Rabbit Ears (Menagerie)

Overview

Rabbit Ears are volcanic plugs from the "Old Cascades" located within the Menagerie Wilderness. There are about two dozen significant spires (volcanic plugs) located within the wilderness. All of these spires/routes are adventure climbs with the easiest routes typically being in the 5.7 to 5.8 range on very loose rock with significant runouts. Rabbit Ears are twin pillars with each free standing spire being about 300 ft tall. The only routes to the top are technical climbs that see very few ascents, so keep in mind these climbs are not for the casual 5.8 leader. That said these routes offer some of the most satisfying climbs in Oregon on free standing pillars that are only rivaled by the desert towers of Utah.

Getting There

All the rock formations are located within the Menagerie wilderness which is located east of Sweet Home on Hwy 20, just east of Cascadia State Park. Travel east on Hwy 20 from I-5 - the turn off for Albany and Lebanon Exit 233 - Drive east of Sweet home 15 miles until you see Cascadia Sate Park

You can hike up from Hwy 20, see Rooster rock page, or....

Seasonally (July 31-January 15) you can approach from the north via 13 miles of logging roads. From Hwy 20 turn North on road 2027 2.5 miles east of Cascadia State Park. Travel nearly 10 miles then turn right on road 850. The route into the Menagerie used to continue on 850 but a large land slump during the exceedingly wet winter of 96-97 has caused an alternative approach and new trail to be built. About 1/2 mile up 850, stay straight ahead instead of taking a hard right turn. The road becomes 857 follow this about a mile and turn right on 856 through a large white gate. Another 7/10 mile will bring you to a landing where the top of north Rabbit ear can be seen. You can still approach by parking at the slump and hiking in on 850, it just adds about 15 minutes to your trip. From the wilderness sign board .......... Hike south up the trail from road 850 for about 1/4 mile, just before heading into big timber a small path will lead east along the side of an old clear-cut. Look for a small trail heading east just at the edge of a mini meadow. Follow this trail east for about 300 yards, then head south into a clearing, then head south east downhill to what looks like the head of a canyon - this next section is steep, but you should be able to find signs of a trail. Head south east until you pass Panorama Point - a large rock formation on your right, at this point you will first spot the rabbit ears, head to the notch between them and look up for the route.

Red Tape

The North trailhead is free, as it is so far from the normal trailhead into the wilderness, but 15 miles of gravel roads are required to reach it. There is a gate about 3 miles from the parking area that is locked from Jan until July 31 for nesting birds. The trail heads to the Rooster Rock require NW forest Pass.

When To Climb

Aug 1 until Jan 15 (or when the rains come) . After Jan 15 the area is closed due to nesting birds.

Camping

The closest "civilized" campsite is Cascadia State Park. There are plenty of spots (uncivilized - as in no ammenities) off of any forest service road on the way up to the start of the north trail head. The parking area for the start of the hike makes a great place to camp with great views of the Rabbit Ears and some of the other rock formations in the area.

Mountain Conditions

Local Ranger districts--but they usually don't have any information on the climbing in the Menagerie.

Images

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