Mount David Douglas, OR | July 2023

Mount David Douglas is a bushwhack and a beautiful destination, on the way to the upper trailhead for Fuji Mountain by Waldo Lake and Maiden Peak. Combine this with a hike up Fuji (or just do Fuji if you never have; it's got a better trail, beautiful views, 100% one of my favorite SOTA hikes).

With any car (Prius-friendly) as if driving to the Fuji Mountain upper trailhead, drive southeast of Oakridge on ORE-58, and turn north on NF 5882 at 43.6520, -122.2153. Ignore lefts at 43.6837, -122.1941, at 43.6762, -122.1658, and at 43.6767, -122.1588; stop at the next right at 43.6755, -122.1558 and turn south or park.

This road is not so well maintained, but it was recently refurbished so with a little clearance you might be comfortable. I was in no rush, so I didn't push my car to do this one. Head south on this road to gain about 500' in a mile and a half, until you get to about 43.6547, -122.154. This spot doesn't look particularly special, but the forest is pretty open here. Turn right, and head up the mountain, but working your way left to avoid the cliffs below the peak. Midway up the side, you'll encounter thicker trees, but these open out after some pushing to very open forest on the ridge. Turn north along the ridge, and scramble just a little up the rock pile to a comfortable spot to operate, or stay at the bottom and set up HF. The views from the summit are beautiful, and you can see Diamond Peak in snowy glory easy season.

On the way back down, get back down the ridge to about where you gained it, and then keep working your way left of the fall line, but the road extends quite a ways farther.

I think I had service on the summit, but not much.