Tag: Bonney Butte

I got out for an exploratory hike south of Mt. Hood today. I had heard about Bonney Meadow and Boulder Lake in the past but I was not quite sure where they were. I certainly had no idea what they were like so today was the day to find out. There was one thing I did know about this area is that it could be reached by high clearance vehicles. That left out my little economy car. So I did my exploratory by hiking up the Bonney Meadow Trail that gave me a good elevation gain warm up to start the day. I also got a reminder while looking for the trailhead that it was hunting season and I did not bring my orange attire so no off trail today. I did a long loop hike and was able to visit Bonney Meadows, Bonney Butte, Boulder Lake and Little Boulder Lake. I am not sure of distance or elevation gain but I was on the trail for 7 ½ hours. Having visited the area I think I will leave it to the hunters and the folks with SUVs.

Parked by the side of the road.

Start of the trail

The trail does a steady climb through the woods.

At the top of the trail it turns rocky.

The trail feeds out on the road to Bonney Meadows Camp.

Nice new sign points the way to the Campground.

Bonney Meadow

On the way to Bonney Butte.

An old jeep road lead up to the Bonney Butte an old fire look out site.

The crowd of Hawk watcher on Bonney Butte.

The hawk I think any one was seeing on the windy day was the fake on in the tree.

A signing telling about the fire lookout and the origin of the name.

The view south from the summit of Bonney Butte.

Nice view of Mt. Hood from Bonney Butte.

A nice view of Bonney Meadows from the top of Bonney Butte.

Sign at the start of the Boulder Lake Trail

At the start of the Boulder Lake trail it passes through some of the meadows in the area.

Section of rocky trail heading to Boulder Lake.

Boulder Field below the ridge.

Lots of boulders to look at on this section of trail.

There were still some spot of Fall color left around.

Boulder Lake

Fall color at Boulder Lake.

Little Bonney Lake

Fall Color along the trail.

Mt. Hood from Bonney Meadows

Still some water in the creek.

Bonney Meadow Creek

Sign along the trail for Buck Burn.

The trail pass through one Small section of wilderness.