
Black Butte Upper Trailhead is the gateway to a steep hike up a solitary volcanic cinder cone with sweeping Cascade views. Photograph jagged lava rock, alpine meadows of wildflowers (late spring–summer), dramatic ridgelines and wide panoramas at sunrise or sunset. Clear nights offer dark-sky astrophotography of the Milky Way. Trail is exposed and steep; parking is limited at the small lot off Forest Service roads. No permit for day hiking, but expect variable mountain weather and bring layers, 4

Black Butte Upper Trailhead is the gateway to a steep hike up a solitary volcanic cinder cone with sweeping Cascade views. Photograph jagged lava rock, alpine meadows of wildflowers (late spring–summer), dramatic ridgelines and wide panoramas at sunrise or sunset. Clear nights offer dark-sky astrophotography of the Milky Way. Trail is exposed and steep; parking is limited at the small lot off Forest Service roads. No permit for day hiking, but expect variable mountain weather and bring layers, 4