Oregon · Hiking

Mule Creek

0.2 mi
round trip
53 ft
climb
2,821 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Mule Creek open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Powers Ranger District. It doesn't name Mule Creek, so check the source for the area it covers.

  • Rogue River National Recreation Trail Emergency Closure

    Agency closure covering Powers Ranger District · Order 06-10-28-26-05 · USFS · Powers Ranger District

As of · Source: USFS · Powers Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Mule Creek is an easy hike in the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests, on the Powers Ranger District in southwest Oregon. The trail is an out-and-back less than a quarter mile long, with a total elevation gain of 53 feet and a high point of about 2,821 feet. The climb is front-loaded, and the steepest stretch comes within the first 0.05 miles, with a grade of about 11 percent. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. July and August typically reach highs around 77°F with only about two wet days a month, based on averages from a nearby weather station at Sexton Summit. That station sits about 1,000 feet higher than the trail, so temperatures on the trail run warmer than the station's figures. The hike takes about half an hour to complete. Buck Creek campground is about 1.6 miles away, and Panther Ridge is a hike about 1.9 miles off. Paddlers can head to West Fork Mule Creek, roughly 2.3 miles away, and Eden Valley campground is about 4.2 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 Mule Creek

    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

      43° / 33°

      16 wet

    2. Feb

      44° / 33°

      15 wet

    3. Mar

      46° / 33°

      16 wet

    4. Apr

      52° / 35°

      14 wet

    5. May

      61° / 41°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      68° / 46°

      6 wet

    7. Jul

      77° / 53°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      77° / 54°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      70° / 51°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      58° / 43°

      9 wet

    11. Nov

      47° / 36°

      15 wet

    12. Dec

      41° / 32°

      16 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sexton Summit, OR, 30.8 mi away at 3,832 ft. The station sits about 1,000 ft higher than this place, so expect it a little warmer here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

    Closures we've recorded since August 2026

    • Stage 2 Public Use Fire Restrictions (Forest-wide)

      Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests · Order dated September 4, 2026; seen Sep 3, 2026 → lifted Oct 28, 2026 · Forest Service

    • Stage 3 Public Use Fire Restrictions (Forest-wide)

      Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests · Order dated July 17, 2026; seen Aug 23, 2026 → lifted Sep 3, 2026 · Forest Service

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive