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The pride of Eugene! Easy access and easy ascent make for a great anytime route!


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Map Key

4.9

Miles

7.9

KM

Out and Back

2,019' 615 m

High

986' 301 m

Low

1,091' 332 m

Up

1,090' 332 m

Down

8%

Avg Grade (5°)

33%

Max Grade (18°)

Dogs Leashed

Features Views · Wildflowers

Family Friendly It is a doable trail for kids, with great views and interesting opportunities for wildlife viewing.

The area is home to rattlesnakes and poison oak, watch out for both.

Overview

A great hike with fantastic panoramic views of the Coastal Range, the Cascade Volcanoes, and the city of Eugene.

Need to Know

Spencer Butte is a popular destination that an be accessed from several trailheads. Due to the great views and easy accessibility expect to share the trails with plenty of other visitors.

Description

There are three main trailheads that visitors can climb on the Ridgeline Trail to Spencer Butte from. The route shown starts at the Willamette Street Trailhead for just over a 5 mile round-trip outing. Alternatively starting at the Fox Hollow trailhead is closer to 4 miles. For an even shorter hike, the Spencer Butte Park Trailhead makes for a bit over two miles.

All three trail options climb about 1000 feet to the top of the butte, though that doesn't mean the Spencer Butte Main Trail is much steeper approaching from the other trailheads as most of the elevation gain is occurs near the summit.

The surrounding area is a lovely fern-covered forests of Douglas Firs with the exception of the "bald" summit of Spencer Butte. Because the summit does not have any trees, it offers unobstructed panoramic views of the entire area. On a clear day, you can see the Coastal Range on one side and the Cascade Volcanoes on the other. It also provides great views of the city of Eugene.

Portions of the hike are steep and uneven. If it's recently rained that trail can become sloppy and various roots along the trail and the rocks at the summit can be noticeably slippery. Recently installed stairs to the summit make the going easier.

Flora & Fauna

Giant Douglas firs cover most of the butte and there are plentiful ferns.

Contacts

Shared By:

nickwbb Boswell

Trail Ratings

  4.3 from 16 votes

#1613

Overall
  4.3 from 16 votes
5 Star
38%
4 Star
50%
3 Star
13%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#42

in Oregon

#1,613

Overall
14 Views Last Month
2,954 Since Nov 17, 2015
Intermediate Intermediate

17%
0%
67%
8%
8%
0%

Photos

Ferns along the Ridgeline Trail on the way to Spencer Butte!
Nov 18, 2015 near Eugene, OR
Brodiaea blooms dot the trail in the spring and early summer.
Oct 27, 2016 near Eugene, OR
Watching the clouds rolling in from the west at the top of Spencer Butte.
Nov 18, 2015 near Eugene, OR
View of clouds and trees from Spencer Butte.
Jan 15, 2016 near Eugene, OR
A view of Eugene from the top of Spencer Butte on a typical Oregon November day.
Nov 18, 2015 near Eugene, OR
Spencer Butte trees.
Jan 15, 2016 near Eugene, OR

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