A Beginners Guide To Conquering The Bessie Butte Trail

On the Bessie Butte Trail, the cinder cone rises 500 feet high, just southeast of Bend.

Bend is an adventurer’s paradise. The Central Oregon hub is the gateway to the high desert. To the west towers Mt. Bachelor, to the north Tumalo Falls cascades nearly 100 feet, and the great Deschutes River winds its way through Bend’s city center.

For those taking new interest to the great outdoors, the Bessie Butte Trail is a great place to start. The Bessie Butte cinder cone, a mere 12 miles southeast of Bend, is linked to the Newbury Caldera just south of where it lies and rises 500 feet from the base floor.

Hiking to its summit and back requires a 1.5 mile roundtrip walk-up ascending 500 feet. Due to forest fires in 2003 and 2007, the summit is a little bald these days and charred trees tell the tale of the devastation Bessie Butte has endured. However, it is still an excellent viewpoint for sunrises and sunsets and the prime location for beginner hikers to make their mark on the world.

For those ready to conquer the Bessie Butte Trail, here are some good tips to remember to ensure a successful hike.

Always bring more water than you think you need

It is dangerous to become dehydrated during a hike—you could develop a headache, dizziness or lightheadedness, muscle cramps, tiredness, or worse—yet many hikers, no matter their expert level, seem to not carry enough water.

On average, a hiker will consume approximately two gallons of water per day when the temperature is around 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Though that kind of heat is rare in Oregon, it still happens and it’s best to be prepared. Camelbak provides a variety of resources to help comfortably store water; remember, it’s better to overestimate than underestimate.

Pack a snack

Though the Bessie Butte Trail is not the longest of hikes, it’s always good to pack some food. Trail mix, Clif bars, jerky and fruit are all great options that are lightweight and will give you the energy boost your body needs to reach the summit and marvel at the spectacular view.

Check the weather forecast

The weather in Oregon can never seem to make up its mind, so make sure to check the forecast both the day (or a couple days) before your hike and also the morning of your trek. This will help you dress and pack accordingly, although it is always good to bring extra clothing in case conditions become severe.

Wear the right shoes and socks

There is nothing worse than hiking with the wrong shoes. Your feet will thank you if you invest in some high quality shoes and socks, and you will be happy when you’ve completed your first big hike without blisters. That being said, it is always best to carry blister dressings just in case.

Tell someone where you will be

Letting others know where you will be is crucial, even if you are hiking with a partner. Contact someone you’re close to and tell them your itinerary and come up with a “worry time” where they should call for help if they haven’t heard from you. Make sure this time is several hours after you expect to finish the hike, as distractions and overestimations tend to arise.

Now that you’re prepared, get out there and conquer the Bessie Butte Trail!

landscape with balloons floating in the air

KEEN TO EXPLORE THE WORLD?

Connect with like-minded people on our premium trips curated by local insiders and with care for the world

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.