Mountaineering · TRAIL Hard

McLoughlin Summit Trail

Distance RT
15.0 mi
Gain
5,400 ft
High Point
9,491 ft
Duration
9 hrs
Best Months
Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Trailhead
Fish Lake Trailhead
4,800 ft elevation
Drive east from Medford on Highway 140 to Fish Lake Resort (about 35 miles). Trailhead is at Fish Lake. Northwest Forest Pass or America the Beautiful Pass required.

A long but straightforward day hike on a maintained trail to the summit of southern Oregon's dominant peak. The upper mountain transitions from forest to open rocky terrain with views extending from Crater Lake to Mount Shasta on clear days.

Route Description

From Fish Lake Trailhead (4,800 ft) off Highway 140, follow the McLoughlin Trail (#3716) through lodgepole pine and hemlock forest, past Freye Lake, and up the increasingly rocky upper mountain to the summit. The final 1,000 feet involves boulder-hopping on volcanic rock.

Approach

Drive to Fish Lake off Highway 140 east of Medford, Oregon. Trailhead is at Fish Lake Resort.

Descent

Descend the ascent route.

Weather Forecast
7-Day Forecast
Fri, Sep 25
🌨️
Rain
34° / 24°
75%
💧0.13"
💨20
Today
☁️
Overcast
44° / 24°
2%
💨10
Tomorrow
☁️
Overcast
44° / 26°
2%
💨8
Mon, Sep 28
☁️
Overcast
48° / 25°
💨8
Tue, Sep 29
☁️
Overcast
52° / 28°
💨7
Wed, Sep 30
☁️
Overcast
52° / 26°
💨7
Thu, Oct 1
🌤️
Partly Cloudy
54° / 32°
1%
💨7
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