Trail Overview
Sisters to Trout Creek Butte Trails offers a scenic and enjoyable dirt route for stock SUVs, high-clearance four-wheel-drive vehicles, and SxSs looking to explore the beautiful Deschutes National Forest directly from the charming town of Sisters. This route stands out for its unique, whimsical rock formations reminiscent of a cartoonish canyon landscape, winding through a scenic pine forest before connecting with the Trout Creek Butte trail system. Starting near Sisters High School, offroaders can catch spectacular views of the iconic Three Sisters peaks to the south before diving into the dirt. The route presents a relatively gentle climb, characterized by unpaved forest service roads that transition into narrower, winding paths.
With a technical rating of 3, the trail is generally easy and highly accessible, though a vehicle with at least 30-inch tires or high ground clearance will navigate the terrain most comfortably. Stock all-wheel-drive vehicles can complete the route, but drivers must use careful finesse when negotiating occasional rock gardens that can shift and change from season to season. Be sure to obtain a valid annual forestry permit, which is required to access these public lands. Whether planning a quick day trip or connecting to deeper backcountry trails, this route serves as a perfect, family-friendly gateway to the rugged beauty of Central Oregon.
Difficulty
This is a fairly easy trail for a vehicle with large enough ground clearance(30" tires or larger). If you are trying to do this in a lower vehicle(say stock Subaru), its still possible with some finesse in your driving. Some of the rock gardens you drive through change considerably with the seasons.
