34. Mount June (via Lost Creek Trail)

Summary

Length – 4 miles one way

Difficulty – Difficult

Season – Summer - fall

Elevation range – 2,720 feet – 4,618 feet

Human imprint –Low to moderate

Information - Willamette National Forest, Middle Fork Ranger District

Primary old growth features

Fire-scorched Douglas-fir and western hemlock old growth

Description

Mount June is close to Eugene-Springfield and offers great views, so expect company on the mountain over summer weekends. Instead of taking the main well-trodden route to the summit though, start at a lower trailhead and enjoy a quiet path up through a commendable stretch of ridgeline old growth. The route is significantly longer with more elevation gain, but well rewards those looking for a more interesting hike.

Veer right from the trailhead heading southeast on the Lost Creek Trail (3462) through young forest, and then up a secondary ridgeline on a long series of tight switchbacks. After a mile or so the trail benches out and enters an old forest with plenty of evidence of past fires. Large, fire-scorched Douglas-fir and abundant western hemlock are perched along the ridge and across the Lost Creek headwalls for over a mile. Fire scorches stretch 30’-40’ up the trunks of the big Doug-firs in the lower part of the stand, but become less evident as the trail winds its way up to the primary ridgeline.

The Lost Creek Trail meets the Sawtooth Trail (1401) at a junction on the ridge, leaving the old growth behind. Turn right and follow the ridge for nearly a mile before climbing steeply to the top of Mount June for an unobstructed view to the east over a wide slice of the Cascades stretching from Mount Jefferson to Mount Scott. Alternatively, turn left at the junction following the Sawtooth Trail past Sawtooth Rock to Hardesty Mountain. It’s a fun hike, but the views are much better on Mount June.

25 years of change

The old forest is little changed, but the younger forest is noticeably larger. Mountain bike use is much more common now.

How to get there

Turn right (south) onto Lost Creek Road towards Dexter off of State Highway 58 about 11 ½ miles from Interstate 5 southeast of Eugene. Turn left across a bridge onto Eagles Rest Road approximately 3 ¾ miles later. Follow this one-lane, paved road for 7 ¾ miles, then veer left onto BLM Road 20-1-14. The trailhead is on the left one mile later. You’ll need to keep a sharp eye for the trailhead as it is not well-signed, but it is immediately after a large opening and parking area on the right.

There is an official Lost Creek Trailhead reachable off of the Goodman Creek Road (FR 5833) about 6 ¼ miles from Highway 58, but it adds about ¾ mile to the hike each way uphill through younger forest.