Current PCT conditions in Oregon for the week of Sept. 5, 2016.
Weather
Last week, Oregon got an early taste of fall weather with cool to cold temps in the Cascades, rain, and even a dusting of snow in the higher elevations. That trend is going to continue through the early part of this week, with mixed sun and rain across most of the state. Conditions will change into the weekend and skies clear and temps warm a bit to offer a pretty nice post-holiday September weekend. There’s still a good month of PCT hiking left in Oregon, so get out there and enjoy it while you can!
Mt. Ashland: The week looks sunny and clear with some clouds, however there may be hazy, smokey conditions in the area due to the nearby Gap Fire. The week begins with daytime highs in the mid-50s, climbing to the mid-60s into the weekend. Overnight lows begin in the mid-40s and rise to the lower 50s by the weekend.
Sky Lakes: The week looks sunny and clear with some clouds. The week begins with daytime highs in the upper 50s, climbing to the lower 70s into the weekend. Overnight lows begin in the lower 40s and rise to the lower 50s by the weekend.
Crater Lake: The week looks sunny and clear with a slight chance of rain on Tuesday. The week begins with daytime highs in the mid-50s, climbing to the mid-60s into the weekend. Overnight lows stay chilly in the lower 40s and rise to the mid-40s by the weekend.
Diamond Peak: The week begins partly sunny with a slight chance of rain on Tuesday, then clearing into the weekend. The week begins with daytime highs in the mid-50s, climbing to the upper 60s into the weekend. Overnight lows stay chilly in the lower 40s and rise to the mid-40s by the weekend.
Three Sisters: The week begins partly sunny with a slight chance of rain Monday night through Tuesday, then mostly sunny into the weekend. The week begins with daytime highs in the mid-40s, climbing to the upper 50s into the weekend. Overnight lows stay chilly in the lower 40s and rise to the upper 40s by the weekend.
McKenzie Pass: The week begins partly sunny with rain likely Monday night through Tuesday, then mostly sunny into the weekend. The week begins with daytime highs in the lower 60s, climbing to the upper 60s into the weekend. Overnight lows stay cold in the lower 40s through the week.
Jefferson Park: The week begins partly sunny with rain likely Monday night through Tuesday, partial clearing midweek with a slight chance of showers on Thursday, then mostly sunny into the weekend. The week begins with daytime highs in the mid-40s, climbing to the lower 60s into the weekend. Overnight lows stay cold in the lower 40s through the week, then climb to the upper 40s into the weekend.
Mount Hood: The week begins partly sunny with rain likely Monday night through Tuesday, partial clearing midweek with a slight chance of showers Wednesday night and into Thursday, then mostly sunny into the weekend. The week begins with daytime highs in the lower 40s, climbing to the mid-50s into the weekend. Overnight lows stay cold in the upper 30s and rise to the imd-40s by the weekend.
Cascade Locks: The week begins partly sunny with rain likely Monday night through Tuesday, partial clearing midweek with a slight chance of showers Wednesday night and into Thursday, then mostly sunny into the weekend. The week begins with daytime highs in the mid-60s, climbing to the mid-70s into the weekend. Overnight lows hover in the mid-50s through the week.
Weather conditions and forecasts are subject to change. Click on individual locations for detailed daily forecasts at NOAA.gov.
Water
Nearing the end of summer, water conditions are beginning to get a little less reliable, with small springs and ponds starting to dry up or turn mucky. It is best to rely on major water sources, e.g. larger creeks, streams and lakes.
Water Alerts:
Section 2 (B): Fish Lake to Cascade Crest
- Honeymoon Creek (Sky Lakes Wilderness): muddy and stagnant
- Jack Spring (Sky Lakes Wilderness): dry
Section 3 (C): Cascade Crest to Willamette Pass
- Six Horse Spring (Mt. Thielsen Wilderness): upper pools stagnant; proceed to lower cascade
Section 4 (E): Willamette Pass to Santiam Pass
- Washington Ponds (Mt. Washington Wilderness): stagnant; not recommended
Section 5 (F): Santiam Pass to Timberline Lodge
- Jude Lake (Warm Springs Reservation): becoming stagnant
- Lemiti Creek (Warm Springs Reservation): stagnant; not recommended
Section 6 (G): Timberline Lodge to Cascade Locks
- Indian Spring: questionable
- Teakettle Spring: questionable
For more detailed information on Oregon’s PCT water conditions, visit the PCT Water Report.
Obstructions
Sections 4/5 (F): Santiam Pass Trailhead
- CLOSED: OR 20 – Highway 20 is closed about 25 miles east of Sweet Home to tend to an active landslide. For approaching the PCT at Santiam Pass from the west side (from the Salem/Albany areas) plan to use OR 22 instead. The closure is estimated to last through September.
Section 6 (G): Timberline Lodge to Cascade Locks
- NOT RECOMMENDED: Eagle Creek Alternate Route – Despite what other sources may report, the Forest Service is requesting that thru-hikers stick to the official PCT from Wahtum Lake to Cascade Locks and not use the alternate Eagle Creek Trail due to the bridge washout on Tish Creek. In addition to the crossing being unsafe, officials are noticing that hikers ignoring this recommendation are beginning to have a negative impact on the creek’s watershed due to trampling and stream damage. Please be considerate of this recommendation.
Wildfires
There are currently no wildfires or closures that affect the PCT in Oregon.
Gap Fire (Northern California): This large fire, now nearly 26,000 acres, continues to burn in the Seiad Valley area near the California–Oregon border. The PCT has been closed between Hwy 96 and the northern fire boundary, which is currently still south of Donomore Pass. The closure is not impacting access to the PCT at the pass/border from the Medford/Ashland areas, and is still accessible. Depending on wind direction, air quality in the area may be diminished due to smoke and drifting ash. Currently, the fire is only 30% contained. More info at InciWeb.
Critters!
- Mosquitoes: The little buggers are about gone as we near the end of summer. You may find a few outliers in moist and shady areas, but otherwise the coast is clear.
- Bears: Bear activity typically increases in late summer/early fall as the furry critters are gorging themselves in preparation for their winter naps. Make sure you are keeping a clean camp and storing/hanging your food properly.
The information on this page is collected from a variety of sources, including NOAA, PCTA, PCT Water and the U.S. Forest Service. For more information on PCT Conditions in Oregon CLICK HERE. This page will be updated on a weekly basis during the summer hiking season.