Oregon · Hiking

Cougar Creek

0.8 mi
round trip
164 ft
climb
4,535 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Apr–Oct
best months

Is Cougar Creek open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Ochoco National Forest. It doesn't name Cougar Creek, so check the source for the area it covers.

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

Cougar Creek is a short, easy out-and-back hike in the Lookout Mountain Ranger District of Ochoco National Forest in Oregon, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is about 0.8 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 164 feet, and it starts and ends at roughly 4,534 feet. The high point on the route reaches about 4,535 feet, and the steepest stretch comes at about 0.34 miles in, with an 8% grade. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Mitchell run to highs around 83°F in July and 82°F in August, with only three or four wet days a month. That station sits well below the trail, so temperatures on the route run cooler. The hike takes about half an hour. Cougar Creek Trail #835 and Ochoco Way are both about 0.4 miles away, and Ochoco Divide Group Site is about 1.2 miles off. For a longer outing, MCGINNIS CREEK lies about 1.5 miles away.

  • Best time to go · Apr–Oct

    Best time to visit Cougar Creek

    Best months: April–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

      43° / 26°

      10 wet

    2. Feb

      46° / 26°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      52° / 29°

      10 wet

    4. Apr

      57° / 33°

      10 wet

    5. May

      65° / 39°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      72° / 44°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 51°

      4 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 51°

      3 wet

    9. Sep

      75° / 45°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 37°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      50° / 30°

      9 wet

    12. Dec

      41° / 25°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Mitchell 2 E, OR, 13.6 mi away at 3,320 ft. The station sits about 1,200 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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