Oregon · Hiking

Dead Mountain Trail

5.8 mi
round trip
5,828 ft
climb
3,744 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Oct
best months

Is Dead Mountain Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Willamette National Forest. It doesn't name Dead Mountain Trail, 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.

Dead Mountain Trail is an out-and-back hike in Oregon's Willamette National Forest, within the Middle Fork Ranger District. It's an expert-level route that rises from about 3,500 feet to a high point of 3,744 feet, with a total elevation gain of 5,828 feet over the course of the 11.5-mile round trip. The trail begins with a steep climb, with the steepest section at about 0.06 miles in, and the overall grade is so high that the route is rated for expert hikers. July and August are the most comfortable months to go, with typical highs around 79°F and only about four wet days a month, based on averages from a nearby weather station at a similar elevation. Winter is harsher, with snow on roughly 10 days a month from December through January. The trip takes about 6.5 hours. Nearby, South Salmon Creek and Salmon Creek are both under 2 miles away, and Salmon Creek Falls campground is about 1.8 miles off. Climbers can head to Tumble Creek, roughly 6.7 miles from the trail.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Oct

    Best time to visit Dead Mountain Trail

    Best months: June–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° / 27°

      17 wet · 10 snow

    2. Feb

      42° / 27°

      15 wet · 9 snow

    3. Mar

      46° / 29°

      17 wet · 9 snow

    4. Apr

      50° / 32°

      17 wet · 5 snow

    5. May

      61° / 38°

      14 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      68° / 43°

      9 wet

    7. Jul

      79° / 48°

      4 wet

    8. Aug

      79° / 47°

      4 wet

    9. Sep

      72° / 43°

      6 wet

    10. Oct

      58° / 36°

      12 wet · 1 snow

    11. Nov

      45° / 31°

      16 wet · 6 snow

    12. Dec

      38° / 26°

      18 wet · 11 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Lemolo Lake 3 Nnw, OR, 30.1 mi away at 4,077 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors