Oregon · Hiking

Steins Pillar

Steins PillarPhoto: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)
3.6 mi
round trip
1,249 ft
climb
4,563 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Steins Pillar open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Ochoco National Forest. It doesn't name Steins Pillar, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Ochoco National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Steins Pillar is a 3.6-mile out-and-back hike in the Lookout Mountain Ranger District of Ochoco National Forest in Oregon, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is rated moderate, with a total elevation gain of 349 feet. The route starts at about 4,360 feet and climbs to 4,563 feet, with the steepest stretch around 0.44 miles in at a grade of 22%. Bikes are allowed, and the surface is natural. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Grizzly weather station show July highs around 84°F with only about four wet days, while winter brings highs in the low 40s and a few snowy days a month. Steins Overlook, a climbing area, is about a mile away, and Giddy-Up-Go and Giddy-Up-Go Tie are hikes within 3 miles. Wildcat Campground is about 4 miles off.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Steins Pillar

    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.

    1. Jan

      42° / 23°

      10 wet · 2 snow

    2. Feb

      45° / 23°

      9 wet · 2 snow

    3. Mar

      51° / 25°

      10 wet · 1 snow

    4. Apr

      57° / 27°

      10 wet

    5. May

      66° / 33°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      73° / 37°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      84° / 41°

      4 wet

    8. Aug

      83° / 41°

      3 wet

    9. Sep

      75° / 36°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 30°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      48° / 26°

      11 wet · 1 snow

    12. Dec

      41° / 22°

      11 wet · 3 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Grizzly, OR, 17.7 mi away at 3,635 ft. The station sits about 900 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Giddy-Up-GoPhoto: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Giddy-Up-Go

~5 min drive

7.17-mile loop in Oregon with 1,711 ft elevation gain and loss.

Mother Lode Mine Trail #808APhoto: AndreyZharkikh, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Mother Lode Mine Trail #808A

~23 min drive

2.36-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 827 ft elevation gain and loss.

HIKE

Giddy-Up-Go Tie

~5 min drive

3.00-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 734 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Green Mountain Trail

~7 min drive

15.36-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 2,930 ft elevation gain and loss.

Independent MinePhoto: AndreyZharkikh, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Independent Mine

~23 min drive

Historic 14.55-mile out-and-back mining trail in Oregon.

BaneberryPhoto: AndreyZharkikh, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Baneberry

~23 min drive

1.58-mile out-and-back trail to Baneberry waterfall in Oregon.

HIKE

Belknap

~11 min drive

4.60-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 1,651 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Wildcat Trail

~11 min drive

8.48-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 1,975 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Twin Pillars

~10 min drive

12.16-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 2,173 ft gain

Baneberry TrailPhoto: AndreyZharkikh, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Baneberry Trail

~24 min drive

Baneberry Trail is a 0.32-mile point-to-point trail in Oregon.