Pioneer Indian
- 16.0 mi
- round trip
- 3,169 ft
- climb
- 3,128 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- May–Oct
- best months
Is Pioneer Indian open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Hebo Ranger District. It doesn't name Pioneer Indian, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).
Cascade Head Road (FSR 1861) Motor Vehicle Traffic Closure
Agency closure covering Hebo Ranger District · Order 06-12-01-26-03 · USFS · Hebo Ranger District
Homestead Trailhead Closure
Agency closure covering Siuslaw National Forest · Order 06-12-10-26-11 · USFS · Siuslaw National Forest
Sutton Lake Boat Ramp Closure
Agency alert covering Siuslaw National Forest · Order 06-12-10-26-07 · USFS · Siuslaw National Forest
Forest Service Road 1633 Road Closure
Agency alert covering Hebo Ranger District · Order 06-12-01-26-01 · USFS · Hebo Ranger District
As of · Source: USFS · Hebo Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Pioneer Indian is a 16-mile out-and-back hike in the Hebo Ranger District of Siuslaw National Forest in Oregon. The route begins at the Pioneer Indian (Hebo Lake) Trailhead, and it's a serious climb, with a total gain of 3,169 feet over the round trip and a high point of 3,128 feet. The trail is rated hard, and the climb is front-loaded, with the steepest stretch at about 5 miles, where the grade reaches 30 percent. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Laurel Mtn run to highs in the low 70s and only about three wet days a month in July and August. Winters are cold and wet, with highs around 43 degrees and rain on 19 days in December and January. Bikes and horses are both allowed on the trail, which has a natural surface and is not accessible. The trail is open year-round, and the trip is estimated to take about seven hours. The trail starts right next to Hebo Lake Loop and Hebo Lake Campground, both about a tenth of a mile away. Within a few miles are Three Rivers, a canoeing spot, and Castle Rock, a campground.
Local outfitters
- Twin Creeks Beach and Trail Rides8 mi away
- M&R Beach Rides8 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · May–Oct
Best time to visit Pioneer Indian
Best months: May–October. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
43° / 31°
19 wet
Feb
43° / 31°
16 wet
Mar
44° / 31°
18 wet
Apr
48° / 32°
17 wet
May
56° / 39°
12 wet
Jun
61° / 43°
8 wet
Jul
71° / 50°
3 wet
Aug
72° / 51°
3 wet
Sep
67° / 48°
6 wet
Oct
56° / 41°
12 wet
Nov
47° / 34°
17 wet
Dec
42° / 30°
19 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Laurel Mtn, OR, 23.8 mi away at 3,589 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive
Photo: Sam Beebe, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Whalen Island Loop
~14 min drive
1.39-mile loop in Oregon with 212 ft gain and 226 ft loss.
Photo: lumachrome, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Niagra Falls
~14 min drive
2.02-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 471 ft gain and 715 ft loss.
Photo: gary_leavens, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)Salmonberry Trail
~42 min drive
Epic 83.84-mile point-to-point wilderness trek through Oregon's coastal range.
HIKE
Cascade Head
~24 min drive
6-mile out-and-back trail at Cascade Head in Oregon with 654 ft gain.
Photo: Sam Beebe, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Estuary View Trail
~14 min drive
0.77-mile loop trail in Oregon with 175 ft of elevation gain.
Hart's Cove
~26 min drive
5.16-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 1,933 ft gain.
Photo: Sam Beebe, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)Kinnikinnik Woods Trail
~15 min drive
0.99-mile loop in Oregon with 60 ft elevation gain
Cascade Head Trail
~28 min drive
3.29-mile point-to-point trail in Oregon with 2,524 ft elevation gain
Two Rivers Trail
~15 min drive
1.73-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 532 ft elevation gain.
Cape Meares Scenic Trail
~34 min drive
0.81-mile out-and-back trail at Cape Meares with 1,505 ft elevation gain.
Route details
- Distance
- 16.0 mi round trip
- Climbing
- About 3,169 ft
- Starts at
- Pioneer Indian (Hebo Lake) Trailhead (about 1,664 ft)
- Summit
- 3,181 ft
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Time
- About 6.5 hours
Season
Season: Year-round.
Questions about this route
How long is the Pioneer Indian on Mount Hebo?
About 16.0 mi round trip from Pioneer Indian (Hebo Lake) Trailhead (about 1,664 ft).
How much elevation gain is on the Pioneer Indian?
About 3,169 ft of climbing round trip.
How hard is the Pioneer Indian?
It is rated hard.
Where does the Pioneer Indian start?
Pioneer Indian (Hebo Lake) Trailhead (about 1,664 ft).
How long does the Pioneer Indian take?
About 6.5 hours round trip.
When is the best time for the Pioneer Indian?
Year-round.
Conditions and forecast on Mount Hebo
Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.

