Boulder Butte Hike
The views from Boulder Butte are spectacular, here north down the South Fork Desolation Creek.

Hike Rating: Easy
Hike Length: 7.4 miles roundtrip
Elevation Gain: 535’
Trailhead Elevation: 6,990’
Best Season: July through September
Driving Access: Any vehicle, with care,
     once access road is snow-free


Plus Points
• An easy ridge walk through the protected Indian Rock-Vinegar Hill Scenic Area
• Fantastic views throughout, both along the ridge and into the adjacent watersheds
• Prime summer habitat for elk and mule deer, with sightings always possible
• Long wildflower season, extending from early spring into late summer
• The destination at Boulder Butte has 360 degree views of Southern Blue Mountains
• Trail is little-used, but well-marked overall with rock cairns and wood posts

Minus Points
• Trail can be faint in spots, requiring route-finding between the rock cairns
• Some boulder-hopping is required to reach final summit of Boulder Butte
• Afternoon thunderstorms can present a lightning hazard on the exposed ridge

Download (PDF, 672 KB): Photos of Boulder Butte Hike
Download (PDF, 678 KB): Topo Map for Boulder Butte Hike
Download (GPX, 1 KB): GPS Points for Boulder Butte Hike
Download (PDF, 897 KB): Road Map for Boulder Butte Hike


Trail Notes
Map of Boulder Butte Hike
From Head O'Boulder Campground, the trail (aka Princess Trail, #251) climbs north over a pine-covered knob and descends into a broad meadow filled with western coneflower. The trail crosses this meadow, then bends southeast as it begins climbing along the south flank of Greenhorn Ridge, through scattered stands of subalpine fir. Rock cairns and wood posts (mostly fallen down) mark the route every few hundred yards, so it's easy to follow. At 1.8 miles, the trail crests the top of Greenhorn Ridge and sweeping views open up north over the South Fork Desolation watershed and beyond.

From this point, the trail follows the ridge line south and east, with more views south into the Middle Fork John Day River watershed. Look for elk beds in the fir stands along the ridge or on the grassy slopes between the trees.
At intervals along the ridge, one can see Boulder Butte ahead (at left) and Point 7452 (at right).
The trail climbs gradually along the ridge, then contours south around Point 7452 and, at 2.9 miles, arrives at an unsigned trail junction on a broad open ridge (GPS Point 1). From this junction, take the fork angling back left (northeast) and follow the rock cairns and downed posts east toward Boulder Butte on the horizon.

About 0.5 miles past the junction, the trail descends into a low saddle just below Boulder Butte (GPS Point 2). Here the route leaves the main trail and traverses northeast cross-country about 250 yards down to the prominent northwest ridge of the butte (GPS Point 3). Note that this northwest ridge is the safest route to the top of the butte, as most other sides of the butte have sheer rock cliffs. Scramble up this northwest ridge, through stunted subalpine firs and over granite boulders, for about 0.2 miles to the summit.

Descending into the saddle west of Boulder Butte, the route up the northwest ridge (at left) is visible.
The climbing is steep but easy, through openings between the trees and rocks. Look for elk beds scattered among the boulders. Only the last 50' requires careful boulder-hopping to reach the summit. Once on top, the views are spectacular, north down the South Fork Desolation watershed, east along the Greenhorn Ridge, and back west to the Indian Rock Lookout where the hike began. Enjoy the views and return as you came.

Road to Trailhead
From the south on paved Hwy 20 along the Middle Fork John Day River, take gravel Road 45 north about 10 miles toward the crest of Greenhorn Ridge, to its junction with Road 537 on the right. With care, this road can be traveled by any passenger car. From the north on Forest Road 10 along Desolation Creek, turn south onto Road 45 and drive about 8.3 miles to its junction with Road 537 on the left. This route is passable only by high-clearance vehicles and only when dry.

Once at Road 537, follow it east about 2.4 miles to the trailhead at Head O' Boulder Campground on the right. This road is passable by any passenger car, but only after the snow has melted off it, which can be as late as early July in wet years.

Camping Options
Tent campers and those with small travel trailers (say up to 16') can stay right at the trailhead in the rustic Head O' Boulder Campground. There are 4-6 sites in the trees here, on both sides of Road 537.
The Head O'Boulder Campground is a small, rustic site, but very convenient to the trailhead.
There is a vault toilet and water for stock, but no drinking water or trash pickup and no fee.

On the south, in the Middle Fork John Day watershed, the closest developed camping area is the Lower Camp Creek Campground, 1.5 miles south off Hwy 20 on Road 36, and about 18 driving miles from the trailhead. There are 6 sites, on a forested bench above Camp Creek, that will accommodate any camping style, including travel trailers up to 40'. There is a vault toilet, picnic tables and fire rings at each site, but no drinking water. Fees were $6.00 per night in 2013.

On the north, in the Desolation Creek watershed, the nearest developed camping area is the Olive Lake Campground, off Forest Road 10, about 17 driving miles from the trailhead. This is a popular recreation area, with 28 sites for any type of camping setup, spread out on the hillside east of the lake. It has 7 vault toilets, a boat ramp and two docks, plus tables and fire rings at most campsites. There is no drinking water or garbage pickup, but it does have a camp host in summer. Fees were $12.00 per night in 2013.


Agency Contact: Malheur National Forest, Blue Mountain District, (541) 575-3000

DISCLAIMER: Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this information, but the authors do not guarantee that it is either current or correct. The reader assumes full responsibility for any use of this information, and is encouraged to contact local public land agencies to inquire about current conditions before traveling.

Page last updated: 11/15/13