Oregon · Hiking · Three Sisters Wilderness

French Pete

11.1 mi
round trip
2,540 ft
climb
4,500 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is French Pete open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Willamette National Forest. It doesn't name French Pete, 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.

French Pete is a hard hike in Oregon's Three Sisters Wilderness, within the McKenzie River Ranger District of the Willamette National Forest. The trail is an out-and-back of about 11 miles, with a total elevation gain of about 2,540 feet, and it reaches a high point of about 4,500 feet. The climb is front-loaded, with the steepest stretch at about 1.9 miles in, where the grade reaches about 21 percent. The trail is on natural surface and is open to horses. Bikes are not allowed. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Santiam Junction, which sits about 750 feet lower than the trail's high point, show July and August highs around 76°F with lows near 42°F. Winter is cold, with January highs around 38°F and lows near 24°F. The trip is estimated to take about five hours. The trail is open year-round. Nearby, Walker Creek Trail #3330 is about 1.5 miles away, and French Pete Creek offers canoeing about 2.4 miles off. Hard Rock Campground and Red Diamond Campground are both within about 3.4 miles.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit French Pete

    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, 28.7 mi away at 3,750 ft. The station sits about 800 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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