Paulina Peak hike

Find the trailhead to the right of the visitor center. Once you start hiking you will enter a stunning forest, where the path will continue without gaining a significant amount of elevation for the first mile or so. The real climbing begins after you cross over the road, which goes to the summit.

The trail will get steeper and there are switchbacks. After more climbing you will reach the first outlook of the hike where there are fantastic views of the craggy side of the summit.

As you continue climbing, the number of switchbacks will increase. You will enter a sparsely forested section reminiscent of the high alpine glades of Jasper National Park in the Canadian Rockies. Finally, you will crest a ridge and enter the subalpine bowl that surrounds the summit.

When we completed the hike in late June after a large snowfall we encountered snow here, so be warned. Our group ended up bushwhacking the last mile or so up to the summit, visible across the bowl. Hence the map’s track may be slightly off.

Summiting Paulina Peak is slightly anticlimactic since you can drive up during the summer. However, the emotional reward of knowing that you earned the summit is good enough for most people! From the top you will be able to see Broken Top and the Three Sisters, as well as Jefferson Peak and Mt. Hood in the far distance.

Return the way you came.

Would you like to try an easier hike around Bend? Check out the Tumalo Falls.