Pets allowed
Allowed
Elevation Gain
3,000.00 ft (914.40 m)
Trail type
There-and-back
Distance
7.40 mi (11.91 km)
Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. Learn more about how to apply the principles of Leave No Trace on your next outdoor adventure here.

A beautiful former lookout site lies just a few miles from the South Breitenbush Trailhead, and it makes a great hike if you dare to tackle the steep climb to get there. Bear Point, located in the Mount Jefferson Wilderness, was the site of a fire tower that was active from the 1930s to the 1960s. Now, just a few scraps remain. Visitors are treated to a splendid view of the northeast side of Mount Jefferson, as well as several other mountains, buttes and lakes.

The hike begins pleasantly enough, gently traversing the slopes above the South Fork of the Breitenbush River. At the trail junction for Bear Point, the character of the trail changes dramatically, and hikers must charge straight uphill to reach the summit. Early summer hikers experience pretty wildflower blooms, including paintbrush and beargrass. Late summer hikers are treated to ripe huckleberries along the way. As the trail gains elevation, there are more and more views of the surrounding terrain. Listen for the sharp calls from pikas that dart between gaps in the rocks along the talus slopes near the trail. 

At the summit, be sure to rest, enjoy the views, and take plenty of photos from the rocky points nearby. If you have the time and energy, it would be possible to head back down to the South Breitenbush trail, turn right, and head into Jefferson Park for a night of camping. From Jefferson Park, there are a number of trails and lakes to explore on a more extended trip.

Logistics + Planning

Preferable season(s)

Summer
Fall

Congestion

Low

Parking Pass

Not Required

Pros

Excellent viewpoint. Huckleberries in the summer. Solitude.

Cons

Steep climbing on Bear Point Trail.

Trailhead Elevation

3,040.00 ft (926.59 m)

Features

Big vistas
Wildflowers

Location

Nearby Lodging + Camping

Oregon, Mt. Jefferson + Metolius River Area
Oregon, Mt. Jefferson + Metolius River Area

Comments

11/10/2018
Can be hiked in the snow! The mountain looks great with fresh snow on it. Mount Hood and other peaks are also visible on a clear day.
07/09/2017
Did this hike 7.9.17 and it was hands-down one of the most fun hikes we've done in Oregon as a couple who love mountain vistas and wildflowers. The uphill, especially after reaching the Bear Point turn-off, is sustained, but the views of Jefferson from the switch-backs and the lovely breeze blowing made it thoroughly enjoyable - not to mention the fact that we were the only ones on the trail. Still a little bit of snow just before the peak, but you can just skirt around it to the right or scramble up the rocks to reach to peak (2-3 min). Lots of little streams before the Bear Point turn to fill up on. Highly recommend this hike.
Have updates, photos, alerts, or just want to leave a comment?
Sign In and share them.