There is a decent sized parking lot as well as port-a-potties at the trailhead. The trail has steep switchbacks through beautiful thick forest, meadows and a treeless, rocky butte. Add Your Trails. … Roughly 2,000 feet above Eugene, Oregon, the summit of Spencer Butte marks the highest point on the Ridgeline Trail system. Trails in Spencer Butte Park - 1. 08/04/2018 From there it is a leisurely 2 mile hike up to the summit. 1,300 feet above sea level. The summit requires ascent of a series of stone steps which become slippery in the rain and ice. Spencer Butte, a 2,000 foot mountain towering over downtown Eugene and the Willamette Valley, is one of the city’s most prized outdoor spaces. Compare the trails by difficulty, distance, and elevation to find the one for you, including the Spencer Butte Trail, Mount Pisgah Trail, South Hills Ridgeline Trail, and more! The Ridgeline Trail, especially the challenging spur which climbs to the top of Spencer Butte, is one of the most popular trails in the metropolitan area. The remainder of the trail winds down tree-and-fern-covered slopes … Eugene’s skyline is not dominated by buildings, but rather by a long, forested ridge topped with Spencer Butte’s haystack-shaped knob. Spencer Butte, elevation 2054', is the highest and most prominent landmark at the southern end of the Willainette Valley. On the south edge of Eugene, five minutes up either Willamette or Fox Hollow, is an amazing trail system called Ridgeline Trail. There are beautiful views from the top, especially at sunrise and sunset. Ridgeline Trail and Cascades Raptor Center Website. – Matthew Denis. Information, Park Rules, History, Facts, Photo Gallery, Spencer Butte Trailhead. We started out on the left fork, but the trail is a loop so pick your poison (if you want to take the Ridgeline Trail later, start out to the left as we did). Come hike up Spencer Butte and see Eugene and surrounding areas from a different perspective. ... Mt. There are also a series of ridgeline trails throughout the Spencer Butte parking area, so if you are interested … Explore this natural skyline on the South Hills Ridgeline Trail, through forests so thick with Douglas fir and sword fern it’s easy to forget city streets lie below. From the parking lot, climb the concrete stairs. These trails were designated as a National Recreation Trail by the National Park Service. The closure affected the entire Ridgeline system of trails and parks, including Spencer Butte and Hendricks Park. - Starting from West Route it is 700 feet over 0.6 miles. Beau Stanton, Eugene bus station. For the most part, bikes are prohibited on the trails around Spencer's Butte with the exception of the Ridgeline Trail System - a network of over 12 miles (19.3 km). The Ridgeline Trail traverses the southern end of Eugene with an almost connected 12 miles of trails through various parklands. The Ridgeline Trail from Blanton Ridge to the Willamette Street trailhead for Spencer Butte has become our home base lately for quick hikes after work. Intermediate. MTB Project is built by riders like you. Dedicated hikers reach the crescendo of the Ridgeline Trail system at the top of Spencer Butte. The adventure can start at any one of eight trailheads with the main attraction being the rocky outcropping of Spencer Butte – the city’s highest point at just over 2,000 feet. - Spencer Butte hikes are part of the Ridgeline Trail System - Starting from Main Trail it is only around a 700 foot climb over 1.08 miles. This is a moderate to difficult loop trail to Spencer Butte in Spencer Butte Park. Continue on Ridgeline Trail to the junction heading south to Spencer Butte Summit, right turn out, right turn returning back to Fox Hollow. Spencer Butte. – Spencer Butte hikes are part of the Ridgeline Trail … Add Your Photos. Description . The difficulty of the trails ranges from the very easy Fox Hollow trail that loops around to the newer Dillard East and West trailheads, to the challenging rocky climb up Spencer Butte, via the West Trail. Look for a three-log-post sign for Spencer Butte Park on the left. Spent this morning walking these beautiful scenic trails! Call ahead This experience may be open for on-site visitation; ... and warblers in the forested setting, you can hike the trail SW through mixed forest (with some old growth) to Spencer Butte for magnificent views of the Willamette Valley and the snowcapped Three Sisters volcanoes in the Cascades. – Elevation of 2,055 feet (626 m) – World Map Coordinates: 43.98361°N 123.09667°W – Base of the Butte is aprox. I'm glad we made... Read more. There are both hiking and mountain biking trails of various levels. There are three main trailheads that visitors can climb on the Ridgeline Trail to Spencer Butte from. Pisgah has more trails but more difficult access. – Matthew Denis. Biking and hiking trails spread out from Skinner Butte and Alton Baker Park, split by the Willamette River on the north side of town to the wild woods and Ridgeline Trail leading up to Spencer Butte to the south and from Fern Ridge Reservoir west of town to the Mount Pisgah Arboretum to Eugene’s southeast. Spencer Butte, also know as Spencer’s Butte, is the big mountain right in the backyard of Eugene. Hikers summit Spencer's Butte. The trail, originally starting at Spencer Butte, was established in 1940, thanks to a grass-roots campaign that […] – Matthew Denis. Most people who live in Eugene have done the Spencer Butte hike, but the majority of people do it from the Spencer Butte trailhead. Friendly and moderate trail for running and biking (some parts). 2. Though currently separated from Spencer Butte and other sections of the Ridgeline Trail System, future plans involve linking Wild Iris Ridge into the chain. The route shown starts at the Willamette Street Trailhead for just over a 5 mile round-trip outing. Spencer Butte Website. If you want more, you can actually park at the Willamette St. Ridgeline Trail System trailhead and make the hike either a more difficult 5.4 mile partial loop, or a relatively easy 3.4 miles. Mountain biking down the Fox Hollow Trail of Spencer Butte on a Sunday morning. From Blanton Ridge Parking Area the trail gradually climbs to a summit of 1280 feet and then gently meanders downhill almost all the way to 52nd and Willamette with a slight incline toward the end. I can take the bus to trails that lead to Spencer Butte and the Ridgeline system; I have to drive to Pisgah to hike its savannah-like trails. The Ridgeline Trail System is one of Eugene’s precious outdoor gems. Experience the beautiful Oregon outdoors by hiking one of these six great trails near Eugene. Stick to the Ridge Trail for a direct route to the prairie overlook or wander around the many looping gravel tracks and dirt roads to forge your own path. 2.0 mi 3.3 km #1 Ridgeline Trail West. From the Spencer Butte Trailhead, the trail climbs gently into a peaceful forest of Douglas firs with the occasional clearing. Twelve miles of seamlessly connected hiking, biking and pedestrian trails wind throughout Eugene’s south hills. Over the next mile, the trail reaches its high point before descending to an intersection with the Ridgeline Trail: Junction to Spencer Butte Main Trail (turn right here if you're heading to Spencer Butte). Eugene, OR 2 Photos of Spencer Butte Park - 1. – Matthew Denis. While hiking, running, mountain biking, or walking your dog in this green paradise, you would never guess that you are only a few miles from downtown Eugene. – Matthew Denis From this point, the trail veers left and begins climbing the southern flank of Spencer Butte. , The view from the top of the treeless butte is extraordinary, and there are several different options for arriving at the summit. Spencer Butte is a nice hike in south Eugene that gives you a 360 degree view of the area. Alternatively starting at the Fox Hollow trailhead is closer to 4 miles. The adventure can start at any one of eight trailheads with the main attraction being the rocky outcropping of Spencer Butte – the city’s highest point at just over 2,000 feet. There is a system in South Eugene called the Ridgeline Trails. It tops out at an elevation just over 2,000ft and offers the some of the best views of Eugene and the Southern Willamette valley that you will ever see. Begin at the trail head on Martin Street and ascend on singletrack through Eugene's south hills. The Butte also is part of the Ridgeline Trail System, which is about 6+ miles east to west, with three spur trails leading to city roads for easy access. The main trails will take you to the summit of Spencer Butte with incredible views of Eugene and the surrounding area. It’s a great way to get out and explore right in town. The view from the summit of Spencer's Butte is heavenly. There are numerous trails in Spencer Butte Park ranging from short and easy to long and steep. Spencer Butte is not just an iconic backdrop to Eugene – hiking to the top is one of the most popular city hikes. Posted on March 25, 2013 by Yoga In the Forest. The summit of Skinner Butte downtown was also closed. Facing southeast from Spencer's Butte, Eugene's farms pop into view. The Ridgeline Trail traverses the southern end of Eugene with an almost connected 12 miles of trails through various parklands. Bicyclist and bee, 13th Avenue. One of the many aspects of our new location that we’re enjoying are the many hiking trails. A little over a half mile in, the trail intersects with the Ridgeline Trail: Junction to Spencer Butte Main Trail. Eugene, OR Intermediate. MTB Project is built by riders like you. It’s a great way to get out and explore right in town. Spencer Butte is a prominent landmark in Lane County, Oregon, United States, on the southern edge of Eugene. The Register-Guard 624 views. A pleasant section of trail connecting Spencer Butte Park to the greater Ridgeline Trail System Near Eugene, Oregon. It is rated as such due to the steep elevation gain, especially when summiting the Butte. I did the steep trail on the way up, which involved a bit of rock scrambling, and took the longer way down. The reason this trail makes a great workout is the final 900 meters which becomes very steep as you get near the top of the butte, but it is well worth the burn. Douglas firs dwarf a hiker and her dogs on Eugene's Ridgeline Trail. Eugene’s National Recreation Trail, the Ridgeline Trail system, includes the city’s highest point, Spencer Butte.However, the most connected part of the network runs from Blanton Ridge to Mount Baldy.The Ridgeline system is a work in progress as other scattered greenspaces may be connected in the future. It’s popular for hiking, mountain biking, and trail running. DO NOT run to the summit of Spencer Butte, take the trail around the SE side of the butte to the south Willamette Street Trailhead. Baldy, Ridgeline Trail - Eugene, Oregon - Good Walks - Duration: 2:40. The Ridgeline park system is home to over 17 miles of trails and walking paths.