Oregon · Hiking

Rhododendron Ridge

8.0 mi
round trip
2,374 ft
climb
5,335 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Jun–Sep
best months

Is Rhododendron Ridge open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Clackamas River Ranger District. It doesn't name Rhododendron Ridge, so check the source for the area it covers.

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

Rhododendron Ridge is a hard hike in Oregon's Mt. Hood National Forest, within the Clackamas River Ranger District. The route is an out-and-back of about 8 miles, with a total elevation gain of 2,374 feet. The climb is back-loaded, meaning the steepest stretch comes near the end, and the trail's natural surface adds to the challenge. The route starts at about 5,153 feet and reaches a high point of 5,335 feet. The steepest section, a 25% grade, occurs around 0.4 miles in. The trip takes about 4 hours, and the Forest Service manages the land. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Government Camp show July and August highs around 70°F with only about four wet days a month, while winter brings highs in the mid-30s and rain on most days. That station sits roughly 1,355 feet lower than the ridge, so temperatures up high run cooler. Nearby, Rhododendron Ridge Trail #564 is about 3 miles away, and Dickey Creek is about 3.7 miles off. Paddlers can head to the Collawash River, about 4 miles away, and Kingfisher campground is about 6 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · Jun–Sep

    Best time to visit Rhododendron Ridge

    Best months: June–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

      37° / 26°

      20 wet

    2. Feb

      38° / 26°

      17 wet

    3. Mar

      41° / 28°

      20 wet

    4. Apr

      45° / 31°

      18 wet

    5. May

      54° / 36°

      15 wet

    6. Jun

      59° / 41°

      10 wet

    7. Jul

      69° / 48°

      4 wet

    8. Aug

      70° / 48°

      4 wet

    9. Sep

      64° / 45°

      8 wet

    10. Oct

      53° / 37°

      13 wet

    11. Nov

      42° / 30°

      18 wet

    12. Dec

      35° / 26°

      21 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Government Camp, OR, 26.2 mi away at 3,980 ft. The station sits about 1,400 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.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

RiversidePhoto: Forest Service, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Riverside

~15 min drive

7.20-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 2,285 ft elevation gain.

Alder FlatPhoto: Forest Service, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Alder Flat

~16 min drive

1.60-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 260 ft gain.

Bagby Trail #544Photo: mjfmjfmjf, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Bagby Trail #544

~17 min drive

10.68-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 3,373 ft elevation gain.

Gold Butte LookoutPhoto: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Gold Butte Lookout

~19 min drive

2.50-mile out-and-back trail to Gold Butte Lookout in Oregon with 1,145 ft gain.

HIKE

Rhododendron Ridge Trail #564

~5 min drive

6.36-mile out-and-back trail on a ridge in Oregon with 1,178 ft of gain

RapidanPhoto: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Rapidan

~18 min drive

1.60-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 214 ft gain.

HIKE

Elk Lake Creek Trail #559

~8 min drive

17.3-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 3,751 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Dickey Lake Trail

~13 min drive

1.26-mile out-and-back trail with 75 ft gain and 1,078 ft loss in Oregon.

HIKE

Dickey Creek

~6 min drive

11.74-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 3,318 ft elevation gain.

HIKE

Elk Lake Creek

~8 min drive

0.60-mile out-and-back trail at Elk Lake Creek, Oregon

Route details

Distance
8.0 mi round trip
Climbing
About 2,374 ft
Summit
5,345 ft
Difficulty
Hard
Time
About 3 hours

Questions about this route

How long is the Rhododendron Ridge on Mount Lowe?

About 8.0 mi round trip.

How much elevation gain is on the Rhododendron Ridge?

About 2,374 ft of climbing round trip.

How hard is the Rhododendron Ridge?

It is rated hard.

How long does the Rhododendron Ridge take?

About 3 hours round trip.

Conditions and forecast on Mount Lowe

Daily highs and lows, wind and the chance of precipitation at the summit and route start for the next 7 days, from the Open-Meteo model.