Oregon · Hiking

Carpenter Mountain

2.0 mi
round trip
1,836 ft
climb
5,320 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Carpenter Mountain open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Willamette National Forest. It doesn't name Carpenter Mountain, so check the source for the area it covers.

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

Carpenter Mountain is a moderate out-and-back hike in the McKenzie River Ranger District of the Willamette National Forest in Oregon, about 2 miles long with an elevation gain of 811 feet. The trail starts at 5,246 feet and climbs to a high point of 5,320 feet before returning, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.82 miles, with a grade of 28 percent. The trail is on natural surface, and both bikes and horses are allowed, according to the Forest Service's trail records. It is open year-round, and the estimated time for the round trip is about 1.5 hours. Summer is the most comfortable season. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Santiam Junction put July and August highs around 76°F with lows near 42°F. That station sits about 1,570 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on top run cooler. Nearby, The Great Arch and South East Face climbing areas are about 1.4 miles away. Lookout Creek Old Growth and Trail Bridge Campground are within about 5 miles.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Carpenter Mountain

    Best months: May–October. 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

      38° / 24°

    2. Feb

      41° / 24°

    3. Mar

      44° / 26°

    4. Apr

      49° / 29°

    5. May

      58° / 35°

    6. Jun

      65° / 38°

    7. Jul

      76° / 42°

    8. Aug

      76° / 42°

    9. Sep

      69° / 39°

    10. Oct

      56° / 33°

    11. Nov

      42° / 28°

    12. Dec

      36° / 23°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Santiam Junction, OR, 14.6 mi away at 3,750 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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Route details

Distance
2.0 mi round trip
Climbing
About 1,836 ft
Summit
5,340 ft
Difficulty
Moderate
Time
About 1 hour

Season

Season: Year-round.

Questions about this route

How long is the Carpenter Mountain on Carpenter Mountain?

About 2.0 mi round trip.

How much elevation gain is on the Carpenter Mountain?

About 1,836 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the Carpenter Mountain?

It is rated moderate.

How long does the Carpenter Mountain take?

About 1 hour round trip.

When is the best time for the Carpenter Mountain?

Year-round.

Conditions and forecast on Carpenter Mountain

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.