Current PCT conditions in Oregon for the week of October 11, 2016.
Weather
The big snow forecast for Oregon’s Cascade Range didn’t quite shake out as much as expected. The big peaks got a nice white blanket on their higher reaches, but the low- and mid-elevation areas just got wet. After starting the week with a couple days of sun to dry things out, it looks like Mother Nature is going to try again to drop a little winter on us with heavy rain and wind later in the week and going into the weekend. Temps are going to be cold, so bundle up out there.
Mt. Ashland:ย The week beginsย withย sun and clear skies, but clouds start building by midweek. Rain is expected to begin by Thursday, with possible rain/snow mix beginning Friday andย into the weekend; no accumulation expected. Daytime temps start in the lower 50s and slide into the lower 40s into the weekend; overnight temps begin in the lower 40s and drop into the mid-30s by the weekend.
Sky Lakes: The week beginsย withย sun and clear skies, but it doesn’t last long. Rain is expected to begin by Wednesday night, with rain/snow mix beginning Friday andย into the weekend; no accumulation expected. Daytime tempsย start in the mid-50s and slide into the mid-40s into the weekend; overnight temps begin in the lower 40s and drop into the mid-30s by the weekend.
Crater Lake: The week beginsย withย sun and clear skies, but it doesn’t last long. Rain is expected to begin by Wednesday night, with rain/snow mix beginning Friday andย into the weekend; no accumulation expected. Daytime tempsย start in the upper 40s and slide into the upper 30s into the weekend; overnight temps begin in the upper 30s and dipย into the lowerย 30s by the weekend.
Diamond Peak: The week beginsย withย sun and clear skies, with rain coming in Wednesday night through Thursday, and snow showersย beginning Friday andย into the weekend; no accumulation expected. Daytime tempsย start in the mid-50s and plungeย into the mid-30s into the weekend; overnight temps begin in theย upper 30s and dipย into the upper 20s by the weekend.
Three Sisters: The week beginsย withย sun and clear skies, with rain coming in Wednesday night through Thursday, snow showers on Friday and more rain into the weekend; just a trace ofย accumulation expected. Daytime tempsย start in theย mid-40s and dipย into the upper-30s into the weekend; overnight temps begin in the lowerย 30s and inch upย into the mid-30s by the weekend.
McKenzie Pass: The week beginsย withย sun and clear skies, with rain coming in Wednesday night and continuing through the weekend. Daytime tempsย start in theย mid-50s andย dipย into the mid-40s into the weekend; overnight temps begin in theย lowerย 30s andย inch upย into the upperย 30s by the weekend.
Jefferson Park: The week beginsย withย sun and clear skies, with rain coming in Wednesday night and continuing through the weekend. Daytime tempsย start in theย mid-40s and creepย into the lowerย 40s into the weekend; overnight temps begin in theย lowerย 30s andย inch upย into theย upperย 30s by the weekend.
Mount Hood: The week beginsย withย sun and clear skies, with rain coming in Wednesday night through Thursday, snow showers on Friday and more rain into the weekend; just of trace ofย accumulation expected. Daytime tempsย start in theย mid-40s andย dipย into theย upper-30s into the weekend; overnight temps begin in theย lowerย 30s andย inch upย into theย mid-30s by the weekend.
Cascade Locks: The week beginsย withย sun and clear skies, with rain coming in Wednesday night and continuing through the weekend. Daytime tempsย start in the lower 60s andย creepย into the mid-50s into the weekend; overnight temps begin in the mid-30s and climbย into theย upper 40s by the weekend.
Weather conditions and forecasts are subject to change. Click on individual locations for detailed daily forecasts at NOAA.gov.ย Check for PCT: Oregon’s midweek updates onย Twitter.
Water
As the PCT hiking season nears its end, water conditions reports have tapered off. However, with rain returning to the Cascades, small creeks and springs are beginning to get recharged. Most lakes and larger streams have remained reliable. As snow comes in, many smaller water sources will get buried. If you’re planning fall and winter snow hikes, there should soon be ample fresh white stuff for melting as needed.
For more detailed information on Oregon’sย PCTย water conditions, visit theย PCT Water Report.
Obstructions
Last week saw scattered snow showers along the Cascade Crest. Most of it melted out quickly as snow turned to rain, leaving most accumulated snow in the upper elevations. This week may see trace amountsย snow hit the Crest, but significant accumulation is not expected.ย If you’re planning on fall and winter PCT outings, be sure you’re carrying your map and compass (or GPS) and are comfortable with route-finding in snowy conditions.
Section 6 (G): Timberline Lodge to Cascade Locks
- NOT RECOMMENDED: Eagle Creek Alternate Routeย – 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 onย Tish Creek.ย 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 inย Oregon.
Critters!
- Mosquitoes:ย The coast is clear.
- Bears:ย Bear may still be active fatteningย themselves up in preparation for their winter naps. Make sure you are keeping a clean camp and storing/hanging your food properly.
Hunting Season
Hunting season is now openย in Oregon. The burned wilderness areas in Central Oregon (Mt. Washington, Mt. Jefferson) are popular during the High Cascade Hunt for the good visibility for hunters and the fresh shrubbery for deer. When hiking in these areas, it is advisableย to wear bright colors to identify yourself as a hiker, and if hiking with a dog, keep it on leash.ย More info here.
NOTE: Weekly trail conditions updates will continue through October 2016, then go on hiatus for the winter season when weather is poor and the trail is largely inaccessible. Periodic updates will resume in the spring as areas start to melt out, with weekly updates returning in June 2017.
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 Oregonย CLICK HERE. This page will be updated on a weekly basis during the summer hiking season.