Oregon · Hiking · Three Sisters Wilderness

Mink Lake

9.7 mi
round trip
1,673 ft
climb
5,348 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Mink Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Deschutes National Forest. It doesn't name Mink Lake, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

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

Mink Lake is a hard hike in Oregon's Three Sisters Wilderness, within the Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District of Deschutes National Forest. The trail is an out-and-back of about 9.7 miles, with a total elevation gain of 1,673 feet. The route starts at roughly 5,209 feet and reaches a high point of 5,348 feet, and the steepest stretch comes within the first quarter mile, with a grade of about 20 percent. The trail is on natural surface, and horses are allowed. Bikes are not. The Forest Service manages the land, and the hike is open year-round. Plan for about four hours on the trail. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Wickiup Dam show July highs around 83°F with lows near 47°F and only about three wet days. That station sits roughly 1,000 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the route run cooler. Lake Side is about 0.7 miles away, and Porky Lake and Elk Creek are each within about a mile. Paddlers can reach the South Fork McKenzie River about 5 miles off.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Mink Lake

    Best months: May–September. 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

      40° / 21°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      43° / 22°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      48° / 26°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      54° / 30°

      10 wet

    5. May

      63° / 36°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      71° / 42°

      6 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 47°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 46°

      3 wet

    9. Sep

      75° / 38°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 31°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      46° / 26°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      38° / 21°

      13 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Wickiup Dam, OR, 19.9 mi away at 4,358 ft. The station sits about 1,000 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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