Oregon · Hiking · Three Sisters Wilderness

Sunset Lake

3.2 mi
round trip
315 ft
climb
5,284 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Sunset Lake is a 3.2-mile out-and-back hike in Oregon's Three Sisters Wilderness, within the McKenzie River Ranger District of the Willamette National Forest. The trail is managed by the Forest Service and is rated moderate, with a total elevation gain of 315 feet over the round trip. The climb is front-loaded, with the steepest stretch at about 0.23 miles from the start, where the grade reaches 9 percent. The route begins at roughly 5,162 feet and peaks at about 5,284 feet before returning to the starting point. Horses are allowed, and the trail surface is natural. Bikes are not. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Wickiup Dam show July highs around 83°F with only about three wet days, while winter highs sit near 40°F. That station sits nearly 900 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the hike run cooler. The Horse Creek Trail #3514 lies about 0.4 miles away, and Breezy Point and Red Hill are each about 1.2 miles off. Elk Lake Campground, about 2.9 miles away, is the closest place to camp.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Sunset Lake

    Best months: May–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

      40° / 21°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      43° / 22°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      48° / 26°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      54° / 30°

      10 wet

    5. May

      63° / 36°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      71° / 42°

      6 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 47°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 46°

      3 wet

    9. Sep

      75° / 38°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 31°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      46° / 26°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      38° / 21°

      13 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Wickiup Dam, OR, 23.3 mi away at 4,358 ft. The station sits about 900 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.