This is not the Grizzly Bear Ridge that leaves from Twin Buttes TH but the other ridge with the same name that runs parallel to Smooth Ridge south and east of Oregon Butte. An old trail traverses this ridge and is still shown on the map at the Teepee Trailhead.
I began at Teepee and hiked a short distance on the Mt Misery Trail east of the Oregon Butte junction where I veered south to meet the ridge. I did not find the trail initially but it shows up from time to time. It has obviously been without maintenance for decades but is still present where not covered in brush and blowdown.
The trail drops down the ridge and eventually meets the Crooked Creek Trail at the confluence of Cougar and Trout Creeks but I did not hike that far down. See attached link for map.
My goal was the 4691 point (4699 per LiDAR) above the confluence of Cougar and Trout Creeks.
I hiked to the 4200' saddle below the peak and up to the summit where I listened to bugling elk in the drainages below before the steep ascent back to the trailhead.
The trail is clear to Oregon Butte and the lookout told me The Mt Misery Trail has been cleared as far as Dunlap Spring. Oregon Butte Spring was not running but the trough was full at the time of my visit.
11 miles RT and 4200' gain.
Length
Elevation Gain
Comments
Oh, cool report; I've always wanted to try this trail! A few years ago I backpacked in near Oregon Butte solo and the only people I saw during my entire trip were on horseback and came up via this old "trail." I have been intrigued by it ever since! (I'm also so curious about where they started from & where they were heading, as they didn't stop to chat. There are so many interesting historic trails down there, though!)
Posted by:
Holly Weiler on Sep 28, 2026 01:37 PM
That must have been quite an adventure for them because the "trail" is mostly non existent at this point, but I didn't spend too much time trying to follow it.It's been fun to explore these ridges and old routes.
Posted by:
RichP on Sep 29, 2026 07:22 AM