suddenly the trees almost disappear and we are on a coastal prairie reportedly cleared of trees during World War II to create a military lookout station. While most of the attributes of the forest are not seen here, we are surprised that hundreds of Fawn Lilies are dotting the prairie grasses that have not yet reached full summer height.

It begins to rain very hard and even though we wear Gortex jackets and footwear, our pants become soaked shedding water into the inside of our boots. We are also concerned about water-damage to our cameras. Backtracking to our cars we vow to return in May and, weather permitting, will hike all the way to the campground.

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