Green Ridge, Deschutes National Forest, Oregon

My friend Amber who lives in Idaho came over to Oregon for a camping trip with Zeta her young Rocky Mountain mare, and was staying at Sheep Springs Horse Camp. She drove over and met me at the trailhead for Green Ridge so we could do this 18 mile out and back ride.

Riding on the Green Ridge Trail.

To get there: From Sisters drive west on Hwy 20 for 5.5 miles and take a right at the sign for Green Ridge/Indian Ford. Stay on Green Ridge Rd ignoring where Indian Ford Rd. takes off to the right. After 4.4 miles take a left onto dirt Rd 1120, follow it one mile and look for the new trail sign on the right hand side of the road. This is the start of the trail, and directly across the road, there is a small loop area to pull in and park. There is a map at the trailhead now, although it is not detailed enough to see all the trail junctions.

The parking area.

The new sign for the trail.

The trail gradually climbs up onto Green Ridge with views of Black Butte at first, and then eventually all of Central Oregon's other mountains will be in your line of sight as you continue to ride north. This is an easy trail and it is a nice one to ride on a hot day since you will be up at about 4800 feet elevation.
The trail is marked with yellow diamonds along the way and for several sections it becomes a dirt road.

Black Butte.

The markers for the Green Ridge Trail.

Three Fingered Jack in the distance.

Mt. Washington.

On some stretches the trail becomes a dirt road.

After riding awhile on the first section of dirt road keep an eye out for the trail taking off to the left again, it is a little faint and hard to spot, so I added some neon green flagging tape to mark it. Update: my flagging is no longer there, and it is not marked at all now, but if you miss it, which you will, just ride to the next road that goes to the left and take that. It is marked with a white and blue polka dotted piece of flag tape and there is a yellow marker lying on the ground.

Snack break on the Green Ridge Trail.

There will be one more junction to the left to look for, this time onto a two track. Again I flagged it since it does not have any other markers and could easily be overlooked.

The trail continues to the left again, this has now got bright pink flagging.

You will then be riding through an old burn area with views of Mt. Jefferson. The trail has been logged out very well and the thick brush has even been chopped back for easier access.

Amber and her impatient horse Zeta posing in front of Mt. Jefferson.

Continue to follow the markers until you reach another road, a new section of trail continues straight, but this is where you take a left, and then very shortly across the next road there will be a gate This is the way into the Green Ridge Fire Lookout which is not to be missed, the views from there are fabulous.

The gate at the road that goes to Green Ridge Lookout. It's blocked on the left now, but you can ride around it on the right.

Hanging out at the lookout.

I usually do this ride in the spring when the lookout is either empty or being rented out.
But in the summer it is staffed with forest service volunteers who are keeping an eye out for fires. We met and talked to the man who was there that day. He enjoyed having some visitors and I told him I had once stayed in the lookout overnight with three friends. He invited me up to get some pictures from the upper deck that literally hangs out into thin air overlooking many miles of forest. It is available for rent in the spring and fall and can be found on Recreation.gov for reservations or by calling 1 877 444 6777.

The friendly forest service volunteer in the lookout.

Far below is the Wizard Falls Fish Hatchery.

Views that go on forever from the lookout.

Mt. Jefferson and Mt. Hood to the far right.

Views over to the Three Sisters from the deck of the lookout.

On our way back out we ran into a large group of teenagers and their adult chaperones that were doing trail clearing work. We chatted with them for awhile and everybody wanted to pet the horses. They were clearing a section that was once a part of the Green Ridge Trail but had been neglected for awhile, and so other routes have been used instead.

Happy Trails!

GPS COORDINATES TO GREEN RIDGE TH