Activity Notes

Where:  Horsethief Butte. As parking is limited, carpooling is mandatory (at least 3 people per vehicle).  It is about a 1.5 hour drive from Portland.  Horsethief Butte is located on the Washington side of the Columbia River, about 9 miles east of The Dalles Bridge on Hwy 14.

  • From Portland, drive east on I-84 toward the Dalles
  • Take exit 87 for US-197 toward Dufur/Bend (0.2 mi)
  • Turn left at US-197 N (3.5 mi)
  • Turn right at Lewis and Clark Hwy/WA-14 E (9.0 mi)

When: Saturday 9am-5pm

  • Assistants:  Be ready to hike in at 8:30am
  • Students:  Meet in the parking lot & be ready to hike in at 9am

Parking is extremely limited and will require shuttling. 

The students will need shuttle cars and be ready to hike in by the time designated each morning. 

GIVE YOURSELF EXTRA TIME FOR CAR SHUTTLING!

Car shuttle parking reminders:

  • Horsethief Lake is where we will park additional vehicles for the day.
  • We have limited parking slots we can use at Horsethief Butte. 
  • Those need to be shared between 22 students and 18+ instructors. 
  • Drop off your gear and riders at the Horsethief Butte parking lot, then head down to the Horsethief Lake parking lot to leave your car and take a shuttle back.
  • Parking at Horsethief Butte requires a Discover Pass(Day-Use $11), please share the cost with your driver.

Camping at Maryhill State Park - The group is reserved.

Potluck: Saturday night (7pm) the students will provide a potluck dinner for students and assistants.  Breakfast is on your own Sunday morning.

Sunday 8:30am – 2:30pm

Assistants: Hike in at 8am

Students: Meet in the parking lot & be ready to hike in at 8:30am

What to wear:  weather appropriate clothing, long pants, sturdy shoes (approach shoes recommended)

Gear List:  YOUR ROPE, lunches (2)/water, paperwork, pen, watch, tarp (for laying gear on ground), harness, helmet, personal protection leash (Purcell, etc), prusiks, cord for auto-block, runners/cord/slings, belay and rappel device, climbing shoes, all trad gear you already own (Mark all gear - Don’t buy new gear for this session).

Note: Other groups may also be at Horsethief, so please stay within our boundary. Also, beware of poison oak! 

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Mar
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AR 2020: Horsethief Butte Field Session (Saturday)
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AR 2020: Horsethief Butte Rain Makeup Field Session (Sunday)
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AR 2021: Horsethief Butte Field Session (Saturday)
Field Session Icon Icon of a hiker with backpack and walking stick on an open book.
Mar
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Field Session
AR 2021: Horsethief Butte Field Session (Sunday)
Field Session Icon Icon of a hiker with backpack and walking stick on an open book.
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AR 2021: Horsethief Butte Makeup Field Session (Saturday)
Field Session Icon Icon of a hiker with backpack and walking stick on an open book.
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Field Session
AR 2021: Horsethief Butte Makeup Field Session (Sunday)
Field Session Icon Icon of a hiker with backpack and walking stick on an open book.
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AR 2022: Field Session - Horsethief
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Apr
16
Field Session
AR: Field Session - Horsethief (weather back-up date)
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Mar
25
Field Session
AR 2023 Field Session: Horsethief
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Mar
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Field Session
AR 2023 Field Session: Horsethief
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Apr
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Field Session
AR 2023 Field Session: Horsethief (weather backup date)
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Apr
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Field Session
AR 2023 Field Session: Horsethief (weather backup date)
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AR 2024 Field Session: Horsethief
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