Quartz Valley Nordic Loop
Photo: Gary Halvorson, Oregon State Archives, CC BY 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)- 3.4 mi
- loop
- 467 ft
- climb
- 5,845 ft
- high point
- Loop
- route
- May–Jun, Sep
- best months
Is QUARTZ VALLEY NORDIC LOOP 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 Valley Nordic Loop is an easy hike of about 3.4 miles in Oregon's Fremont-Winema National Forest, within the Bly Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land. The trail starts at roughly 5,630 feet and climbs to a high point of about 5,845 feet, with a total elevation gain of 467 feet, before descending to a low point of about 5,553 feet. The steepest stretch comes near the start, at about 11% grade. The route is a loop, so it is neither out-and-back nor one-way. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station show July and August highs around 86°F with only a few wet days, while winter highs sit in the low 40s. That station sits about 1,300 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the loop run cooler. The Quartz Nordic East Loop and Quartz Nordic North Loop, both about 1.2 miles away, are cross-country ski routes. MAIN TRAIL SOUTH, about 1.4 miles off, is another hiking option. For an overnight stay, Lofton Reservoir campground is about 5.2 miles away.
Best time to go · May–Jun, Sep
Best time to visit QUARTZ VALLEY NORDIC LOOP
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.
Jan
42° / 21°
13 wet
Feb
46° / 23°
11 wet
Mar
51° / 26°
13 wet
Apr
57° / 29°
13 wet
May
66° / 37°
10 wet
Jun
76° / 41°
6 wet
Jul
86° / 49°
3 wet
Aug
86° / 45°
2 wet
Sep
78° / 38°
4 wet
Oct
64° / 30°
7 wet
Nov
48° / 25°
11 wet
Dec
41° / 20°
14 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Bly 4 Se, OR, 13.8 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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