Grayback Mountain (7,055 feet)

Josephine County’s highest peak barely pokes up above Big Sugarloaf Mountain between Pickett Mountain and Bluie, if you are high enough in northwest Grants Pass. From Sexton Summit on I-5, you can see far more of it. Big Sugarloaf has an elevation of 6,660 feet and is located about one mile north of Grayback.

Hiking trails Rating (Out of 5): 4.5 Location: Near Applegate, Ore. Distance: From lower trailhead, 3.6 miles round-trip to Grayback Meadows, 5.8 to summit. From upper trailhead, 2.6 miles to Grayback Meadows, 4.8 to summit. Open for hiking: June to November Difficulty: Moderate to Grayback Meadows; difficult to summit Camping: Yes Quick hit: This glorious trail weaves through an old-growth forest before stopping at Grayback Meadows, which during the early spring is packed with a bright array of wildflowers and views of the Applegate Valley. The lower trailhead adds a mile to the hike, but follows a nice little stream and so, if you’re up to it, it's worth the extra effort. In the Grayback Meadows area there is a snow survey cabin that’s worth checking out, along with the charred remains of the Krause Cabin, which burned down in 2002. Reaching the summit requires a little more work, a map and compass. From Grayback Meadows, follow a gap in the cliffs uphill northwest. Eventually, you’ll cross over Boundary Trail, so from that point continue scrambling (no actual trail is present) for .7 miles about one mile up roughly 900 feet to a summit that’s marked by stacked rocks. The views are outstanding and take in the ocean and surrounding valleys. Directions: Follow Highway 238 south of Grants Pass for 11.5 miles to the green bridge over the Applegate, just before the town of Applegate. At the bridge turn south on Thompson Creek Road for 11.9 miles. Where pavement ends at a pass, turn sharply to the right past an “O’Brien Creek Trail” sign onto Road 1005. Follow this gravel road 2.3 miles to the lower O’Brien Creek trailhead on the left. Stop here for access to the lower trailhead. Continue another 1.7 miles uphill to the upper trailhead. From the upper trailhead, the trail begins along an old roadbed. Click here for more hikes in the area