Where the Wildflowers Grow: A Smoky But Beautiful Ascent of Black Butte

From City Streets to Rugged Terrain

No sweat stains yet.. clearly we're just starting the climb!

Another day, another extinct volcano conquered! This time, our adventurous spirits led us to Black Butte in Central Oregon. The drive from Bend was a scenic treat, filled with rolling fields, grazing cows and horses, and even a distillery growing their own rye (whiskey, anyone?).

But the real fun began when we hit the final five-mile stretch of dirt road leading to the trailhead. Let's just say my husband (aka Captain Off-Road) had a little too much fun behind the wheel, putting my poor Subaru through its paces as we dodged rocks and tree limbs like we were in a rally car.

Wildflowers and Wind on the Trail

The trail itself was a moderate two-mile climb with 1500 feet of elevation gain. The smoky haze from nearby wildfires made it a bit of a challenge to see the surrounding scenery. Thankfully, nature provided a colorful distraction in the form of vibrant wildflowers that dotted the landscape with pops of purple, yellow, and every shade of green imaginable. The wind whipping through the trees and flowers added a dramatic soundtrack to our adventure.

Wildflower magic on Black Butte

The magic continues...

A Summit with a View (and a Few Surprises)

At the oh-so-windy summit, we were greeted with an unexpected surprise: a 100-year-old fire lookout building (called a cupola), a 65-foot lookout tower, and an open-air outhouse with a stunning view of Mt. Jefferson. Talk about a room with a view!

Guardian of the peaks: Black Butte's historic fire lookout tower

Ty, soaking up a bit of history at the Black Butte fire lookout. Even after huffing and puffing up the trail, he still had enough energy to nerd out on the details.

We took a moment to appreciate the history and sheer grit that went into building these structures on this remote peak, a reminder of a time when hard work and determination were the tools of the trade, not modern machinery.

Nature calls... with a view! This Black Butte outhouse might not offer much privacy, but it definitely delivers on scenic relief.

A smoky haze softens the landscape, blurring the lines between earth and sky, as Mount Jefferson emerges like a phantom peak

Trailside Snacks and Unexpected Guests

A beautiful wooden viewpoint at the summit provided the perfect spot to take in the scenery (and truly experience that wind!). We dropped our packs, unfurled our trusty Uncrustables (the ultimate trail snack), and were immediately greeted by a curious chipmunk. This little guy had no qualms about getting up close and personal, clearly hoping we'd share our lunch. No such luck, little buddy! We cracked up when he got cozy, sat up on his hind legs next to us, and devoured the tiny morsel he found.

This little bandit couldn't resist the crumbs from our Uncrustables. Guess he has good taste

Post-Hike Brews and Reflections

Covered in dust and sweat, we made a beeline for Deschutes Brewery, where I indulged in their aptly named Black Butte Porter (when in Rome, right?). Ty opted for the Tropical Fresh IPA, and we raised a toast to another epic adventure in the books. Sometimes the best adventures are the ones that don't go exactly as planned, and this one was no exception. Between the white-knuckle drive up the rugged dirt road, the smoky views at the summit, and our furry little friend, it was a day we won't soon forget.

Cheers, friends! Until our next escapade...

Good beer, good company, good times at Deschutes Brewery. Couldn't agree more with their motto.

Michelle Eidam is a freelance writer with a thirst for adventure – exploring mountains, trails, breweries, and everything in between.