18. Browder Ridge

Summary

Length – 3.5 miles one way

Difficulty – Difficult

Season – Summer

Elevation range –3,650 feet – 5,480 feet

Human imprint –Low (mountain bikers)

Information - Willamette National Forest, Sweet Home Ranger District

Primary old growth feature

Transition through old Douglas-fir up to stately mountain hemlock – noble fir old growth.

Description

The ascent up Browder Ridge showcases a series of transitions from the upper end of the Douglas-fir-western hemlock forest type, through a mix of more snow-hardy species with Douglas-fir, up to a really nice noble fir-mountain hemlock old-growth stand. Along the way several prominent vistas highlighting Cascade peaks are interspersed with varied meadows. Hikers should be alert for mountain bikers bombing downhill on weekends.

Take the Gate Creek Trail (3412) up a short series of switchbacks onto a gentler bench where an excellent example of Douglas-fir and western hemlock old-growth stand resides at the upper end of its elevation range. Pacific silver fire also occupies understory space in this stand and becomes more prevalent along with other higher elevation species as the trail resumes climbing. Look for noble fir, grand fir, Alaska yellow cedar, and mountain hemlock in this transition forest. Sharp-eyed hikers may also spot an isolated Engelmann spruce or western white pine.

Continue west along the ridgeline enjoying views of volcanic mountains from Mt. Jefferson to Diamond Peak. Turn right after three miles onto the Heart Lake trail (3407) at an unsigned junction, and immediately enter a memorable noble fir-mountain hemlock old growth forest. Hikers can turn around here, or continue through a meadow below cliffs of columnar basalt, and then bushwhack up to the top of the peak from the ridgeline for a spectacular, wide-ranging view.

Browder Ridge and the Heart Lake trail can also be reached from the western trailhead (off Hwy 20 to FR 15.) Although longer and less well-maintained, this route passes through small patches of old growth (predominately noble fir) and flower-filled meadows.

25 years of change

More snags; more mountain bike usage.

How to get there

From the McKenzie Highway (SR 126), turn west onto Rd 2672 at Ikenick Sno-Park less than a half mile north of the Clear Lake Resort turnoff. Turn right in one mile staying on 2672. Turn left in two miles onto FR 1598. Parking is on the left 2/34 miles later at the Gate Creek trailhead. FR 1598 can also be reached from Hwy 20 about 2.5 miles west of the junction with SR 126 by traveling 2 miles southeast on FR 2672 from Hwy. 20, and then turning right onto 1598.