Park Butte — Saturday, Jul. 12, 2025

The Park Butte trailhead area offers some options for getting out into the mountains for those who are able to take on less than other hikers. I am writing this trip report to let people know it’s a beautiful area for people who are limited by age, health, short mileage limits, older dogs, etc. Please read on as I am NOT referring to the whole Park Butte hike. Here are some ideas & info:
-There are 2 campsites for 1-night stays at the trailhead that you can pull into with your car. If not already claimed by mountaineers in this popular area, maybe on a weekday, they’d make a great base camp by the river.
-There is a nice picnic area by the creek about 0.1 miles down the trail.
-A bridge just a bit further makes a scenic spot for a short walk from the trailhead.
-You can reach the meadows with some mountain views within 1/2 mile.
-A 1 mile hike (2 miles round-trip) takes you all the way through Schreibers Meadows.
Note: This whole first mile of trail climbs gradually with mostly a wide tread and places where stepping up or around obstacles is necessary.

All this to say if you - or a family member - are an avid outdoor adventurer who needs to take things slower these days, sticking close to the trailhead at Schrieber’s Meadow/Park Butte trail just might tic all your boxes (beautiful wildflowers, scenery, peek a boo views, and hiking a trail in the mountains).

As with all backcountry adventures, please practice Leave No Trace and responsible hiking practices.

The road is 9 miles and has lots of potholes.

We day hiked to Schreiber’s Meadow today (cannot comment on snow/etc beyond there). It was lovely.