Coffin Lookout Trailhead, Foster OR

Most amazing bang for your buck, short yet steep hike, and incredible views of every mountain around, on a clear day.

Wonderful view of Mt Jefferson and the Cascade mountains, lots of wildflowers in June. Short hike to summit but good elevation gain.

What can you say about the coffin mountain trailhead. It's one of the most beautiful hikes in Oregon with an 1100' incline and beautiful views of Mount Jefferson and the surrounding mountains. The hike is approximately 2.7 miles and it is definitely worth the trip if you live in the Portland Vancouver area. The time to see all of the beargrass is around June and July and we were not disappointed on this trip, as the beargrass was everywhere. You could easily make a day trip out of this if you live in the surrounding area and it doesn't take too long to make the hike and the drive. Make sure you bring a camera because you're going to see some amazing views.

Visited Tuesday 7/22/20, no other cars at TH besides a ranger fire vehicle at 1: 03pm. No bathrooms here, not handicap accessible, no handicap parking and not recommended for handicap nor small children (trail is steep, rocky and steep drop offs). Tiny parking area (5 vehicle's).
Do not follow directions via maps, the first 1168 is closed (this road is by a small pull out/parking area, a little past this on the paved road is a sign with coffin mountain on it.) or there is road work going on, follow the paved road till forest road 11 and go to the second Forrest road 1168 after on the second Forrest 1168 directions are fine, up until then Google will try to get you to go back to the first one, just ignore.
It was mid 80s and hot with lots of bugs (biting flies and mosquitoes included). This was our second hike of the day and I forgot to refill my bladder so I ran out of water before we reached the lookout. Make sure you have enough water. Depending on the time of day there is very little to no shade. There was some nice wind and shade on the way up, but I still sweated a ton. On the way down there was little to no wind, no shade and at the top no wind, no shade.
This is a functional fire lookout, there was a ranger at the lookout working and scanning for fires, though he did tell my friend he was going home that evening.
The trail has very few flat areas most times it's steady incline and then a steep and this is how it goes all the way to the lookout. We did not check out the radio tower on the trail to the left as it was hot! Another day. The Bear grass is out of season, but there are plenty other flowers blooming as well as pretty butterfly's.
2.58 miles w/ 985 ft elevation gain.
We had the trails and lookout all to ourselves, minus the ranger Manning the fire lookout.

One of the TOP FIVE Oregon hikes in my opinion. It is a steady incline 2/3 of the hike. Moderate and steep. Although only 2.7 miles, you gain over 1100 foot elevation. The hike there took 2 hours, the hike down took 30 mintues. Once you are halfway through the hike, it will open with beautiful views of the Santium Wilderness, and FIELDS of beargrass, indian paintbrush, and Sunflowers as far as the eye can see. Biggest wildflower display I have ever seen. The fire tower at the top has 360* views and is the highlight of the hike. There is also a helicopter pad! The first time we drove there, we couldn't find the trailhead, and maps will take you down way rougher gravel roads than necessary. Now that we found it today, I will put directions since nobody else did. First travel down highway 22 to straight creek road (FR11), turn onto straight creek road and drive 4 miles straight, Do NOT turn off anywhere before then. Then turn RIGHT at the fork for gravel road FR1168, and travel down this for 3.7 miles. Trailhead will appear on the right. Enjoy!

Busy place on a summer Saturday. I was lucky to have the summit all to myself. Parking was tight. I took the last legitimate spot. My advice is to go during the week or drive to a more distant secluded trail if you mind crowds.