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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:ย The week looksย sunny and clear with some clouds, however there may be hazy, smokey conditions in the area due to the nearby Gap Fire.ย The week begins with daytime highsย in the mid-50s, climbing to the mid-60s intoย the weekend. Overnight lows begin in the mid-40s and rise to the lower 50s by the weekend.

Sky Lakes: The week looksย sunny and clear with some clouds.ย The week begins with daytime highsย in the upperย 50s,ย climbing to the lower 70s intoย the weekend. Overnight lows begin in the lowerย 40s andย rise to the lower 50s by the weekend.

Crater Lake: The week looksย sunny and clear with a slight chance of rain on Tuesday.ย The week begins with daytime highsย in the mid-50s,ย climbing to theย mid-60s intoย the weekend. Overnight lows stay chillyย in theย lowerย 40s andย rise to the mid-40s by the weekend.

Diamond Peak: The week begins partly sunnyย withย a slight chance of rain on Tuesday, then clearing into the weekend.ย The week begins with daytime highsย in theย mid-50s,ย climbing to the upperย 60s intoย the weekend. Overnight lowsย stay chillyย in theย lowerย 40s andย rise to theย mid-40s by the weekend.

Three Sisters: The weekย begins partly sunnyย withย a slight chance of rain Monday night throughย Tuesday, then mostly sunnyย into the weekend.ย The week begins with daytime highsย in theย mid-40s,ย climbing to theย upper 50s intoย the weekend. Overnight lowsย stay chillyย in theย lowerย 40s andย rise to the upperย 40s by the weekend.

McKenzie Pass: The weekย begins partly sunnyย with rain likely Monday night throughย Tuesday, thenย mostly sunnyย into the weekend.ย The week begins with daytime highsย in the lower 60s,ย climbing to theย upper 60s intoย the weekend. Overnight lowsย stay coldย in theย lowerย 40s through the week.

Jefferson Park: The weekย begins partly sunnyย with rain likely Monday night throughย Tuesday, partial clearing midweek with a slight chance of showers on Thursday, then mostly sunny into the weekend.ย The week begins with daytime highsย in the mid-40s,ย climbing to the lowerย 60s intoย the weekend. Overnight lowsย stayย coldย in theย lowerย 40sย through the week, then climb to the upper 40s into the weekend.

Mount Hood: The weekย begins partly sunnyย with rain likely Monday night throughย Tuesday,ย partial clearing midweek with a slight chance of showers Wednesday night and intoย Thursday, then mostly sunny into the weekend.ย The week begins with daytime highsย in the lowerย 40s,ย climbing to the mid-50s intoย the weekend. Overnight lowsย stay coldย in the upper 30s andย rise to the imd-40s by the weekend.

Cascade Locks: The weekย begins partly sunnyย with rain likely Monday night throughย Tuesday,ย partial clearing midweek with a slight chance of showersย Wednesday night and intoย Thursday, then mostly sunny into the weekend.ย The week begins with daytime highsย in the mid-60s,ย climbing to theย mid-70s intoย the weekend.ย 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 ofย 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 Creekย (Sky Lakes Wilderness): muddy and stagnant
  • Jack Springย (Sky Lakes Wilderness): dry

Section 3ย (C): Cascade Crest to Willamette Pass

  • Six Horse Springย (Mt. Thielsenย Wilderness): upper poolsย stagnant; proceed to lower cascade

Section 4ย (E): Willamette Pass to Santiam Pass

  • Washington Pondsย (Mt. Washington Wilderness):ย stagnant; not recommended

Section 5ย (F):ย Santiam Pass to Timberline Lodge

  • Jude Lakeย (Warm Springs Reservation): becomingย stagnant
  • Lemitiย Creekย (Warm Springs Reservation): stagnant; not recommended

Section 6ย (G):ย Timberline Lodge to Cascade Locks

  • Indianย Spring:ย questionable
  • Teakettle Spring: questionable

For more detailed information on Oregon’sย PCTย water conditions, visit theย PCT Water Report.


Obstructions

Sections 4/5 (F): Santiam Pass Trailhead

  • CLOSED: OR 20ย – 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 sideย (from the Salem/Albany areas)ย 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 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.

Gap Fire (Northern California): This large fire, now nearly 26,000 acres, continues to burn in theย Seiad Valley area near the Californiaโ€“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 beย diminished due to smokeย and drifting ash.ย Currently, the fire is only 30% contained. More info at InciWeb.


Critters!

  • Mosquitoes:ย 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:ย Bear activity typically increases in late summer/early fall as the furry critters are gorgingย 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 Oregonย CLICK HERE. This page will be updated on a weekly basis during the summer hiking season.

If you have trail condition information to contribute,ย CLICK HERE.

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