Oregon · Hiking · Near Sisters

Alder Springs

5.6 mi
round trip
1,711 ft
climb
2,597 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Aug–Sep
best months

Is Alder Springs open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Ochoco National Forest. It doesn't name Alder Springs, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Ochoco National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Alder Springs is a moderate, 5.6-mile out-and-back hike in central Oregon, set within the Crooked River National Grassland and Ochoco National Forest, both managed by the Forest Service. The trail's elevation gain of 531 feet takes you from a starting point near 2,580 feet to a high of about 2,600 feet, with the steepest stretch around mile 2.6, where the grade reaches 14 percent. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically late spring through early fall. A nearby weather station in Sisters records typical averages of 74°F highs and 39°F lows in June, and 76°F and 36°F in September. That station sits about 580 feet higher than the trail, so expect slightly warmer conditions on the lower ground. The Alder Springs Trailhead is the route's starting point, and the trail is open from June 1 to October 31. Whychus Crossing campground is about 1.7 miles away, and the Shelf Trail and Scout Camp Trail are both within about 2.4 miles. Steelhead Falls - Trail System lies roughly 3.6 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Whychus Crossing

    Campground

    Campground · 1.7 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Sonic

    Fast food

    Open after 6
  • If it rains

    Sisters Museum

    Museum

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Sisters

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Aug–Sep

    Best time to visit Alder Springs

    Best months: May–June and August–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      41° / 21°

    2. Feb

      44° / 22°

    3. Mar

      51° / 25°

    4. Apr

      57° / 29°

    5. May

      66° / 34°

    6. Jun

      74° / 39°

    7. Jul

      86° / 43°

    8. Aug

      85° / 42°

    9. Sep

      76° / 36°

    10. Oct

      61° / 29°

    11. Nov

      47° / 25°

    12. Dec

      39° / 20°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sisters, OR, 14 mi away at 3,180 ft. The station sits about 600 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Shelf TrailPhoto: BLM Oregon & Washington, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Shelf Trail

~4 min drive

Out-and-back trail featuring scenic shelf formations and expansive views.

Scout Camp TrailPhoto: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Scout Camp Trail

~4 min drive

1.87-mile out-and-back hike in Oregon with 1,466 ft gain.

Tam-A-LauPhoto: Ian Poellet, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Tam-A-Lau

~13 min drive

10.84-mile loop trail in Oregon with 1,674 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Cole Loop Trail #854

~21 min drive

22.34-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 3,366 ft elevation gain/loss.

Steelhead Falls - Trail SystemPhoto: BLM Oregon & Washington, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Steelhead Falls - Trail System

~6 min drive

Out-and-back waterfall hike featuring scenic cascades and creek-side forest.

Crooked River Rim TrailPhoto: Ian Poellet, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Crooked River Rim Trail

~16 min drive

2.08-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 952 ft elevation gain.

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Rim Trail

~12 min drive

5.88-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 2,678 ft elevation gain

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RIDGE RIDER - COLE LOOP

~22 min drive

23.64-mile loop in Oregon with 2,797 ft elevation gain and loss.

Folley Waters TrailPhoto: BLM Oregon & Washington, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Folley Waters Trail

~6 min drive

Out-and-back Oregon trail featuring water features and forest scenery.

Mesa Verde TrailPhoto: lamblukas, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Mesa Verde Trail

~20 min drive

0.74-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 1,045 ft elevation gain