Mount Hebo Hikes

Introduction

Mount Hebo's Pioneer Indian Trail is in Tillamook County in the Siulslaw Forest on the Northern Oregon Coast. As it is farther north it offers habitats and conditions different from Central Coast trails. These conditions and habitats foster different plants and trees than those found on Central Coast Trails. For example, the Noble Fir is not found on Cascade Head, Drift Creek Falls or Cape Perpetua.

Each season Mount Hebo offers something new and different from snow covered and storm ravaged trails in the winter to wildflower filled forests, prairies and bogs in the spring and summer. Additionally, snow stays on the trail longer and wildflowers bloom later than on the Siuslaw forest trails on the Central Coast.

As our interest is wildflowers we usually drive 2.8 miles past the entrance to Pioneer Indian Trailhead located at Mt. Hebo Lake campground, to the Upper Pioneer Indian Trail located on a grass clearing on the left side of the road. A metal barricade to prevent all-terrain vehicles from disturbing the fragile environment distinguishes the area; tire tracks from such past excursions still visible. At the far end of the parking area is a trailhead sign. A round-trip hike from this area to the old Mount Hebo Campground is about 5 miles. It is a fairly easy hike without much elevation change, but the trail is very rocky in spots requiring a sharp eye.

Starting sometimes as early as mid-April, and each month through July, new and different wildflowers bloom beside the trails.

A caveat: Mt. Hebo is a favorite hunting spot both for bow and gun hunters. If one doubts this, a glance at road signs with multiple gunshot holes through them should be convincing. It is therefore wise to wear very colorful clothing during hunting season and not a bad idea at any time.

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