Oregon · Hiking · Near Sisters

Circle Lake Xc

Circle Lake XcPhoto: eddiecoyote, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
2.9 mi
round trip
590 ft
climb
4,827 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is CIRCLE LAKE XC open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Deschutes National Forest. It doesn't name CIRCLE LAKE XC, so check the source for the area it covers.

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

Circle Lake XC is a moderate out-and-back hike in the Sisters Ranger District of Deschutes National Forest in Oregon, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is about 5.7 miles long, with a total climb of about 590 feet and a high point of about 4,827 feet. The route starts at roughly 4,717 feet and ends at the same elevation, so the climb is steady and the steepest stretch comes around mile 2.4, where the grade reaches about 7%. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Santiam Junction show July and August highs around 76°F with lows near 42°F, and the station sits about 1,000 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the route run cooler. Several other trails lie close by. Trail #1 - Island Lake is about half a mile away, and Two Buttes Cutoff and Trail #4 - Link Lake Cutoff are each within about a mile. For an overnight stay, Big Lake campground is about 2.3 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Big Lake

    Campground

    Campground · 2.3 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    The Boathouse

    Restaurant

    On your way back · 5 mi
  • If it rains

    Kiwanis club

    Attraction

    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–Oct

    Best time to visit CIRCLE LAKE XC

    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, 6.1 mi away at 3,750 ft. The station sits about 1,100 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

TRAIL #1 - ISLAND LAKEPhoto: eddiecoyote, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

TRAIL #1 - ISLAND LAKE

Next door

2.98-mile out-and-back hike to Island Lake in Oregon with 549 ft elevation gain

Three-Fingered Jack Climbers TrailPhoto: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Three-Fingered Jack Climbers Trail

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TRAIL 14 - SUTTLE LAKE LOOPPhoto: Bonnie Moreland (free images), Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

TRAIL 14 - SUTTLE LAKE LOOP

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Old Summit Trail #4014

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TRAIL #4 - LINK LAKE CUTOFFPhoto: eddiecoyote, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

TRAIL #4 - LINK LAKE CUTOFF

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1.56-mile out-and-back trail with 256 ft gain and loss, max elevation 4,515 ft.

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TRAIL #3A

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TRAIL 10 - CACHE MOUNTAIN LOOPPhoto: Bonnie Moreland (free images), Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

TRAIL 10 - CACHE MOUNTAIN LOOP

~5 min drive

3.98-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 738 ft elevation gain and loss.

HIKE

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~5 min drive

11.60-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 1,253 ft elevation gain.