Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument — Pilot Rock Trailhead

Pilot Rock juts up off the Cascade-Siskiyou divide like a navigation beacon — because for centuries it was one. The BLM trailhead off Soda Mountain Road gives you a signed pullout, room for a handful of rigs, and a 1.5-mile hike up to the base of the basalt plug. The summit scramble is Class 3 and exposed; the view from the base alone is worth the drive. This is ground-zero for the Soda Mountain to Pilot Rock overland route and sits inside the Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument.

Access is from Dead Indian Memorial Road or Soda Mountain Road south of Ashland — paved to the turn, then well-maintained gravel for the last few miles. No water, no toilets at the trailhead itself. Bring your own everything. Snow can close the road November through April. Expect PCT thru-hikers in summer — the PCT crosses right here.

Volcanic plug lookout on the Siskiyou divide.