Road to Pilot Butte summit closed for season

The Oregon Parks and Recreation Department has closed the gate to the Pilot Butte summit road as of Wednesday.

The road will remain closed to public vehicle traffic until spring, out of safety concerns for park visitors.

“We are now in the winter driving season and the stretch of road on the north slope of the butte often remains very slick, even when everything else has thawed,” said Susan Bethers, park manager.

The summit road closes to vehicles each winter, but the eastside parking area remains open, allowing year-round access to the butte’s hiking trails.