"Started up Cole Trail but it was too icy to be safe and I left the traction in the car so skipped over to the road which was also icy but not dangerous. Rest of the trip was pretty straight forward with some snow drifts holding onto the shady areas and mud where the snow has melted. Great day with my best bud." — oregon-mt-goat • Jan 16, 2022

"Second training hike for Kilimanjaro in February (spots available - hit me on the Twit) super windy on this day had to take shelter in one of the abandoned radio shacks on the summit." — oregon-mt-goat • Oct 16, 2016

"Had attempted this last year from Smith Rock State Park but got turned around by bad weather at the saddle. It was my birthday today, so we took care of some unfinished business by driving to our previous turn around point and hiking from there. Just about 2 miles to the top and a little more than 1,000 feet vertical. Great views the whole way. Counted 15 different wildflowers. Saw no other hikers and just one mountain biker coming down in a bad mood, presumably due to a flat tire. To take this route, turn off at Skull Hollow campground and follow FS Road 5710 to the first junction which will be FS 5720. Make a left and follow FS 5720 to the saddle. Some nice primitive campsites up on the saddle if you want to stay the night. Besides the summit, you can also hike Coles Loop trail around Gray Butte, take the "Gray Butte Trail" to Smith Rock, or take a primitive road through Sherwood Canyon to the Monkey Face (west) side of Smith Rock." — bearsnob • Jun 13, 2011