Oregon · Hiking

Cottonwood Loop

3.5 mi
loop
544 ft
climb
6,402 ft
high point
Loop
route
May–Jun, Aug–Oct
best months

Caution at last check

Agency alerts are in effect for this area; weather is marginal · USFS, OpenWeather · checked 20 h ago

Is Cottonwood Loop open right now?

No closures listed

The Forest Service lists no closures for Fremont-Winema National Forest.

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

Cottonwood Loop is a 3.5-mile loop hike in Oregon's Fremont-Winema National Forest, within the Lakeview Ranger District, about 14 miles from the town of Lakeview. The trail is a loop that starts and ends at Cottonwood Trailhead, which sits at about 6,231 feet. It gains roughly 544 feet in elevation over the course of the loop, with the high point at about 6,402 feet and the low point at about 6,009 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about the 1.5-mile mark, with a grade of about 25 percent. The trail is rated moderate, and it is a natural-surface route that allows horses and bikes. It is not an accessible trail. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Lakeview show July highs around 86°F with lows near 51°F and only about three wet days. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the loop run cooler. Winter is cold and wet, with January highs around 39°F and lows near 22°F. Camping is right beside the trail at Cottonwood Complex, about 0.1 mile away. The Cottonwood Creek and Cougar Peak hikes start within about a mile. Lofton Reservoir campground is about 8.9 miles away.

  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Aug–Oct

    Best time to visit Cottonwood Loop

    Best months: May–June and August–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

      39° / 22°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      42° / 24°

      10 wet

    3. Mar

      49° / 28°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      55° / 31°

      10 wet

    5. May

      65° / 38°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      74° / 44°

      5 wet

    7. Jul

      86° / 51°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      85° / 49°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      76° / 40°

      3 wet

    10. Oct

      63° / 33°

      5 wet

    11. Nov

      48° / 27°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      38° / 21°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lakeview 2 Nnw, OR, 14.6 mi away at 4,890 ft. The station sits about 1,500 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.

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