Oregon · Hiking · Near Sisters

Bitterbrush Loop

Bitterbrush LoopPhoto: dogplusplus, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
2.2 mi
loop
578 ft
climb
5,774 ft
high point
Loop
route
May–Sep
best months

Is BITTERBRUSH LOOP open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Deschutes National Forest. It doesn't name BITTERBRUSH 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.

Bitterbrush Loop is an easy hike of about 2.2 miles in the Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District of Deschutes National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. It starts at roughly 5,525 feet and climbs to about 5,774 feet, with a total gain of 578 feet. The steepest stretch comes around mile 2, where the grade reaches about 15%. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically June through September, when typical averages from a nearby weather station in Sunriver run from highs in the low 70s to the mid 80s. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the loop run cooler. Several other outings sit close by. Gentian, a cross-country ski area, is about 0.1 mile away. Sector 16 and the Tumalo Ridge Trail are each about 0.9 mile off. Cougar Buttress, a climbing area, lies about 2.3 miles away.

Around this trail

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

    Three Creek Lake

    Campground

    Campground · 7.6 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Rancho

    Restaurant

    Open after 6
  • If it rains

    Art Gallery Dyrk Godby

    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 BITTERBRUSH 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° / 20°

    2. Feb

      43° / 21°

    3. Mar

      50° / 24°

    4. Apr

      57° / 25°

    5. May

      65° / 33°

    6. Jun

      72° / 37°

    7. Jul

      84° / 41°

    8. Aug

      83° / 40°

    9. Sep

      76° / 34°

    10. Oct

      62° / 28°

    11. Nov

      46° / 24°

    12. Dec

      37° / 19°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sunriver, OR, 9.9 mi away at 4,180 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.

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