Howlock Mountain Loop, located in the Mt. Thielsen Wilderness near Diamond Lake, is a spectacular ride! It features green meadows, a vast pumice plain, a burbling creek, and close-up views of craggy volcanic peaks. And it’s just one of several fabulous rides you can experience from Howlock Mountain Trailhead.
The Back Story
At 8,351 feet, Howlock Mountain is probably the highest volcanic peak in Oregon that nobody has heard of. It was named after a warring Paiute Indian chief whose 1860s-era exploits were well known in the area. Howlock Mountain is part of the Sawtooth Ridge that extends north from Mt. Thielsen. The minute you see it, you’ll see why it’s called Sawtooth Ridge.
The Ride
Pick up the Howlock Mountain Trail on the east side of the Howlock Mountain Trailhead. The ride follows the Howlock Mountain Trail, the Pacific Crest Trail, and the Thielsen Creek Trail to create a fun lollipop loop.
You’ll ride beside the lush Timothy Meadows, along pretty Thielsen Creek, through shady old-growth forest, and across the fascinating Howlock Meadows pumice plain.
From several vantage points along the trail, you’ll have views of Mt. Thielsen’s jagged pinnacle. And Howlock Mountain itself is an impressive sight.
When you reach the intersection of the Pacific Crest Trail and the Howlock Mountain Trail, turn right off the PCT and ride up into the trees. In a short distance, you’ll come out in the meadow at the foot of Howlock Mountain. Since you’re riding off the trail here, please don’t ride single file. Spread out so that everyone in your party goes a slightly different way, so you don’t create a trail to the meadow. And if the meadow is wet, keep your horses in the trees, so they don’t damage the fragile meadow vegetation.
The Howlock Mountain Loop is just one of several fabulous rides you can do from Howlock Mountain Trailhead. Don’t miss this place!
The Camping
Howlock Mountain Trailhead has two campsites with hitching rails, a large paved parking area, and a vault toilet, but no water or corrals. If you choose, you can rent a corral (with water) for your horse at the adjacent Diamond Lake Corrals, the rental-horse concession for Diamond Lake Resort. Reservations for the corrals are a must.
Learn More
You’ll find more information about the trails out of the Howlock Mountain Trailhead in Riding Southern Oregon Horse Trails by Kim McCarrel, available at www.nwhorsetrails.com.
