Wander the West

Oregon Cascades-Fall Broken Top Hike

	Broken top

October 2005

Want a great afternoon hike near Bend, Oregon with huge scenic rewards? You need look no further than Ball Butte. This 8091 ft butte is situated on the east side of Broken Top Mountain in the central Cascade Range. From the summit of the butte you are greeted with truly spectacular views of Broken Top, South Sister, and the high desert of Central Oregon.

This is a moderately strenuous hike that is ‘off trail’. This means that the hiking is truly back-country in the style of mountaineering. It is however much simpler than most mountaineering and is only a hike requiring no ropes, etc. Make sure to take plenty of water and a camera. It is also a great place to have a picnic lunch.

To get there; take the Cascade Lakes highway past Mt. Bachelor. Take a right on FS 370 to Todd Lake. Continue on this very rough road (4X4 recommended) for about 5 miles until you are above tree line and can see Broken Top. You will take the second left hand turn and follow this to the end. Ball Butte is on the right.

Remember to be aware of the sensitive alpine environment and leave very sign of your passage. Due to snow this is only accessible by car from early summer to mid fall. You can back-country ski into this area in the winter and this can be equally as beautiful on a clear day. For more pictures see the gallery.

Fall Broken Top Hike Photos

- Eric Davis