Hike: Cowhorn Mountain - Friends of the Umpqua Hiking Club

July 9, 2022
If you ask someone where Cowhorn Mountain is, odds are you will be met with a bewildered look. Situated along the Pacific Crest Trail halfway between Crater Lake and the Three Sisters Wilderness, it's not well-know, but is a must-do for all peak baggers. Brave hikers who make the climb up a steep slope and then a scramble to the tippy top will be rewarded with some of the best views around.
As we rounded each corner that had a view looking up at the mountain, many voices could be heard saying, "We're going up THERE?". The views from below are quite intimidating, to say the least. But we pressed on...
On this day, 8 out of 18 hikers would make it to the summit. We had a handful of hikers who had to turn around early for various reasons, and others who came close to the summit but decided to call it good at the base.
It's not an easy hike at 9 miles round-trip from Windigo Pass, but the awesomeness of the 360 degree views atop this pointy peak makes the effort worth it.
(Apologies for the video quality, aspect ratio and such, the settings on the camera were not correct, so some shakiness exists. Much like one might feel sitting on top of Cowhorn Mountain!)