Contact Info
1230 NE 3rd St.
Suite A-262
Bend, OR 97701
- Phone:
- 541-383-4000
Basics
- Length:
- 12.7 miles
- Difficulty:
- Intermediate
- Time:
- 7 - 8 hours
- Trailhead Elevation:
- 5600 feet
- Elevation Range:
- 5600 feet to 7200 feet
- Elevation Change:
- 1600 feet
- Season:
- Summer to Fall
Description
This section of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail is between Windigo Pass (Northwest Forest Pass required) and Emigrant Pass (Summit Lake) and passes through the Oregon Cascades Recreation Area. A large portion of this trail segment closely follows the crest of the Cascades on Cowhorn Mountain. The trail passes within a half mile of the summit (elevation 7664 ft). All that is left of this volcano are several large glacial basins and a half-dozen or so great ridges that radiate away from the peak. Glaciers have succeeded in grinding up almost all of this stratovolcano composed of alternating layers of basaltic lava and volcanic ash and cinders. Cowhorn Mountain in the pioneer days was know as Little Cowhorn to distinguish it from Big Cowhorn, farther south, now known as Mt. Thielsen. It had a peculiar rock spire on its summit making it resemble Mt. Thielsen, and the two peaks were named because of their resemblance to a cow's horns. Many years ago, the pinnacle on Little Cowhorn fell off.
