I agree with the hike book that driving to the trailhead is the toughest part. I do not recommend the route we took from Dayton, which was to drive up to the end of the Touchet River valley. past the ski area, up to the ridgeline, and then a very long, winding, single-lane, potholed, dirt road to Godman Guard Station. FS Road 4608 north from the guard station to the trailhead at Teepee Campground is six more miles of the same. I drove it all in a front wheel drive passenger car. It was okay if I took it slow. The hike book does not mention the best route from Dayton -- which is the Kincaid Skyline Road -- two lane, no potholes -- but still very long. The trail was fine. In places it's a deep rut cut by the hooves of many horses over the years. We followed the hike book recommendation and took the old trail over West Butte, returning via the new trail that traverses around its north side. Very nice views. The climb to Oregon Butte is moderate and the views are spectacular -- all the way to the Wallowas in Oregon and the Seven Devils in Idaho. Oregon Butte seems to be at the center of Washinton's Blue Mountains, with close up views of the jagged, dissected Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness. It was hunting season when we did this hike. Lots of hunters and their vehicles on the roads and at the trailhead, but we saw no hunters on this hike. The larch were turning yellow, which added to the scenery.

A great way to spend Independence Day. Road would normally be passenger car accessible, quite a few potholes along the way, and a couple places that could be muddy/rough earlier in the year. Trail climbs steadily from the trailhead, never too steeply. A nice little downhill respite approaching the spring, then back uphill to the final destination. It is a nice forest trail most of the way, and doesn't break out into open meadows until you turn south for the last 1/2 mile. Then you have great views all around. Lots of flowers along the way, but some of the early bloomers were just starting at the top. Give it another couple weeks and it would probably be even more amazing. Definitely a place I would return to.

It is 34 miles to the trailhead from Dayton and took about 1.5 hrs. There were a few bear hunters ad Godman. The road in is long but was in good condition until after the Godman Guard Station. Then you have to cross three short sections of snow. I didn't have too many problems with 4 wheel drive, but I was nervous on the way out. I reset my mileage at the guard station. I had it at 5.6 miles from there to Teepee Trailhead. There are NO Signs. I followed the main road and stuck to the right (unless it was a little road branching off). The trail has no markers. When we went their was still snow on the trail in the trees and on the ridge. We ended up camping halfway since my son is 4. No snow or more time we could have made it all the way. There were blow downs and fresh bear tracks in the mud. A glorious day with temps in the 70s. Freezing temps overnight.

After receiving the rainy weather report for the Cascades, my brother in law and I decided to head east and hike the Blue Mountains. Specifically, we headed for the Oregon Butte Fire Lookout. The drive from Dayton to the trail head took a little longer than expected, but was easily accomplished over well maintained roads. There was some wash-boarding but overall the road was in excellent shape. Bow hunting season had recently opened and we encountered several hunters and hunting camps/trailers along the road (Rd 46). There was also a few groups cutting and loading wood, so we drove slow. We continued past the turnoff for road 4608 a short distance and explored the Godman forest service site and had lunch at Godman Campground. Yellowjackets and bald faced hornets showed interest in our lunch, but they weren't too aggressive and were manageable. Once at the Teepee trailhead (Teepee Trailhead requires a Northwest Forest Pass or $5.00 per day per vehicle) we headed up the Mt. Misery trail (#3113). The trail was in good shape with nary a blowdown and care was only needed occasionally to avoid stepping in presents left from previous pack animals. Speaking of which, we encountered such a group near the top of the ridge where the spur trail heads to the lookout. They were friendly and stopped to chat. They were also the only hunter presence we saw once we left the trailhead. Once on the ridge leading to the lookout we met another group of six that were overnighting in the area. After another chat we headed to the lookout. At the lookout we were met by the lookout who gave us a tour of the facility and was both friendly and informative. The views from the lookout were great. To the north we could see Steptoe Butte, and then faintly behind, Mt. Spokane. To the southeast were the seven devils, and more due south, the Wallowas. Not to mention the much closer rugged ridges and ravines of the Wenaha - Tucannon Wilderness all around. There were a few huckleberries left, all along the road to the trailhead. Didn't see any along the trail. There was also a few wildflowers still showing such as fleabane, but there were many more mushrooms starting to show, mainly boletus. The weather was great for hiking, cool and partly cloudy. It was shirtsleeves while hiking, but a breeze and temps in the mid 60's up on the ridge called for a windshirt or fleece once stopped. The spring below the lookout (Oregon Butte Spring) was flowing so there was water if needed. We ended up spending a couple of hours at the lookout before an uneventful hike out. Overall, it was a good day for a hike.

This hike takes you into the heart of the Blue Mtns. It is 34 miles to the trailhead from Dayton and took about 1.5 hrs. My husband and I saw no other cars or persons after leaving Dayton. The road in is long but was in good condition. It looked like someone had been through recently clearing debris. This hike starts at the Teepee Trailhead and although the directions to get to the trailhead are accurate in the WTA Trail guide, there are no signs by the Godman station and the road from there was 6 miles (not 5) to the trailhead. The total mileage to Oregon Butte from the trailhead is around 3 making the hike a 6 mile roundtrip NOT 3 as is listed in the WTA hike guide. It is about 2.25 to Oregon Springs and then another .75 to the top. The climb elevation to the springs is 1237 ft and it would be 1580 to the lookout. There are no trail markers at all. The day was warm and sunny which made for temperatures in the 60's in the forest and 70's along the ridges. The trail had a lot of snow patches which should be gone in another few weeks. The trail was easy to follow even with the mud and snow. We saw a lot of animal prints - deer and elk and ? - we thought cougar or bear and then wondered what we would do. It did not help that there is a Grizzly Bear Ridge and Cougar Creek nearby (and did I mention no other people). Flowers are just starting with avalanche lilies all along the way. We got good views on the West Butte especially looking SE to the Eagle Cap Wilderness. Since we had gotten a late start (arriving at TeePee trailhead at 2) and the snow was slowing us down, we decided to call it quits at Oregon Springs. I think if we had left earlier it would have been no problem to get to the top. You can see in the picture of the lookout that the ridge is clear of snow. A great day.