Oregon · Hiking · Near Sisters

North Fork

North ForkPhoto: Don Henise, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
3.2 mi
round trip
816 ft
climb
5,439 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is North Fork open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Deschutes National Forest. It doesn't name North Fork, 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.

North Fork is a moderate out-and-back hike of about 3.2 miles on natural-surface trails in the Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District of Oregon's Deschutes National Forest. The trail climbs roughly 446 feet on the way up and the same on the way back, with the high point at about 5,439 feet and the low point at about 4,982 feet. The climb starts steep, with a grade of about 13% at the very beginning, so plan for that early on. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is open year-round, with an estimated time of about 1.5 hours for the round trip. Bikes are allowed, but horses are not. For comfortable weather, summer and early fall are the best bets. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Sunriver run from highs of about 72°F in June to about 76°F in September, with the station sitting roughly 1,259 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the climb run cooler. Bridge Creek Trail #24 starts just 0.1 mile away. The Cougar Buttress and Main Area climbing areas are about 0.9 mile off, and Three Creeks Lake Campground is about 5 miles away for an overnight stay.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Three Creek Lake

    Campground

    Campground · 5.2 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Bend Pizza Kitchen

    Restaurant

    Open after 6
  • If it rains

    Clearwater Gallery

    Gallery

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Sisters

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit North Fork

    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° / 20°

    2. Feb

      43° / 21°

    3. Mar

      50° / 24°

    4. Apr

      57° / 25°

    5. May

      65° / 33°

    6. Jun

      72° / 37°

    7. Jul

      84° / 41°

    8. Aug

      83° / 40°

    9. Sep

      76° / 34°

    10. Oct

      62° / 28°

    11. Nov

      46° / 24°

    12. Dec

      37° / 19°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sunriver, OR, 12.3 mi away at 4,180 ft. The station sits about 1,300 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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Bridge Creek Trail #24Photo: Don Henise, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

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