Activation Reports

4536 is one of those remote 2-point summits way out by Table Rock and the Molalla River Corridor that takes a while to get to. Plan 2.5+ hours from Portland, each way. I would combine this with Baty Butte to make it worth your time.

Baty Butte is a 4-point summit on BLM land up the Molalla River Corridor in Clackamas County, OR. It hadn't been activated in a while and had no writeup so after the fires of 2020, there was some uncertainty about access and condition.

Getting there: Access is relatively easy if your car has okay ground clearance. I got there in a Subaru Forester without difficulty. Drive up Forest Service road 25 to the intersection with 2565. There is some erosion to the road bed that might create a problem for a Prius. The two worst spots are near the intersection with road 25. Everything is clear past those two points. As of Summer 2026, vegetation is beginning to encroach on the road corridor but I avoided pinstripes. About a mile up, the road splits in three directions. Keep the summit to your right as you proceed.

The road up Fish Creek to this summit is closed. Looks like the area is closed as well per sign.

The gate for this trailhead has moved yet again, back to Road 60 (aka Carson Guler Rd). This makes the hike to the summit about 3.5 miles one way, all of it on forest road. Much of the road is covered in crushed rock, presumably to help maintain it for logging truck access.

The day I hiked it (29-Jun-2026), the weather at the trailhead was pleasantly overcast. But by the time I reached the summit, I was in the clouds with no view, and the wind was gusting pretty fiercely.

I figured I would provide a summer time update to NS7P's write up. Directions are the same, but cell coverage in this area of the coast has improved and Goodle Maps should have no problem routing to "Dry Lake Horsecamp Trailhead" off of Oregon Coast Highway. The Trailhead has plenty of parking and a pit toilet. There are also fenced areas for your livestock. 

Getting There

This is a pretty easy drive-up summit for most cars, although it gets a little steep and narrow at times so AWD and a little clearance doesn't hurt. 

Google Maps directions that have you entering from the north (Sherman Valley Road) have been correct on several visits. I can't speak to the directions Google gives from the south.

In the attached picture, I've parked at the green X and walked up hill 200-300 feet and turned right at the Y in the road, which brings you into the activation zone.

1.7 miles; +1,218 feet; -0 feet

Note:  This is on the Fish Creek Wildlife Management Area and a Montana Conservation (fishing) license is required.

Driving Portion:

From the Fish Creek I-90 Exit (Exit 66) east of Superior:

0.6 miles; +481 feet; -6 feet

Note:  This is on State DNRC lands and a Montana Conservation (fishing) license is required.

Driving Portion:

From the Fish Creek I-90 Exit (Exit 66) east of Superior:

1.3 miles; +726 feet; -11 feet

Driving Portion:

From the Junction of River Street and Mullan Road on the north side of Superior:

1. Drive west on Mullan Road West for 6.4 miles.  The road will go westerly along the North side of the Clark Fork River, then turn up (North) Pardee Creek.
2. Turn Left (Northwest) on FS 7876 / 7866.  Drive up this road 1.5 miles and park at the junction with a gated road that turns left from the main road.

Road Walk Portion: