Mount Bailey

Mount Bailey 

Umpqua National Forest

Difficulty: Difficult 
Distance: 5 miles (one way)
Elevation Gain: 3,000 feet
Best time to go: June-November 

About this Hike

The trail begins on a lodepole pine covered flat, then climbs thorugh open stands of mountain hemlock and true fir. The first part of the hike is a steep trail through forest, but once you reach timberline it opens up and offers incredible views for the last mile. You'll come to a false summit and then traverse a rock wall along a steep scree path, past a window in the rock that frames an amazing view of Mt. Thielsen and Diamond Lake. From that point, scramble onto the ridge and walk along a wildflower-covered cinder ridge to the summit. 

Mt. Bailey's History 

Mt. Bailey is a relatively young tephra cone and shield volcano within the proposed Crater Lake Wilderness. It consists of a 2,000 foot high main cone on top of an old basaltic andesite shielf volcano, and it was originally named Mt. Baldy due to its bare summit. According to local myths, a cartographer misread a surveryor's handwriting and it's been referred to as Mt. Bailey ever since. (link to other existing Oregon Wild page with more information on Mt. Bailey) 

Getting There

1. From Roseburg, head East on OR 138 and continue for approximately 78 miles. 

2. Turn right onto road 4795 and keep right. 

3. Turn left onto road 4796-300 and continue for 1.7 miles until you see the trailhead on your right. 

 

Photo by Chandra LeGue