Oregon · Hiking

Potlicker

1.0 mi
round trip
347 ft
climb
4,887 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Potlicker open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District. It doesn't name Potlicker, so check the source for the area it covers.

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

Potlicker is an easy, 1-mile out-and-back hike in the Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests in southern Oregon. The trail rises about 320 feet from its starting point, reaching a high point of 4,887 feet, and the climb is front-loaded, with the steepest stretch at about 0.34 miles. The route is natural-surface and allows both horses and bikes. The Forest Service manages the land. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Howard Prairie Dam show July and August highs around 79°F with only two or three wet days a month, while winter brings highs in the mid-30s and several snow days each month. The trail opens from June 1 through October 31, and the hike takes about half a day. Horn Gap Trail and No Candles are both about 1.3 miles away, and climbers can head to Mt. Ashland's Dream Boulder, about 3 miles off. Mt. Ashland campground is about 3.8 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 Potlicker

    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

      36° / 23°

      15 wet · 9 snow

    2. Feb

      40° / 23°

      14 wet · 8 snow

    3. Mar

      45° / 26°

      16 wet · 8 snow

    4. Apr

      50° / 29°

      13 wet · 4 snow

    5. May

      60° / 36°

      11 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      68° / 40°

      5 wet

    7. Jul

      79° / 47°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      79° / 46°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      72° / 40°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      58° / 33°

      8 wet · 1 snow

    11. Nov

      42° / 28°

      13 wet · 5 snow

    12. Dec

      35° / 23°

      15 wet · 9 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Howard Prairie Dam, OR, 19.9 mi away at 4,567 ft. 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

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