Dundeel - Sep 27, 2021 10:55 am Date Climbed: Sep 24, 2021
Hot Day on Pearsoll
Drove up from McCaleb Ranch, which is being operated as a Boy Scout Camp. There were lots of people parked in the lot by the river and we didn't see any problems going on. Car camping is not allowed at the lot. The road to Chetco Pass is subaruable if dry. Check dates for the gate.
and no weirdos or car jackers' to report. The highlight of this summit was warily eyeing distant Big Craggies and the challenge it will pose to me later this year.
Paul McClellan - Jul 2, 2017 12:51 pm Date Climbed: Jun 22, 2017
Kalmiopsis Rim Trail
Hiked the Kalmiopsis Rim Trail, which provided expansive views and a welcome breeze on this warm day. Sorry to see so much burned forest on the rim and below in the Wilderness area.
Nick Turtura - May 18, 2013 7:07 pm Date Climbed: May 18, 2013
Lookout Closed Up
I went the Onion Camp route. Hiked in the dark and found the lookout battened down for the winter. The door was unlocked and you could crawl in under the window planks. The lookout was full of tools. So it pretty much served as a place to close my eyes for a few hours. It was kind of a bummer because I was looking forward to seeing the sunrise through the panoramic view windows. I hope they figure out what they're gonna do with that lookout because it seems like it would be really awesome. Btw I didn't go the McCaleb ranch way after talking to some of the local. We should probably just ignore that route all together.
Redwic - Jul 2, 2012 10:08 am Date Climbed: Jul 1, 2012
DO NOT TAKE McCALEB RANCH ROUTE!
Let this tale be a lesson to others. After summiting Mount Bolivar, Brandy Peak, and Grayback Mountain, I had enough daylight to drive to McCaleb Ranch. When I reached the lower parking lot (near the gate), an elderly man with white hair and long beard came out from the ranch above it and told me to leave. He said the parking lot was part of their private property and I had to park in the upper lot & use the footbridge (suspension bridge). He said it was OK for me to car-camp in that upper lot, too. Then his questions became much more pointed and specific, and he seemed like he was trying to dissuade me from doing my Pearsoll Peak trip. I knew that the upper lot would add hiking distance and elevation gain to an already long hike, but I drove to the upper lot without complaining and during the next hour I organized my gear for the next day's hike. One of the first things I noticed was a fresh/clean broken car window on the ground in the upper lot. A car soon arrived at the lower lot, and I could see & hear the elderly man calling down to the driver, asking if he had passed me and my car on the road. About an hour later, after dark (nearly 10:30 PM), I could see & hear the elderly man sending the young 20-something driver and another guy to drive to the upper lot to "check on" me. They quietly drove by with just their parking lights on, and I pretended to be asleep in my car. They parked immediately in front of the large trailhead sign, got out of the car, and just stared at me for a few minutes. By this time, I was already outside of my car and watching them, too. I said, "Oh! I thought I would be the only person up here tonight. I need to go get something" as I walked around them to the trail. The driver asked, "Where is the trailhead at?" I pointed to it, and I knew he intentionally had parked up against its entrance to monitor me. I walked a short distance, grabbed my bike (which I had temporarily stashed next to the trail to help keep it from being stolen), and quickly walked back. The two guys passed me and asked how to get to the footbridge. I kept walking and passed them as I replied, "Just follow this trail for a few switchbacks" as they slowly continued down the trail. I quickly got back to my car, stashed my bike in it, and then I heard the elderly man yelling out from the ranch to the two guys, about me. The last thing I heard him say was, "You know what to do!" and I jumped in my car and drove away. I do not know if they were just sent to the upper lot to harass or intimidate me (or worse), but some sort of shenanigans were going on and I was not staying around to find out.
Fortunately, this was a blessing in disguise. I drove back to Highway 199 and then went to the Kalmiopsis Rim Trailhead near Onion Camp. After sleeping several hours, I began hiking at 3:40 AM. I reached the summit and lookout at 6:40 AM, stayed for 30 minutes, and then headed back. This is a great peak and a nice little lookout (which was being remodeled). I was hoping for outstanding views, but low clouds/fog hindered visibility. However, the entire Kalmiopsis Rim Trail was in excellent condition, and would be a great way to see more of the wilderness. Plus, it is less hiking distance (13.2 miles roundtrip) and elevation gain (2900' cumulative gain) than from McCaleb Ranch. I highly recommend the Kalmiopsis Rim Trail via Onion Camp. Do not even bother with the McCaleb Ranch approach, unless you want to take a chance of shenanigans being pulled on you or your vehicle.
BCJ - Sep 2, 2008 5:48 pm Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2005
Great family spot
Went up with my wife and eight-month-old daughter and stayed in the shelter. Wonderful views and it was fun (and free) to stay in the lookout.
Route Climbed: The road Date Climbed: Sept 25, 2005
I joined Dennis Poulin on saturday night down near the Illinois River. Pearsoll Peak was the last one left on his quest to become the first person to do all of the 73 Oregon Prominence Peaks. We drove up the road in the morning and then hiked the last bit to the top. A bit windy on top and somewhat hazy but a nice day for finishing off the last of the 73.
Dundeel - Sep 27, 2021 10:55 am Date Climbed: Sep 24, 2021
Hot Day on PearsollDrove up from McCaleb Ranch, which is being operated as a Boy Scout Camp. There were lots of people parked in the lot by the river and we didn't see any problems going on. Car camping is not allowed at the lot. The road to Chetco Pass is subaruable if dry. Check dates for the gate.
ericnoel - Sep 24, 2021 9:11 pm Date Climbed: Sep 24, 2021
PearsollDrove up from lower lot near gate and McCaleb ranch area (where many cars were parked without incident) to Chetco Pass. Easy but hot walk from there.
calebEOC - Jul 28, 2017 8:58 pm Date Climbed: Apr 2, 2017
I TOOK THE McCALEB RANCH ROUTEand no weirdos or car jackers' to report. The highlight of this summit was warily eyeing distant Big Craggies and the challenge it will pose to me later this year.
Paul McClellan - Jul 2, 2017 12:51 pm Date Climbed: Jun 22, 2017
Kalmiopsis Rim TrailHiked the Kalmiopsis Rim Trail, which provided expansive views and a welcome breeze on this warm day. Sorry to see so much burned forest on the rim and below in the Wilderness area.
Nick Turtura - May 18, 2013 7:07 pm Date Climbed: May 18, 2013
Lookout Closed UpI went the Onion Camp route. Hiked in the dark and found the lookout battened down for the winter. The door was unlocked and you could crawl in under the window planks. The lookout was full of tools. So it pretty much served as a place to close my eyes for a few hours. It was kind of a bummer because I was looking forward to seeing the sunrise through the panoramic view windows. I hope they figure out what they're gonna do with that lookout because it seems like it would be really awesome. Btw I didn't go the McCaleb ranch way after talking to some of the local. We should probably just ignore that route all together.
Redwic - Jul 2, 2012 10:08 am Date Climbed: Jul 1, 2012
DO NOT TAKE McCALEB RANCH ROUTE!Let this tale be a lesson to others. After summiting Mount Bolivar, Brandy Peak, and Grayback Mountain, I had enough daylight to drive to McCaleb Ranch. When I reached the lower parking lot (near the gate), an elderly man with white hair and long beard came out from the ranch above it and told me to leave. He said the parking lot was part of their private property and I had to park in the upper lot & use the footbridge (suspension bridge). He said it was OK for me to car-camp in that upper lot, too. Then his questions became much more pointed and specific, and he seemed like he was trying to dissuade me from doing my Pearsoll Peak trip. I knew that the upper lot would add hiking distance and elevation gain to an already long hike, but I drove to the upper lot without complaining and during the next hour I organized my gear for the next day's hike. One of the first things I noticed was a fresh/clean broken car window on the ground in the upper lot. A car soon arrived at the lower lot, and I could see & hear the elderly man calling down to the driver, asking if he had passed me and my car on the road. About an hour later, after dark (nearly 10:30 PM), I could see & hear the elderly man sending the young 20-something driver and another guy to drive to the upper lot to "check on" me. They quietly drove by with just their parking lights on, and I pretended to be asleep in my car. They parked immediately in front of the large trailhead sign, got out of the car, and just stared at me for a few minutes. By this time, I was already outside of my car and watching them, too. I said, "Oh! I thought I would be the only person up here tonight. I need to go get something" as I walked around them to the trail. The driver asked, "Where is the trailhead at?" I pointed to it, and I knew he intentionally had parked up against its entrance to monitor me. I walked a short distance, grabbed my bike (which I had temporarily stashed next to the trail to help keep it from being stolen), and quickly walked back. The two guys passed me and asked how to get to the footbridge. I kept walking and passed them as I replied, "Just follow this trail for a few switchbacks" as they slowly continued down the trail. I quickly got back to my car, stashed my bike in it, and then I heard the elderly man yelling out from the ranch to the two guys, about me. The last thing I heard him say was, "You know what to do!" and I jumped in my car and drove away. I do not know if they were just sent to the upper lot to harass or intimidate me (or worse), but some sort of shenanigans were going on and I was not staying around to find out.
Fortunately, this was a blessing in disguise. I drove back to Highway 199 and then went to the Kalmiopsis Rim Trailhead near Onion Camp. After sleeping several hours, I began hiking at 3:40 AM. I reached the summit and lookout at 6:40 AM, stayed for 30 minutes, and then headed back. This is a great peak and a nice little lookout (which was being remodeled). I was hoping for outstanding views, but low clouds/fog hindered visibility. However, the entire Kalmiopsis Rim Trail was in excellent condition, and would be a great way to see more of the wilderness. Plus, it is less hiking distance (13.2 miles roundtrip) and elevation gain (2900' cumulative gain) than from McCaleb Ranch. I highly recommend the Kalmiopsis Rim Trail via Onion Camp. Do not even bother with the McCaleb Ranch approach, unless you want to take a chance of shenanigans being pulled on you or your vehicle.
BCJ - Sep 2, 2008 5:48 pm Date Climbed: Aug 3, 2005
Great family spotWent up with my wife and eight-month-old daughter and stayed in the shelter. Wonderful views and it was fun (and free) to stay in the lookout.
Dean - Oct 7, 2005 12:30 am
Route Climbed: The road Date Climbed: Sept 25, 2005I joined Dennis Poulin on saturday night down near the Illinois River. Pearsoll Peak was the last one left on his quest to become the first person to do all of the 73 Oregon Prominence Peaks. We drove up the road in the morning and then hiked the last bit to the top. A bit windy on top and somewhat hazy but a nice day for finishing off the last of the 73.
Congratulations Dennis.