Anderson Butte Trail

The Anderson Butte Trail is a 4 mile out-and-back chunk of the Jack-Ash Trail. It’s got a… “Dispersed Camping” vibe.

Driving

– The Anderson Butte Trail is a 45 minute drive from Interstate 5. Take Exit 21 towards Talent. Turn right on Route 99 and then left onto Colver Road. Colver sweeps to the right and at about mile 3 you turn left onto Pioneer Road. You are on Pioneer for a little more than 1 mile and you will turn left on Coleman Creek Road.

In less than 1 mile Coleman Creek road turns to the left but you continue straight. This slightly smaller paved road is Griffin Creek Road. This dead ends into a ‘T’ where you will turn left onto Anderson Butte Road. You are about half way to the trailhead at mile 7 right here but the next 7 miles are uphill on this road that turns to dirt. It’s a well groomed dirt but it’s a little slower going,

This passes the Griffin Gap trailhead and a couple other pull-outs to the right but continue until you see the legit, rock lined, Anderson Ridge TH sign.

Parking

– A dozen dirt spaces however there are no facilities at all.

Hiking

– The most obvious trail heading uphill just to the right of the trailhead sign is… the wrong trail. Look to the left of that trail at the back of the parking area and you will see the sign toward the Griffin Gap trailhead. This is part of the Jack-Ash trail and runs below, and parallel to, the ridge line. Follow this for under 2 miles where you will cross a large, open hillside and the trail will head up and over the ridge.

At this point the trail hairpin turns to the right and is heading downhill through the pines. However, in 20 short yards there is an overgrown trail to your right. Depending upon the year you go (I went last in 2025) there might be some larger trees to scramble over. This tiny trail gets larger as you go and in 14 mile you will be on a regular, albeit overgrown, logging road. In about1/2 mile there is a completely driveable dirt road up to your right. Take this and in a couple hundred yards you will arrive at the summit of Anderson Butte.

Views, views, views and now back down a couple hundred yards to that last turn off. Instead of retracing your steps, turn right and this dirt road heads back along the ridge line parallel to the Jack-Ash trail you took here. This will be about a 1.5 mile section. After about 1.25 miles this dirt road kisses the Anderson Butte Road you drove in on. Don’t get tempted to take it. Instead follow the road to the right and uphill. This shortcut will back to your car.

Unless, of course, the locals are up there target practicing in the large shooting pit at the top of the hill. If you notice they are halfway through a case of Natty Light at 2 in the afternoon. Maybe then take the longcut on Anderson Butte Road instead of this shortcut. It might just keep you from getting butt-shot with some buck shot. Either way, about 4 miles. Boom.