Mount June & Sawtooth Ridge

Mount June & Sawtooth Ridge

Umpqua National Forest

Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 5 miles
Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
Best time to go: June-July

About this Hike

The Hardesty Mountain Roadless area is the largest to be found within an hour of Eugene. The hike to the top of Mount June passes through a range of landscapes, varying from magnificent old-growth forest, grassy meadows bursting with wildflowers and impressive rock bluffs. The summit of Mount June offers views in every direction.

About the Area

In the 1970's, the Hardesty Mountain Study Group was formed out of the Eugene area. They worked with the Oregon Wilderness Coalition (now Oregon Wild) to try to protect the Hardesty Mountain area with a wilderness protection bill. In 1984, the Oregon Wilderness Act was enacted, protecting numerous Wilderness areas around the state, but excluded Hardesty Mountain. This occurred due to Senator Hatfield offering Rep. Jim Weaver a choice to protect either Hardesty Mountain or the Waldo Lake area during the final negotiations of the bill. Weaver chose to protect the Waldo Lake area. In 1990, the Forest Service moved the boundary of the roadless area, shrinking it substantially. In the mid-1990’s, during the Salvage Rider days, the Judie Timber Sale was planned on the flanks of Hardesty Mountain. Oregon Wild fought hard against this sale and, though some units were cut and a road was partially built into the roadless area, no roadless units were logged. Currently, the Outlook Project is being planned in the area by the Middle Fork Willamette Ranger District, which includes thinning of plantations logged within the roadless area in the 1960s through 80s. Oregon Wild is working to ensure this project does not have negative impacts to the ecosystem or to recreation opportunities in the area.

Getting There

1. Take I-5 South to exit 188 to Highway 58 towards Oakridge.

2. Drive 11.4 miles on Hwy 58 and turn Right at Dexter Dam/Lost Creek Rd.

3. Drive 3.7 miles, then turn Left over a bridge onto Eagles Rest Road. Drive 7.8 miles and continue Left at the fork, onto Road 20-1- 14. Go 2.6 miles on pavement, and then 3.5 on gravel.

4. Turn Left on Road 1721 and go just 0.1 miles, then Left on Road 941 for 0.4 miles to the trailhead.

5. Park in wide spots on the road. Trailhead is on the right.

Photo by Chandra LeGue