Return Loop
- 4.3 mi
- round trip
- 1,876 ft
- climb
- 5,192 ft
- high point
- Out and back
- route
- May–Oct
- best months
Is RETURN 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.
Return Loop is a moderate out-and-back hike of about 8.7 miles in the Klamath Ranger District of the Fremont-Winema National Forest in southern Oregon. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail starts at about 4,484 feet, rising to a high point of about 5,192 feet. The climb is steepest around the 2-mile mark, with a grade of about 13%, and the total elevation gain for the round trip is about 1,876 feet. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the Howard Prairie Dam weather station, about 18 miles away, show July and August highs near 79°F with only two or three wet days a month. Winter brings highs in the mid-30s and frequent snow days. Nearby, Bull Swamp Trail and South Ridge are both within about 2.6 miles. Doe Point Campground and Fourmile Lake Campground sit about 3.2 and 3.5 miles away.
Local outfitters
- Sky Lakes Wilderness Adventures19 mi away
- Yamsi Fly Fishing25 mi away
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
Best time to go · May–Oct
Best time to visit RETURN LOOP
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.
Jan
36° / 23°
15 wet · 9 snow
Feb
40° / 23°
14 wet · 8 snow
Mar
45° / 26°
16 wet · 8 snow
Apr
50° / 29°
13 wet · 4 snow
May
60° / 36°
11 wet · 1 snow
Jun
68° / 40°
5 wet
Jul
79° / 47°
3 wet
Aug
79° / 46°
2 wet
Sep
72° / 40°
4 wet
Oct
58° / 33°
8 wet · 1 snow
Nov
42° / 28°
13 wet · 5 snow
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, 17.8 mi away at 4,567 ft. The station sits about 600 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
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