Barrett Spur (Mt. Hood), Oregon – Northwest Wildflowers

Wildflower Destinations > High Cascades (Oregon)

Barrett Spur (Mt. Hood)

Hood River County, Oregon

Mt. Hood National Forest

Fees: none (from Vista Ridge)

Activity: hiking

Elevation: 4500'-7400'

Current status (as of 2/22/25): not blooming

Notes: The alpine rock gardens on the exposed slopes below Barrett Spur are at their peak bloom when the Timberline Trail is still snow-covered. You can add this hike onto a Vista Ridge excursion in late June or early July if you want to see the alpine flowers — or later if you just want an incredible up-close view of Mt. Hood.

Peak wildflower bloom at Barrett Spur is typically from mid-June through the end of July, but there may be some flowers blooming from late May until late August.*

Typical year:

Info links:

OregonHikers Field Guide

Photo albums: 2024, 2021, 2017, 2014, 2012, 2008, 2005

NWS weather forecast

Wildflowers in this area:

WildflowerSearch.org

iNaturalist observations

Consortium of PNW Herbaria

Featured plants: Phlox hendersonii, Castilleja rupicola, Smelowskia ovalis

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* The dates given on this Web site for each location's blooming season are only estimates and can vary from year to year. Weather conditions in the winter and spring can shift these dates by up to a month, especially in the mountains. For the latest updates, check the Oregon Wildflowers or PortlandHikers Facebook groups, or browse the most recent postings to iNaturalist or Instagram.