Mt. McLoughlin Trail

Mt. McLoughlin Trail

Rouge River-Siskiyou National Forest

Sky Lakes Wilderness

Difficulty: Difficult 
Distance: 10 miles
Elevation Gain: 4,500 feet
Best time to go: June-September 

About this Hike 

Mt. McLoughlin is located within Sky Lakes Wilderness, and the 5 mile  trail to the summit winds through rocky terrain. There are multiple spots where the trail grows difficult to see and follow. After it leaves the Pacific Crest Trail behind (about a mile from the parking lot), the trail ascends through a boulder-strewn forest (watch for blazed trees). Above timberline piled-up rock cairns mark the ridge-top summit route. Along the ridge, the trail is marked by the old Forest Service telephone poles which lead to the top. Due to steep slopes, poor footing and coarse bare rock, horses are not recommended for the Mt. McLoughlin Trail above its junction with the Pacific Crest Trail.

Getting There

1. From Medford, go east on Highway 62 for 6 miles. 

2. After 6 miles, take Highway 140 east and continue on for approximately 35-40 miles until you pass the Lake of the Woods Visitor Center .

3. After the visitor center, turn left at a pointer for "Fourmile Lake" and continue for 2.9 miles until you reach an intersection with Road 3650. 

4. Go left at the intersection and continue on a gravel road until you reach the trailhead. 

 

 

Photo by Phillip Okeeffe