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Misery Ridge Loop

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Difficult Difficult
 4.8 (58)
  1. Areas
  2. OR
  3. …Central Oregon
  4. …Terrebonne
  5. Smith Rock State Park
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“The most popular route in Smith Rock State Park. ”

Dallas R
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Map Key

4.1

Miles

6.5

KM

Loop

3,288' 1,002 m

High

2,624' 800 m

Low

911' 278 m

Up

911' 278 m

Down

9%

Avg Grade (5°)

63%

Max Grade (32°)

Dogs Leashed

Features River/Creek · Views

Overview

This route joins several segments of the Misery Ridge Trail, Mesa Verde Trail, and River Trail to make a loop. You'll go up the ridge, down the back side, past Monkey Face Pinnacle, join the Mesa Verde trail, and eventually the River Trail which takes you around the south end of the Smith Rock Group along the river.

Need to Know

$5 parking fee without Oregon State Park Pass. The machines like $5 bills, will take $10 bills but returns Susan B Anthony $1 coins. Change at the visitor center. Credit Card accepting machine in campground parking lot.

Description

The trail actually starts at the bridge. There are three ways to get to the bridge. The Canyon/Chute Trail from the main parking lot; The Rope De Dope Trail from the bivouac; and the Homestead Trail from the north point parking lot.

Traveling this route, you get to climb to the highest overlook on Misery Ridge. Going down the backside, you'll pass a volcanic bubble which you can crawl inside. From inside, you can take pictures out the "window." From here, you'll continue passed the Monkey Face Pinnacle, and then travel along the scenic Crooked River on the River Trail.

Oftentimes this loop is done backwards, starting along the River Trail then heading up the loose pebble switchbacks along Mesa Verde on the west side of Misery Ridge trail. Then, use the stair system to make your descent back to the valley floor. Along the canyon floor, you'll get up close to the eon long war between the pyroclastic welded tuft, the intrusive rhyolite, the volcanic basalt flow, and the sculptures knife, the Crooked River.

This route is popular because you get to see all of the best that Smith Rock State Park has to offer.

Contacts

Land Manager: Oregon State Parks

Shared By:

Dallas R
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.8 from 58 votes

#1

in Smith Rock State Park

#156

Overall
  4.8 from 58 votes
5 Star
79%
4 Star
19%
3 Star
2%
2 Star
0%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Smith Rock State Park

#2

in Oregon

#156

Overall
9 Views Last Month
8,315 Since Jul 1, 2015
Difficult Difficult
0%
0%
13%
13%
71%
2%
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Photos

Smith Rock State Park
May 27, 2015 near Terrebonne, OR
View from the trail area.
Jun 3, 2023 near Terrebonne, OR
No misery! Pure bliss!
Mar 25, 2016 near Terrebonne, OR
View from the trail area.
Jun 3, 2023 near Terrebonne, OR
View from the trail area
Jun 3, 2023 near Terrebonne, OR
Looking South at Smith Rock Group from River Trail
May 21, 2015 near Terrebonne, OR

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Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 50 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Sep 27, 2024
Haley Hibbs
Technical terrain up and down but so Worth it! — 3h 30m
Jun 1, 2024
Claire Milligan
4.6mi — 2h 30m
Mar 2, 2024
yuj m
Jun 3, 2023
Stewart Carnes
Mar 17, 2023
Lane B
Apr 2, 2022
Mark Lee
6mi — 2h 14m
Feb 27, 2022
Karson Maitland
Hiked with Alyssa and was ridiculously miserable 6.6mi
Feb 23, 2022
Andrii Khmelkov

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