There Are Two Trailheads to Summit Black Butte Many people will hike to the summit of Black Butte during the summer. It is an iconic volcano located just outside of Sisters next to Black Butte Resort which challenges both visitors and locals. Most people will take the gravel road which transitions into a terrible dirt road to the upper trailhead which is located 1500 feet below the summit. Hikers who start here will find a limited space parking area complete with facilities which require a current forest pass. Those who really want to challenge themselves can start at the base of Black Butte at the historic trail head located near Camp Sherman. The road to this trailhead is mostly paved until the turn off to the parking area so hikers avoid driving over challenging dirt roads before th... 05/23/2025

Black Butte Trail Is Short But SteepThe trail to the top of Black Butte starts part way up the butte after a drive on a fairly well maintained dirt and gravel road followed by a poorly maintained dirt and rock road. Once you reach the trailhead (complete with stocked toilets), the two mile hike to the top of the butte can be accomplished fairly quickly.  Hikers gain over 1500 feet in the two miles, but the Cascade views from Broken Top to Mt Adams can be spectacular on a clear day. There is limited parking at the Black Butte Trailhead (forest pass required) so hikers are recommended to arrive early to get a spot and to avoid crowds.  The hike is very popular with visitors to Black Butte Ranch and and Camp Sherman as well as local year-round residents. Original blog can be read at Bend P... 05/22/2024

During the Covid-19 Pandemic with many of the most popular trails shut down, we have been looking for places to hike that may still be open and accessible this time of year. Yesterday we hiked Black Butte Trail for the first time. We have lived in Central Oregon since 1985, but have never attempted this hike before. The drive to the trail head was over 5 miles of dirt road (Forest Service Road 1110), after leaving paved Forest Service Road 11 with that last mile of road very rough. But we discovered that this is a very popular hike and the parking lot was full; forest passes are required to park.We had had a light dusting of snow the night before, so our hike started in the pines with the path highlighted by the snow on both sides. As we climbed, the snow was more prevalent in the trees... 05/04/2020

 Black Butte Ranch Offers Assortment of 2nd home option in Sisters, Oregon If you have ever visited Black Butte Ranch, outside of Sisters, Oregon then you know just how special of a place this is.  The grass seems to be deeper hues of green, the water appears to be deeper shades of blue and the Three Sisters Mountains feel so close that you swear you could reach out and touch them.  For a fortunate few, Black Butte Ranch has been a getaway haven where oneness with nature is a hallmark of daily living. Black Butte Ranch was established as a resort property in the early 1970’s.  In the 1980’s Brooks Resources sold the public elements of the resort to the Black Butte Homeowners Association.  This has created a very unique situation for property owners in Black Butte Ranch, in that they are... 07/03/2012

 While on a visit to one of my favorite Central Oregon destinations in August 2006, a fire was started by lightning near Lake George.  These photos were shot at Black Butte Ranch.  The sunset through the smoke provided a spectacular back drop for the fire fighting.           This was taken from the lodge pool.  The smoke stayed to the west so the air at the ranch remained relatively clear.   Here's a close up on the blaze.  Located 13 miles west of the town of Sisters, Oregon, it burned 21,290 acres of forest.  It started 8/7/2006 and was contained by 9/15/2006. Black Butte Ranch's Fire and Rescue was on hand to inform and educate the guests and owners who had questions about the fire.  The were no evacuations this time as the fire was far enough away and the winds were favorable.This p... 03/20/2007