Oregon Butte — Friday, Jun. 30, 2023

Getting to the trailhead was a long drive on a gravel road. There are some deeper ruts the last few miles. One other car when we got to the parking lot, about 9:20. It's uphill, sometimes steeply, the first 1.25 mile, until you break out and start seeing the expansive views. There are super lush wildflowers the whole way alive with buzzing bees and other pollinators. Some flies, but no mosquitoes--not enough shade I suppose. It was very sad to hike in a burned forest; we hadn't realized it would be burned the entire way. We couldn't get enough of the views of rolling hills though. There were lots of birds active along the way. The trail(s) are somewhat overgrown in places, particularly the lower section of the loop near West Butte. But, thankfully, the blowdowns on that section have been cleared away! There are only 4 easily maneuverable ones on the other side.