pct hiker
Current PCT conditions in Oregon for the week of Sept. 11, 2016.

Weather

This week, Oregon is getting a lease on summer with clear and sunny conditionsย for the upcoming week. Daytime temps along the PCT will be generally mild and comfortable, however overnights will dip down to near-freezing in most upper elevations.

Mt. Ashland:ย Sunny! There may be smokey,ย hazy skiesย due to the nearby Gap Fire, depending on wind direction. The week begins with daytime highs in the upper 50s, climbing to the upper 60s into nextย weekend. Overnight lows beginย in the lower 40s, then rise slightly into the upper 40s into nextย weekend.

Sky Lakes:ย Sun and clear skies!ย ย The week begins with daytime highs in the upper 50s, climbing to the lower 70s into nextย weekend. Overnight lows begin chilly in the upper 30s, then rise into the upper 40s into nextย weekend.

Crater Lake: Sun and clear skies!ย ย The week begins with daytime highs in the mid-50s, climbing to the mid-60s into nextย weekend. Overnight lowsย begin coldย in the mid-30s, then rise into the upper 40s into nextย weekend.

Diamond Peak: Sun and partly cloudyย skies!ย ย The week begins with daytime highs in the lower 60s, climbing to the upperย 60s into nexte weekend. Overnight lowsย beginย coldย in theย mid-30s, then rise into the mid-40s into nextย weekend.

Three Sisters: Sun andย partly cloudyย skies!ย ย The week begins with daytime highs in the upperย 40s, climbing to the mid-60s into nextย weekend. Overnight lowsย beginย coldย in theย mid-30s, then rise into theย mid-40s into nextย weekend.

McKenzie Pass: Sun and mostly clearย skies!ย ย The week begins with daytime highs in the mid-50s, climbing to the lower 70s intoย nextย weekend. Overnight lows stayย cold through the week, beginning in the lowerย 30s, then rise slightly into the upper 30s intoย nextย weekend.

Jefferson Park: Sun andย mostly clearย skies!ย ย The week begins with daytime highs in the lowerย 50s, climbing to the mid-60s intoย nextย weekend. Overnight lows begin chilly in the upper 30s, then rise into the mid-40s into nextย weekend.

Mount Hood: Sun andย mostly clearย skies!ย ย The week begins with daytime highs in the mid-40s, climbing to the lowerย 60s intoย nextย weekend.ย Overnight lows begin chilly in the mid-30s, then rise into theย mid-40s into nextย weekend.

Cascade Locks: Sun!ย ย The week begins with daytime highs in the upper 60s, climbing to the upper 70s intoย nextย weekend.ย Overnight lows begin in theย mid-40s, then rise into theย mid-50s into nextย weekend.

Weather conditions and forecasts are subject to change. Click on individual locations for detailed daily forecasts at NOAA.gov.


Water

Recent reports indicate that mostย major water sourcesย (e.g. larger creeks, streams and lakes) are still reliable for clean water.

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 Fireย (Northern California): This large fire in theย Seiad Valley,ย south of theย Californiaโ€“Oregon border,ย continues burning within its containment lines. The fire has grown to more than 32,000 acres, but is currently 85% contained and mop-up operations are in play. The PCT remainsย 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. More info atย InciWeb.


Critters!

  • Mosquitoes:ย 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.

Hunting Season

Hunting season has begun 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.


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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