Distance (round-trip)
2.2 mi
Time
1 hrs
Elevation Gain
500 ft
Season
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
Weather
–
2.2 mi
1 hrs
500 ft
Spring
Summer
Fall
Winter
–
The Willamette Valley teems with close-at-hand hikes, and the Eugene-Springfield area is no exception. With more than 12 miles of interconnected paths across swathes of hilly forestland, the Ridgeline Trail system is a favorite of locals and visitors alike. You can choose to start from one of seven trailheads, and it’s easy to tailor your hike to the length and difficulty level you’re looking for (in my opinion, the most fun is the highest point in the system, Spencer Butte). Best of all, though: if you’re starting from Eugene, the Ridgeline trails take no more than a 20-minute drive to reach.
You’ll definitely want to give the 2,065-foot Spencer Butte a try, but if you’re looking for a milder hike, Mount Baldy can offer you views of the city without too much of a struggle on your part. The hike starts at the Dillard East Trailhead. Although it begins with a transmission tower and a highway, you quickly leave their presence as you head up the hill into the happy embrace of trees and undergrowth.
You’ll climb through some nicely shaded path, surrounded by characteristic Pacific Northwest greenery. Keep an eye out for Pacific madrone trees, with their papery, auburn-colored bark and waxy leaves, and of course, plenty of evergreens. You don’t have to wait long to glimpse your first view of the city, about a quarter mile into the hike.
The trail meanders upwards, and you’ll encounter a slightly steep part before emerging into the openness of the top, only a half mile from the trailhead.
You can catch views on both sides of the hill, from the rural countryside of north Lane County to the more urban landscape of Eugene proper.
At this point you can choose to go back to the parking lot, or continue to explore the backside of Mount Baldy on a trail that continues on for another half mile. The meadow-like views on the top give way again to shaded dampness and the familiar low light of a dense Oregon forest. You’ll follow the trail’s mild twists and turns, catching a few more views of the valley below (and rainbows, if you’re lucky) to remind you that you’re on a hilltop.
Eventually, the trail ends abruptly at the doorstep of a paved neighborhood, which is the Spring Boulevard Trailhead of the Ridgeline Trail. You can retreat back into nature and retrace your steps as you once again summit Mount Baldy. From the top, either go back the way you came or choose the slightly less direct mountain bike route – a gravel path that provides new views of the scenery below and usually isn’t too crowded with cyclists. In the fall, you also get the added pleasure of trees turning red and yellow in the late afternoon sunlight.
The trail to the top of Mount Baldy is incredibly well-maintained, with the trail resembling a traditional dirt trail on the backside, but still easily navigable. The alternate route back offers a gravel path that's pleasant to walk on and offers a great option for mountain bikes.
From South Willamette Street in Eugene, take Donald Street to East 33rd Avenue. Turn right onto East Amazon Drive and stay on Amazon for .5 miles, then turn left onto Dillard Road. Follow Dillard Road for 2.6 miles, then the Dillard East Trailhead of the Ridgeline Trail will be on your left with a small parking lot.
With recent wildfire damage and ongoing waves of COVID-19 infections and restrictions, National Forest, National Park, and other public land closures, restrictions, or social distancing guidelines may be in-effect.
If infection rates are on the rise, please do your best to remain local for your hikes. If you do travel, please be mindful of small gateway communities and avoid as much interaction as you can. Also remember to be extra prepared with supplies so you don't have to stop somewhere outside your local community for gas, food, or anything else.
Please be sure to contact the local land management agency BEFORE you head out, as these conditions are likely to change without enough notice for us to fully stay on top of them. Thanks, and stay safe!
Click here to read the current CDC guidelines for traveling during the COVID-19 pandemic.