36. Patterson Mountain

Summary

Length – 2 ½ miles one way

Difficulty – Easy

Season – Late spring to autumn

Elevation range –4,240 feet – 4,400 feet

Human imprint – Moderate (managed landscape; hikers and bikers)

Information - Willamette National Forest, Middle Fork Ranger District

Primary old growth features

Upper slope Douglas-fir old growth, some grand fir.

Description

The infrequently traveled Lone Wolf/Patterson Mountain Trail (3470) offers easy access to the gentle summit of Patterson Mountain while traversing impressive older forest. The north-facing slope on the second half of the hike holds a choice stand of colossal Douglas-fir. A diverse wet meadow complex adds interest to the hike. Easily completed as a half-day excursion, hikers may be able to time the lifting clouds on a misty day to reach the mountaintop for a rewarding view.

Start off along the edge of an older plantation, entering an intact older stand a little over a third of a mile from the trailhead. At first the forest is fairly open beneath a closed canopy of mature Douglas-fir approaching 200 years old. Soon, elements of a much older Douglas-fir stand (400 to 500 years old) intermingle with the mature forest. The trail intersects the Lawler Trail (3473) three-quarters of a mile from the trailhead, and winds around an attractive meadow before reaching a short spur trail to the Lone Wolf Shelter a third of a mile later.

Once past the shelter, the trail gently climbs the north slope of Patterson Mountain, staying in the forest above a series of extensive shrub fields. Big Douglas-fir 4 to 5 feet thick preside over an herbaceous carpet of oxalis, vanilla leaf and starry Solomon's seal. Grand fir becomes abundant along the last half-mile of the trail, including an interesting pocket of windthrown firs straddling the trail. The trail dead-ends at a rock outcrop with wide-ranging views from Lookout Point Lake to the mixed private and public lands to the north and west. A surprising copse of Oregon white oak is regrowing by the overlook.

Note: The trailhead was signed as the Lawler Trail as of July 2022, though the Willamette NF website still shows the trail as the Lone Wolf/Patterson Mountain Trail.

25 years of change

Beginning plantation now a young forest; shelter rebuilt.

How to get there

Turn right (west) onto Krueger Rock Road (FR 5847) from State Highway 58, approximately 35 miles southeast of Eugene. Follow FR 5847 approximately 8 miles to the junction with FR 555 near the ridgeline. Turn right on FR 555; the trailhead is on the left a little less than a half mile later. You can also get there via Patterson Mountain Road (FR 5840) and FR 1714; but it is a longer, more circuitous route.