Oregon · Hiking

Quartz Mtn. Nordic Trail

10.0 mi
round trip
2,635 ft
climb
5,842 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Sep
best months

Is QUARTZ MTN. NORDIC TRAIL open right now?

No closures listed

The Forest Service lists no closures for Fremont-Winema National Forest.

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

The Quartz Mt. Nordic Trail is an expert-level out-and-back hike in Oregon's Fremont-Winema National Forest, within the Bly Ranger District. The trail stretches about 20 miles, with a total climb of 2,635 feet from the start elevation of 5,506 feet to a high point of 5,842 feet. That makes it a significant, steady-grade journey, and the steepest section comes around 4.6 miles in, where the grade reaches 18%. The most comfortable stretch for a visit runs from late spring through early fall. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Bly put June highs near 76°F and September highs around 78°F, with fewer wet days in July and August. That station sits about 1,280 feet below the trail, so temperatures on the route run cooler than those figures. The trip is estimated to take about eight hours. The Main Trail South begins just 0.1 mile away, and the Quartz Nordic North Loop and Quartz Nordic East Loop are both within a mile. For an overnight stay, Lofton Reservoir and Holbrook Reservoir campgrounds are each about 4.5 miles off.

  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Sep

    Best time to visit QUARTZ MTN. NORDIC TRAIL

    Best months: May–June and 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

      42° / 21°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      46° / 23°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      51° / 26°

      13 wet

    4. Apr

      57° / 29°

      13 wet

    5. May

      66° / 37°

      10 wet

    6. Jun

      76° / 41°

      6 wet

    7. Jul

      86° / 49°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      86° / 45°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      78° / 38°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      64° / 30°

      7 wet

    11. Nov

      48° / 25°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      41° / 20°

      14 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bly 4 Se, OR, 14.4 mi away at 4,560 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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