Substitute Point via Foley Ridge Trail

This is a viewless hike until you reach Substitute Point. You are then rewarded with an amazing view.

From the trailhead (#3511) you will travel 4.3 miles on an unmaintained trail into the Three Sisters Wilderness to the junction of Substitute Point. The trail has lots of fallen trees you must climb over or go under or around. The trail is viewless as you walk under a mountain hemlock canopy. If you time it right, the forest may be littered with bear grass flowers, but with those flowers expect lots of mosquitoes. And I mean a lot.

When you reach the trail split, take the right fork. There should be a sign. From there it's only 0.7 miles up to an old fire lookout station that has been removed. The view from here is amazing, including the Husband Mountain and South Sister. Behind the Husband are Middle and North Sister. To the south of South Sister you can see the snowboard/ski run of Mt Bachelor, a great outdoor playground. To the north you have views of Mt Washington, Three Fingered Jack and Mt Jefferson. You can also see the Three Pyramids (see my write-up on the Middle Pyramid). The closest peak to your North is Proxy Point, home to the water source of the famous Proxy Falls. To the south you can see a snow covered Diamond Peak (if you go in early summer). Looking back to the SE you can see a body of water, Kidney Lake.

Be sure look for the U.S. Geological Survey marker - it's bright and gold. I love the history of our wilderness and its discoveries. Please respect the places you visit and keep them looking the way you found them. Have a great time exploring the Outbound. 

Getting there: To find the trailhead, take the McKenzie Highway 126 to Foley Ridge Rd (2643). Follow the road 11.3 miles to the end, where there are signs to the TH. Be sure not to park in the turn around. Some people pull horse trailers up there and need the room to turn around.