Oregon · Hiking

Scratch

ScratchPhoto: ex_magician, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
1.9 mi
round trip
782 ft
climb
4,554 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Aug–Sep
best months

Caution at last check

Weather is marginal · OpenWeather · checked 12 h ago

Scratch is an easy out-and-back hike in southern Oregon, about 2.4 miles from the town of Terminal City. The route is roughly 3.7 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 782 feet, and it starts at about 4,496 feet, rising to a high point of 4,554 feet before returning to the starting elevation. The climb is most pronounced around the 1.2-mile mark, where the trail reaches a steep grade of 28 percent. That makes the hike a short, manageable outing rather than a long day on foot, and it pairs well with other nearby trails. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Klamath Falls show July highs around 86°F with only about two wet days, while winter highs sit in the low 40s. That station sits roughly 470 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the ridge run a little cooler. The hike takes about 1.5 hours to complete. Chain Slapper lies just 0.2 miles away, and Endo and Tank are both within about a mile and a half. For climbing, Cougar Rock Boulders is about 7 miles off.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Jun, Aug–Sep

    Best time to visit Scratch

    Best months: May–June and August–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

      41° / 21°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      46° / 23°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      52° / 27°

      11 wet

    4. Apr

      58° / 29°

      9 wet

    5. May

      67° / 36°

      8 wet

    6. Jun

      76° / 41°

      5 wet

    7. Jul

      86° / 48°

      2 wet

    8. Aug

      85° / 46°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      77° / 39°

      3 wet

    10. Oct

      64° / 31°

      6 wet

    11. Nov

      49° / 25°

      10 wet

    12. Dec

      40° / 21°

      12 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Klamath Falls Intl Ap, OR, 8.8 mi away at 4,084 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Chain SlapperPhoto: ex_magician, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Chain Slapper

Next door

0.50-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 100 ft elevation gain.

TankPhoto: ex_magician, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Tank

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EndoPhoto: ex_magician, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Endo

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~3 min drive

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Tunnel of LovePhoto: The Wandering God, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors