Hager Mountain facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Hager Mountain |
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Base-to-summit view of Hager Mountain
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| Highest point | |
| Elevation | 7,189 ft (2,191 m) NAVD 88 |
| Prominence | 1,455 ft (443 m) |
| Geography | |
 Hager Mountain
Location in Oregon
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| Location | Lake County, Oregon, U.S. |
| Topo map | USGS Hager Mountain |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Over 5 million years |
| Mountain type | Silicic lava dome |
| Climbing | |
| Easiest route | Steep road (for government lookout use only) |
| Normal route | Hike |
Hager Mountain is a volcanic mountain in Oregon, in the western United States. It's located in the Fremont–Winema National Forest, south of a small town called Silver Lake. At the top of the mountain, there's a special building called a fire lookout. The United States Forest Service uses this lookout during summer and fall to spot wildfires. You can reach the lookout by hiking on several trails.
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About Hager Mountain's Location
Hager Mountain is found in the Lake County area of Oregon. It sits on the edge of Oregon's high desert region. The mountain is about 10 miles (16 km) south of Silver Lake. The very top of Hager Mountain is 7,189 feet (2,191 m) high.
How Hager Mountain Formed
Hager Mountain is a large lava dome. This means it was created by thick, sticky lava that piled up around a volcanic vent. It formed about 5.9 million years ago. The main rock that makes up the mountain is called Hayes Butte Basalt.
This basalt came from eruptions along a crack in the Earth's surface. When Hager Mountain was forming, lava flowed down its sides and spread out onto the flat lands nearby. These lava flows happened during a time called the Pliocene epoch.
The ground on Hager Mountain today is a mix of fine dirt, gravel, and different kinds of rocks. You can find rocks like basalt, andesite, pumice, and obsidian on the surface.
Plants and Animals of Hager Mountain
Hager Mountain is located east of the Cascade Range mountains. To the west, you'll find forests of ponderosa pine and lodgepole pine. The areas to the north and east of the mountain are drier, like a high desert.
Plants on the Mountain
The middle and lower parts of Hager Mountain are covered in pine forests. Underneath the trees, you'll see low sagebrush. Other shrubs include curl-leaf mountain mahogany and antelope bitterbrush.
Many smaller plants grow on the ground, such as Indian paintbrush, yellow balsamroots, and common yarrow. Common grasses include Idaho fescue and bluebunch wheatgrass. Some western juniper trees also grow on the lower slopes.
Animals Living Here
Hager Mountain and the areas around it are home to many different kinds of wildlife.
Larger animals you might see include black-tailed deer, elk, coyotes, black bears, bobcats, and cougars. Smaller animals include American badgers, porcupines, striped skunks, and different types of jackrabbits and chipmunks.
Many birds live in the forest around Hager Mountain. These include the mountain chickadee, Lazuli bunting, and various sparrows and warblers. You can also find at least three types of woodpeckers: the black-backed woodpecker, white-headed woodpecker, and Lewis's woodpecker. Larger birds like barn owls, great horned owls, red-tailed hawks, and golden eagles also live in the area.
History of Hager Mountain
The Klamath people, who lived in this part of Oregon, called the mountain Chock-chock-lisk-se. This name means "bald faced rock." Some old maps even show the mountain as Bald Mountain. However, early settlers named it Hagerhorst Mountain after a rancher who lived nearby. Over time, the name was shortened to Hager.
The United States Forest Service built a fire lookout on Hager Mountain in 1915. They started using it full-time to watch for fires. The first lookout building was replaced with a new one in 1954. The current lookout is a 14-foot (4.3 m) by 14-foot (4.3 m) room with big glass windows all around. This gives the forest guard a 360-degree view of the area. The Forest Service uses the lookout from June to October each year. There's a dirt road to the top, but it's only for the lookout staff, not for the public.
Fun Things to Do at Hager Mountain
Hager Mountain offers many outdoor activities. In the summer, you can go hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, bird watching, and wildlife viewing. You can also go hunting, camping, and photography.
In the winter, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are popular. However, the weather on the mountain can change very quickly, especially in winter. So, it's important to check the weather forecast before you go.
There are three main hiking trails that lead to the top of Hager Mountain. There's also the Fremont National Recreation Trail.
- The easiest trail is a 2-mile (3.2 km) roundtrip hike. It starts from a road gate on the west side of the mountain. This trail climbs about 785 feet (239 m) and is usually open from June to mid-November.
- A slightly harder trail is 3.3 miles (5.3 km) one way. Its starting point is on the northwest side of the mountain. This trail climbs about 1,710 feet (521 m).
- The longest trail is an 8-mile (12.9 km) roundtrip hike. It starts on the east side of the mountain. This trail climbs about 1,990 feet (607 m).
The two longer trails join up partway to the top. Then they connect to the Fremont National Recreation Trail. This longer trail goes on for about 25 miles (40 km) to Fremont Point and Winter Rim.
From the fire lookout at the top of Hager Mountain, you get amazing views. You can see the Cascade peaks to the west and the high-desert areas to the north and east. On a clear day, you might even see Mount Hood to the north and Mount Shasta to the south!
During the summer wildfire season, a Forest Service guard lives at the Hager Mountain lookout. But visitors are still welcome to stop by. After the fire season ends, from November to May, you can even rent the lookout for your own stay! It has a wood stove for heat, a propane cooking stove, and a propane refrigerator. There's a bed and three sleeping cots. Outside, you'll find a picnic table and an outhouse. Just remember, there's no drinking water available at the site.
