Oregon · Hiking · Near Sisters

Beginners Loop

1.1 mi
round trip
201 ft
climb
5,948 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is BEGINNERS LOOP open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Deschutes National Forest. It doesn't name BEGINNERS LOOP, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

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

Beginners Loop is an easy, short out-and-back hike in the Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District of Oregon's Deschutes National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The route is about 2.2 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 201 feet, and it starts and ends near 5,940 feet. The climb is gentle, with the steepest stretch at about 0.9 miles in, and the high point reaches about 5,948 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Wickiup Dam show July highs around 83°F with only about three wet days, while winter highs there sit in the low 40s. That station sits roughly 1,600 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the loop run cooler. The loop sits close to several other spots. Swampy Lakes Loop and the Swampy-Dutchman Trail #40 are both within a third of a mile, and the Swampy Lakes hike is about 0.4 miles away. Climbers can find Cougar Buttress about 3.5 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Todd Creek Horse Camp

    Campground

    Campground · 6.2 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Rancho

    Restaurant

    Open after 6
  • If it rains

    Clearwater Gallery

    Gallery

    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–Sep

    Best time to visit BEGINNERS LOOP

    Best months: May–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

      40° / 21°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      43° / 22°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      48° / 26°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      54° / 30°

      10 wet

    5. May

      63° / 36°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      71° / 42°

      6 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 47°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 46°

      3 wet

    9. Sep

      75° / 38°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 31°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      46° / 26°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      38° / 21°

      13 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Wickiup Dam, OR, 21.9 mi away at 4,358 ft. The station sits about 1,600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.