Bonney Butte via Boulder Lake Trail #463(edit)

Overview

Bonney Butte serves as an important site for raptor counts and banding during the fall migration by HawkWatch International. Driving to the base of Bonney Butte is recommended to access the site, but the road is rocky and may pose difficulties for low-clearance cars.

From the trailhead, hikers should find the forest road across from it and pass through a closed green gate. There is a junction: turning right leads to a restroom and the volunteer campground, while going straight leads to the Observation and Birding Site. The surrounding forest consists of lodgepole pine, western white pine, Douglas-fir, noble fir, and mountain hemlock. Views of Badger Butte, Bonney Meadows, Echo Point, and the White River valley can be enjoyed along the way.

As hikers ascend near the ridge's crest, the forest mix includes subalpine fir. The road eventually reaches the old lookout site, where master birders conduct raptor banding and maintain tally sheets. Various raptor species, from golden eagles and vultures to red-tailed hawks, Cooper's hawks, and sharp-shinned hawks, can be observed taking advantage of updrafts along the ridgelines. Bird banding takes place using mist nets, and sometimes banded birds are brought back for examination by observers at the lookout site.

After spending time at the top of Bonney Butte, families can enjoy a short adjunct hike by walking or driving 0.3 miles down FR 4891 to the turnoff for the Bonney Meadows Forest Camp. From there, trails can be followed to loop around Bonney Meadows and eventually return to FR 4891. Walking back along the road leads back to the starting point, allowing for a pleasant additional hiking experience.

Visiting Bonney Butte offers an opportunity to witness raptor migration, enjoy scenic views, and explore the surrounding area through short adjunct hikes.

Getting Started

Drive Highway 26 east to Sandy. From the last traffic light in Sandy, drive 30.9 miles on Hwy 26 through Government Camp to the junction with Highway 35.

Go right on 35 for Hood River and drive 6.5 miles before bearing right for Mt. Hood Meadows Ski Resort and Bennett Pass Sno-Park.

After 0.2 miles, turn right for Bennett Pass Sno Park. Drive through the parking area and reach a gravel road, FR 4891.

After 1.0 miles, keep left at a junction.

After another 0.3 miles keep right at another unmarked junction.

After 0.5 miles, keep left.

The road becomes worse and from this last junction, it’s another 2.4 miles, which includes the rocky Terrible Traverse, to the junction with the road for Camp Windy and Badger Lake.

From here, it’s 0.9 miles to a couple of parking pullouts on the left side of the road.

To get to the top of Bonney Butte, you will walk up a gated road on the right side.