Oregon · Hiking

Chain Slapper

Chain SlapperPhoto: ex_magician, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
0.5 mi
round trip
72 ft
climb
4,611 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Aug–Sep
best months

Chain Slapper is a short, easy hike in southern Oregon, set about 2.5 miles from the town of Terminal City. The route is an out-and-back that covers about a mile of trail, with a low point of 4,532 feet and a high point of 4,611 feet. The climb is front-loaded, with the steepest stretch at about 0.19 miles in from the start, peaking at 7%. Total elevation gain is 72 feet for the round trip. Summer and early fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from the nearby Klamath Falls airport weather station show July highs around 86°F with lows near 48°F and only about two wet days in July and August, while winter highs sit in the low 40s. The hike takes about half an hour to complete. Scratch lies just 0.2 miles away, and Endo and Tank are both within about a mile and a half. Climbers can find Cougar Rock Boulders roughly 7 miles off.

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 Chain Slapper

    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°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      46° / 23°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      52° / 27°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      58° / 29°

      9 wet

    5. May

      67° / 36°

      8 wet

    6. Jun

      76° / 41°

      5 wet

    7. Jul

      86° / 48°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      85° / 46°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      77° / 39°

      3 wet

    10. Oct

      64° / 31°

      6 wet

    11. Nov

      49° / 25°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      40° / 21°

      12 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Klamath Falls Intl Ap, OR, 8.9 mi away at 4,084 ft. The station sits about 500 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.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

EndoPhoto: ex_magician, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Endo

~2 min drive

0.57-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 542 ft gain.

TankPhoto: ex_magician, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Tank

~2 min drive

0.88-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 691 ft gain and 619 ft loss.

Use the ForcePhoto: ex_magician, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Use the Force

~3 min drive

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Klamath RidgeviewPhoto: ex_magician, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Klamath Ridgeview

~3 min drive

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Up and OverPhoto: The Wandering God, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Up and Over

~3 min drive

0.31-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 66 ft of elevation gain.

EnduroPhoto: ex_magician, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Enduro

~3 min drive

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ArcheryPhoto: The Wandering God, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Archery

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Express LanePhoto: The Wandering God, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Express Lane

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Tunnel of LovePhoto: The Wandering God, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Tunnel of Love

~3 min drive

0.42-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 203 ft elevation gain.

MeathookPhoto: ex_magician, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Meathook

~3 min drive

0.69-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 254 ft gain.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors