Pilot Rock, Volcanic mountain in Oregon, US

Pilot Rock is an andesite formation in the western Cascade Range near the Siskiyou Mountains. This rocky peak rises about 570 feet (170 meters) and can be seen from 40 miles (64 kilometers) away across the Shasta and Rogue valleys.

Pilot Rock is an andesitic volcanic plug, formed when magma solidified beneath the surface and the softer surrounding rock eroded away. Argon–argon dating gives an age of about 25.6 million years, making it one of the oldest volcanic formations in the Cascades. The Takelma called it Tan-ts'at-seniphtha; the United States Exploring Expedition renamed it Emmons Peak in 1841, and it later became Pilot Rock for pioneers on the Applegate Trail.

The Takelma Native Americans called this rock formation Tan-ts'at-seniphtha, meaning stone standing up. European settlers later renamed it, first as Boundary Mountain before it became known as Pilot Rock.

You can reach this formation by forest roads leading to a parking area where trails begin. The area is relatively accessible, but visibility can be limited in fog or heavy weather, so plan accordingly.

Since 1942, nine planes have crashed into Pilot Rock, mainly because of poor visibility. The rock's height and isolation make it a hazard for low-flying aircraft, a detail hikers on the summit trail rarely consider.