Tire Mountain Trail is a 7.5 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Westfir, Oregon that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from March until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
dogs on leash
birding
hiking
mountain biking
nature trips
trail running
walking
forest
views
wild flowers
wildlife
This easy hike most famous for it's amazing wildflower meadows is best done in the spring. In earlier days, a fire lookout, consisting of a platform on a topped tree and a three-sided shelter on the ground, was located on the large, flat top. Now the trail is best known for it's wildflower meadows. The trail crosses several steep sloped meadows located below rocky outcrops. These provide good views toward the southeast. Wildflowers grow profusely on the top and in the meadows. Best time to hike is early to mid June.
I did the summit via the trail head on the west side, off forest rd 5824. 5824 is off North shore rd, which follows lookout point and the North fork of the Willamette, across the river from hwy 58. It's not recommended to take a passenger car up this rd, but is passable with an AWD or 4x4. It's a cool offroad drive up the mountain. Just follow the "main" rd 5824 without turning off and you can't miss it. You will see a hiker symbol on the left next to a small parking area. From there the hike is 8.7 miles round trip and is an easy to moderate hike. Tons of giant old growth fir and cedars from 3' to 10' in diameter. Great hidden gem on that side, but still not a great view on the summit. Worth it for the trees alone. Great hike!
Loved it!
Zed E.
The Good:
Definitely a trail for wildflowers but offers plenty of variety in scenery as you move between the forest and meadows. Not terribly strenuous at all but an easy going and very enjoyable hike.
Obstacles:
We did have a few friendly encounters with mountain bikes, overall bike traffic was minimal. We encountered a few muddy sections of the trail but nothing serious.
Getting there:
The last 6+ miles of the drive are a constant climb up a single-lane, gravel road with several turn outs. Not at all difficult as long as you slow down and enjoy the surroundings. We had no problem getting there in a minivan.
A fantastic hike for wildflowers! You find them right away at the trailhead, and every turn brings more. We didn't go all the way to the mountain, just to what are referred to as "meadows", which are hillside gardens with many wonderful wildflowers. The second meadow had a mass of Arrowleaf balsamroot, and that was a good point to turn around at.
Lots of mountain bikes, so be careful on the narrow trail
I thought this trail was wonderful. The wildflowers are just starting to bloom. It is easy to follow. It’s a a light moderate, the isn’t a view at the top, but it’s nice to relax and get some sun
Amazing views and open fields on cliff sides. A must see!
Did this hike yesterday. Lots of bikers (which I was fine with). Lots of mosquitos. The trail is a good workout. It's is pretty up and down and if you go all the way to the summit you will have a steep trip for the last bit. There is nothing really to see at the summit, no views. Would only recommend going that far if you wanted a longer hike (at least 8 miles round trip to summit NOT 7) or you wanted to pitch a tent. Very flat up top. If I went again I would stop at the false summit, good views there. Also a nice view of Diamond peak a little ways in.
Loved it here! With the elevation, distance and being on cliff side often, small amounts uphill I'd rate this MODERATE not easy.
We went in June beautiful wild flowers rank to one mother son couple. Otherwise the fields of wildflowers were ours. I choose not to summit to tire mountain since it's completely over grown with views no more. I stayed at the last field of sunflowers and wild cucumber plants with my dog and had lunch. Your way out there. I had my handgun. I would recommend spray or gun. Their was cougar and bear prints and poo. Distinct differences. The broken down bones and the berries, roughage
Beautiful views and easy trail. It should be noted 4.8 miles round trip to the meadows and back. It's more like an 8 mile hike to the summit, which offers no views.
Beautiful wildflowers on the cliffs and nice view of Diamond Peak, Bachelor, Broken Top and South Sister from the trail. Only downside was we continued on to a former lookout climbing over downed trees to no view. My suggestion: turn back at last meadow. Also note this trail is part of a mountain bike AND motorcycle trail.
Well, it poured and poured and poured for 3/4 of the hike, but we still found it enjoyable. The flowers are looking great!
If you're going all the way to the lookout you'll reach a point with a hairpin turn in the trail and then a "Y" - take the high road. I wouldn't recommend the last bit for younger kids, it was slippery and steep in places.
I'm going to attempt to figure out how to add some photos here from the jaunt - until I work it out through they can be seen at www.ladukephoto.zenfolio.com/tiremtn