PCT: Oregon

Planning

At a glance

We walked Oregon in 30 days from early July to the start of August 2023. We took two zeros each in Ashland and Eugene, one in Portland, and a nero in Cascade Locks. Most hiking days ran 10 to 27 miles. The longest were 30.3 miles to the Warm Springs River, 27.1 to Diamond Lake and 25.8 to Eagle Creek. We averaged about 25 miles a day through the flat forest near Ashland.

Mosquitoes

Oregon was the peak of mosquito season for us. They hit around Day 72 a few days out of Ashland and were severe for about two weeks from Crater Lake to Shelter Cove on Hwy 58. We wore head nets every time we stopped for water or a break and they bit through our sun hoodies. We camped on ridges where a breeze kept them down. After Hwy 58 they eased and near the lakes the dragonflies kept them away. They are also at their worst when you need the bathroom.

Weather and snow

Oregon had no real snow for us in July 2023 even after a high snow year. Crater Lake was clear and Diamond Peak had only small patches. The overview covers how snow years and closures can change the route.

Water

The Halfmile water data is several years old and some sources dry up so check the current PCT Water Report before each stretch. By that data these are the longest gaps between sources:

Gear

Everything we carried in 2023 is in the PCT pack list. Here is what worked hard in Oregon and what we changed.

• Head nets and sun hoodies. We wore the head nets at every stop for water or a break. The mosquitoes bit through our sun hoodies so long sleeves alone weren't enough.
• A replacement filter and more repellent. At Diamond Lake my sister's family brought a box with a new Platypus QuickDraw because the one I had was faulty. They also brought more mosquito repellent including a 100% DEET one.
• FlipFuel and warmer layers. The same box had FlipFuel for the stove, merino leggings, and pants.
• Day packs for South Sister. We left our packs at Moraine Lake and climbed with day packs.

Towns and resupply

Our family and friends brought resupply boxes to Diamond Lake and Shelter Cove and a friend brought one to Cascade Locks. Big Lake Youth Camp holds hiker packages but it's closed on Saturdays and open on Sundays. That's part of why we timed our arrival for a Sunday.

Trail magic and trail angels

We found trail magic at Crater Lake, in the Three Sisters Wilderness, at Jack Lake, and at Timberline Lodge. A friend of my sister hosted us in Ashland and strangers gave us rides near Crater Lake and Diamond Lake. If you want to give trail magic in Oregon these were the best spots: Mt Ashland, Summit Lake near Diamond Peak, and Rosary Lake after Hwy 58.

Ashland to Diamond Lake

What it was like

We spent July 4 in Ashland and stayed two nights with a friend of my sister who became a great trail angel. She hosted us while our feet recovered and we cooked, ate, and talked. Ashland over July 4 was also a big reunion of hikers who had flipped around the Sierra like us.

Oregon was a big change from California. The first days out of Ashland were flat, shaded, and very forested and we averaged about 25 miles a day. Day 71 was 25.5 miles, Day 72 was 25.0 and the day into Diamond Lake was 27.1. Then the mosquitoes hit about two days before Crater Lake and the hike changed. We wore head nets at every stop, camped on ridges where there was some breeze, and kept moving.

We took the west side alternate around Crater Lake to the north edge of the rim. The first sight of the lake with Wizard Island in the middle was one of the best of the trip and we stopped for lunch with the view. We camped on the south rim and the next night just off the trail with a shower. My sister's family met us for the next stretch.

Camping

Little Hyatt Lake was a nice camp. The camp on the south rim of Crater Lake and the one a short walk off the trail the next night both had showers nearby at the park. Diamond Lake had views.

Towns

Ashland. We stayed three nights, two of them over July 4, with a trail angel host. The overview covers resupply and towns.

Crater Lake. The rim has a shower and trail magic: two trail angels at Hwy 209 handed out soda and donuts and gave us a ride to Diamond Lake.

Diamond Lake. We picked up a resupply box here, brought by my sister's family.

Water

The longest gap between water sources on this stretch is about 13.9 miles, from Christi's Spring (mile 1785.8) to Seasonal Creek (mile 1799.7).

Water sources on this stretch (31)

• Mile 1728.3: Piped spring
• Mile 1730.3: Piped spring near a small pond, 100 yards NW of PCT
• Mile 1737.7: Small pond
• Mile 1741.5: Little Hyatt Reservoir outlet, bridge, large creek
• Mile 1743.4: Water fountain and spigot
• Mile 1750.3: Klum Landing Park is a county campground 3/10 mi W of the PCT with campsites, water, $20 per site for overnight camping, free showers
• Mile 1751.3: Howard Prairie Canal and bridge, unpaved road nearby
• Mile 1751.4: Grizzly Creek with wooden bridge
• Mile 1755.5: Piped spring
• Mile 1763.9: South Brown Mountain Shelter, cabin, picnic table, water pump
• Mile 1766.3: Usually dry Butte Creek with a wooden bridge
• Mile 1774.4: Large creek-like Cascade Canal, wooden bridge. The Cascade Canal diverts water from Fourmile Lake to Medford growers. Usually reliable but occasionally shut off
• Mile 1785.8: Christi's Spring. Note many topographic maps show this spring in the wrong location
• Mile 1799.7: Seasonal Creek, campsite nearby
• Mile 1800.7: Small creek
• Mile 1801.5: Small creek
• Mile 1801.7: Creek above Grass Lake
• Mile 1802.7: Honeymoon Creek, often muddy, water is often better 1.1 mile S
• Mile 1809.7: Seasonal Jack Spring, 7/10 mile W of PCT, may be dry, difficult to find
• Mile 1823.0: Small seasonal tributary of Castle Creek
• Mile 1823.3: Castle Creek
• Mile 1823.4: Dutton Creek, alternate
• Mile 1823.4: Tributary of Dutton Creek, alternate
• Mile 1823.4: Dutton Creek
• Mile 1823.8: Small creek
• Mile 1824.7: Trapper Creek
• Mile 1827.5: Tributary of Bybee Creek
• Mile 1827.8: Stream
• Mile 1828.5: Stream
• Mile 1830.6: South Fork Copeland Creek
• Mile 1836.4: Red Cone trail camp, spring nearby

Diamond Lake to Willamette Pass

What it was like

My sister and her family joined us at Diamond Lake. All four of them walked the 60 miles to Highway 58 with us over four days and three nights. We climbed Mt Thielsen and Diamond Peak and passed Tipsoo Peak. It's the highest point of the trail in Oregon and Washington at 7,560 feet. Diamond Peak had small patches of snow. The mosquitoes were the worst part. It was peak season and there were a lot of them.

Day 76 was 13.3 miles to Tipsoo Peak, a nice camp with views and stars. Day 77 was 19 miles to Cowhorn Mountain and Day 78 was 18.1 miles to Diamond Peak, another nice camp. On Day 79 we walked 10.1 miles to Willamette Pass on Hwy 58 and went to Eugene for two zeros.

Camping

Tipsoo Peak and Diamond Peak were both nice camps and Tipsoo had views and stargazing too. Cowhorn Mountain sits at 6,357 ft.

Towns

Willamette Pass and Eugene. Hwy 58 is the road to Eugene and we stayed there for a double zero. A resupply box was waiting at Shelter Cove on Hwy 58.

Trail magic. Summit Lake near Diamond Peak was one of our best trail magic spots in Oregon.

Water

The longest gap between water sources on this stretch is about 16.0 miles, from Usually reliable Thielsen Creek (mile 1857.0) to Six Horse Spring (mile 1873.0).

Water sources on this stretch (13)

• Mile 1857.0: Usually reliable Thielsen Creek
• Mile 1873.0: Six Horse Spring, 4/10 mile E of PCT and approximately 300 ft descent
• Mile 1882.0: Small pond just off trail, through the trees
• Mile 1890.1: Large campsite near south shore of Summit Lake
• Mile 1892.1: Large pond
• Mile 1893.1: Large pond, campsite nearby
• Mile 1897.7: Headwaters of Mountain Creek
• Mile 1900.0: Small seasonal creek
• Mile 1900.1: Small pond
• Mile 1903.2: Pass above Lils Lake
• Mile 1903.9: Hidden Lake
• Mile 1904.1: Large pond
• Mile 1904.8: Arrowhead Lake

Willamette Pass to Big Lake Youth Camp

What it was like

After the double zero in Eugene someone dropped us back at Highway 58 and it was hard to get back on trail after two days of eating. The next days were beautiful. The mosquitoes eased and the trail passed a new lake about every 20 minutes.

On Day 84 we walked 4 miles off the trail to camp at Moraine Lake directly below South Sister. The next morning we left at 5 a.m. with day packs and were on the summit by 7:30. I called it record time and we had the whole trail to ourselves. South Sister is Oregon's second highest peak at just over 10,000 feet and a walkable one. It was my third time on it, once in my teens after high school, once after college, and now with Ninette. Smoke from forest fires was starting to build at 5 a.m.

We camped that night at Mesa Creek and then walked 20.8 miles to McKenzie Pass and 12.3 to Big Lake Youth Camp. Trail angels had big trail magic outside Lily Lake just after Hwy 58: chips, gummy bears, ice cream, chairs, and rides to town. South Lake was our first lakeside camp and had no mosquitoes because of the dragonflies.

Camping

Bobby Lake was a nice camp and the stretch from Bobby Lake to South Lake had some of Oregon's best views. Moraine Lake sits 4 miles off the trail below South Sister. Mesa Creek, McKenzie Pass, and Big Lake Youth Camp were nice camps with stars.

Towns

Big Lake Youth Camp holds hiker packages. It's closed on Saturdays and open on Sundays so we timed our arrival for a Sunday. We picked up our resupply package there and headed into the Mount Jefferson Wilderness.

Water

The longest gap between water sources on this stretch is about 8.7 miles, from Creek near Island Meadow (mile 1951.2) to Sisters Mirror Lake (mile 1959.9).

Water sources on this stretch (32)

• Mile 1911.9: Lower Rosary Lake, water, campsite
• Mile 1912.1: Lower Rosary Lake, water, another campsite
• Mile 1912.6: Campsite between Middle and North Rosary Lake
• Mile 1918.9: Bobby Lake, 3/10 mile E of PCT
• Mile 1926.4: Charlton Lake, campsite
• Mile 1926.6: Charlton Lake, several campsites
• Mile 1931.5: Taylor Lake, campsite
• Mile 1932.3: Irish Lake
• Mile 1934.4: Brahma Lake, campsites
• Mile 1935.4: Campsites near a Jezebel Lake
• Mile 1936.4: Stormy Lake
• Mile 1939.3: Small lake
• Mile 1942.3: Small lake
• Mile 1942.5: Desane Lake, campsite
• Mile 1942.9: S Lake, campsite
• Mile 1943.2: Mac Lake, campsite
• Mile 1944.1: Horseshoe Lake
• Mile 1944.3: Horseshoe Lake, campsite
• Mile 1947.4: Island Lake
• Mile 1948.1: Dumbbell Lake, campsite
• Mile 1951.2: Creek near Island Meadow
• Mile 1959.9: Sisters Mirror Lake, several campsites, no campfires
• Mile 1963.3: North Fork Mesa Creek
• Mile 1964.2: Mesa Creek
• Mile 1964.4: Stream
• Mile 1967.0: Hinton Creek
• Mile 1973.5: Obsidian Creek
• Mile 1973.6: Sister Spring, water flowing from the base of a mountain
• Mile 1974.6: Glacier Creek
• Mile 1977.7: Minnie Scott Spring
• Mile 1981.0: South Matthieu Lake. Camping restricted at South Matthieu Lake to 3 first come first serve sites marked by a post in the ground. If occupied, camp at least a quarter mile away
• Mile 1983.5: Large pond

Big Lake Youth Camp to Mt Hood

What it was like

To me this was the most beautiful wilderness in Oregon. The trail circles Mount Jefferson clockwise on the west side through Jefferson Park. It's a meadow of wildflowers with some of the best tent sites of the trip and views of the mountain. Around Jefferson you first see Mount Hood and for a short stretch you see both.

Day 88 was a nice camp with views at Wasco Lake. Day 89 was 25.1 miles to the north face of Mt Jefferson with views and stars. Day 90 was our longest in Oregon at 30.3 miles to the Warm Springs River. Olallie Lake and its resort sit like an oasis in a burned area and we stopped there for a snack and a drink. The trail also passes through the Warm Springs reservation and then climbs into the Mount Hood Wilderness and crosses Hwy 26. We camped there on Day 91 at a nice spot with views.

Camping

Wasco Lake, the north face of Mt Jefferson, and Hwy 26 were all nice camps with views and Jefferson had stars too. Warm Springs River was our longest day.

Towns

No towns on this stretch. Jack Lake had trail magic with fruit, soda, and bars. Olallie Lake has a resort where we stopped for a snack and a drink.

Water

The longest gap between water sources on this stretch is about 12.2 miles, from Large Pond (mile 2000.4) to Pond near Koko Lake (mile 2012.6).

Water sources on this stretch (33)

• Mile 2000.4: Large Pond
• Mile 2012.6: Pond near Koko Lake, in a burn area, pond may be stagnant late season
• Mile 2016.3: Rockpile Lake, campsite nearby, no campfires within 1/4 mile of lake
• Mile 2024.3: Shale Lake. Pamelia Limited Entry Area, for about 1.5 miles to the N. No camping, including at Shale Lake, without a special permit. PCT users may pass through the area on the PCT
• Mile 2027.7: Stream at the end of a switch back
• Mile 2029.6: Milk Creek
• Mile 2031.7: Campsites near a small pond
• Mile 2032.2: Seasonal Jeff Creek, campsites nearby
• Mile 2033.5: Russell Creek, can be a dangerous crossing
• Mile 2033.7: Creek, campsites
• Mile 2034.0: Tributary of Whitewater Creek
• Mile 2034.6: Russell Creek with a wooden bridge
• Mile 2035.9: South Fork Breitenbush River
• Mile 2036.4: Sprague Lake Creek
• Mile 2040.7: Creek flowing under an unpaved road
• Mile 2041.5: View Lake
• Mile 2041.7: Large pond
• Mile 2044.9: Upper Lake, campsite
• Mile 2045.4: Cigar Lake, campsite
• Mile 2046.8: Small lake
• Mile 2047.4: Head Lake, campsite
• Mile 2051.2: Jude Lake, small campsite
• Mile 2051.8: Seasonal stream
• Mile 2056.5: Lemiti Creek, established campsite nearby
• Mile 2056.9: Trooper Spring
• Mile 2064.8: Small spring, 250 feet W of PCT, campsite nearby
• Mile 2066.4: Warm Springs River, double log crossing with handrail, campsites
• Mile 2066.8: Small spring, 300 feet E or PCT
• Mile 2075.6: Trailside water from Oak Grove Fork Clackamas River
• Mile 2075.9: Trailside spring
• Mile 2079.9: Trailside spring
• Mile 2080.4: Clackamas River, wooden bridge
• Mile 2084.7: Crater Creek, campsite

Mt Hood to Cascade Locks

What it was like

The next morning we climbed four steep miles to Timberline Lodge above the tree line. Friends picked us up there and welcomed us with a drink and views and we spent two nights in Portland. Two friends joined us for a night out in southeast Portland and we went to wine country for a special occasion.

We came back to the trail and covered the rest of Oregon to Cascade Locks in two and a half days. We took three alternates. The Paradise Park Loop had wildflower meadows and a different side of Mount Hood then came Ramona Falls and then Eagle Creek with Punchbowl Falls and its basalt columns. From the trail we saw Mount Adams, Mount Rainier, and Mount St. Helens and got a preview of Washington.

A friend brought another resupply to Cascade Locks. We had lunch, camped, and planned to cross the Bridge of the Gods into Washington the next morning.

Camping

Sandy River was a quiet camp at 3,269 ft and Eagle Creek sits at 1,285 ft after 5 miles of alternates. Cascade Locks is a town stop.

Towns

Timberline Lodge had trail magic for hikers: pancakes, beer, soda, fruit, and carbs.

Portland. We took a zero with friends who hosted us for two nights.

Cascade Locks. A friend brought our resupply and we took a night off and crossed the Bridge of the Gods the next morning.

Water

The longest gap between water sources on this stretch is about 8.4 miles, from Wahtum Lake (mile 2133.1) to Teakettle Spring (mile 2141.5).

Water sources on this stretch (24)

• Mile 2097.0: Stream, campsites
• Mile 2099.0: Salmon River
• Mile 2100.3: Little Zigzag River
• Mile 2102.0: Spring flowing across the trail
• Mile 2102.4: Zigzag River
• Mile 2104.1: Lost Creek
• Mile 2104.7: Headwaters of Rushing Water Creek. May be underground near the PCT
• Mile 2105.0: Small tributary of Rushing Water Creek
• Mile 2108.3: Rushing Water Creek, large campsite
• Mile 2108.5: Sandy River, often silty, can be a dangerous crossing
• Mile 2108.7: Ramona Falls. No camping within 500 feet of the falls
• Mile 2109.0: Trailside stream, large campsite nearby
• Mile 2110.6: Ramona Creek with a log footbridge
• Mile 2111.0: Muddy Fork, hiker bridge washed out in 2014 but fallen logs allowed crossing, campsites nearby
• Mile 2111.9: Seasonal tributary of Muddy Fork
• Mile 2116.3: Small tributary of the West Fork Hood River, small campsite nearby
• Mile 2120.3: Salvation Spring, campsites nearby
• Mile 2124.0: Small seasonal spring next to PCT, below Buck Peak
• Mile 2129.9: Indian Springs, piped spring
• Mile 2129.9: Indian Springs Campground, abandoned, spring nearby
• Mile 2133.1: Wahtum Lake, campsites
• Mile 2141.5: Teakettle Spring, next to PCT
• Mile 2145.4: Small tributary of Herman Creek
• Mile 2147.3: Dry Creek, wooden bridge

Reflections

We reached Cascade Locks at the start of August after 30 days in Oregon and crossed the Bridge of the Gods into Washington the next morning. Oregon was the flattest section and the one with the most mosquitoes and the most friends. My sister's family joined us for four days and hosts in Ashland and Portland took us in. The story continues in Washington.

Oregon by the numbers

• Wildlife: 5 deer, 1 brown snake, and 2 racers
• Longest days: 30.3 miles to the Warm Springs River, 27.1 to Diamond Lake, 25.8 to Eagle Creek and 25.5 to Fish Lake
• High point: Tipsoo Peak, 7,560 feet
• Summits: South Sister, Mt Thielsen, and Diamond Peak
• Zeros: Ashland (2), Eugene (2), Portland. Nero: Cascade Locks

What I'd tell someone starting at Ashland

1. Bring a head net. The mosquitoes were at their peak for about two weeks from Crater Lake to Shelter Cove and they bit through our sun hoodies.
2. Camp on ridges. A breeze kept the mosquitoes away from camp.
3. Plan around the youth camp hours. Big Lake Youth Camp holds packages but it's closed on Saturdays.
4. Take the side trails. South Sister from Moraine Lake, the Paradise Park Loop, and Ramona Falls were all worth the time.