Oregon · Hiking

Lower Middle Fork

Lower Middle ForkPhoto: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
3.3 mi
round trip
501 ft
climb
1,088 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Lower Middle Fork open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Willamette National Forest. It doesn't name Lower Middle Fork, 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.

Lower Middle Fork is an out-and-back hike of about 3.3 miles in Oregon's Willamette National Forest, within the Middle Fork Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is rated moderate. The route rises about 53 feet from a low point of 1,044 feet to a high of 1,088 feet. It's a natural-surface trail that accommodates both horses and bikes, so it works for riders and horsebackers as well as hikers. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. At the Oakridge Fish Hatchery weather station, about 4 miles away, typical July and August highs average around 80 to 81°F, with only two or three wet days a month. Winter is wetter and cooler, with highs in the low 40s and about 16 to 17 wet days a month from December through January. Several other trails sit within a mile, including Wren Loop, Alpine Trail and Deception Butte. Paddlers can head to Deception Creek, about 1.5 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Lower Middle Fork

    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

      44° / 31°

      16 wet · 1 snow

    2. Feb

      49° / 32°

      14 wet · 1 snow

    3. Mar

      54° / 34°

      16 wet · 1 snow

    4. Apr

      59° / 37°

      15 wet

    5. May

      66° / 43°

      11 wet

    6. Jun

      71° / 47°

      7 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 51°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      81° / 50°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      76° / 45°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      63° / 40°

      10 wet

    11. Nov

      49° / 35°

      15 wet

    12. Dec

      42° / 32°

      17 wet · 1 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Oakridge Fish Hatchery, OR, 4.1 mi away at 1,275 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.