Oregon · Hiking · Near Sisters

Trail #12 - Meadow Lake

1.5 mi
round trip
333 ft
climb
4,771 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is TRAIL #12 - MEADOW LAKE open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Deschutes National Forest. It doesn't name TRAIL #12 - MEADOW LAKE, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Deschutes National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Trail #12 - Meadow Lake is an easy out-and-back hike in the Sisters Ranger District of Deschutes National Forest in Oregon, managed by the Forest Service. The route is about 3 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 333 feet, and it starts at roughly 4,756 feet, reaching a high point of about 4,771 feet before returning to the trailhead. The climb is back-loaded, with the steepest stretch at about 0.8 miles in, where the grade reaches 7 percent. The trail is short and gentle, making it a good choice for a quick outing. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Santiam Junction show July and August highs around 76°F with lows near 42°F. That station sits about 1,000 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the hike run cooler. Nearby, the Pacific Crest Trail - Santiam and the Circle Lake XC cross-country ski routes are both within about a mile. Big Lake campground is about 1.3 miles away, and the Oregon Volcanoes climbing area is about 4.4 miles off.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Big Lake

    Campground

    Campground · 1.3 mi from the trail
  • If it rains

    Kiwanis club

    Attraction

    In town

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Sisters

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit TRAIL #12 - MEADOW LAKE

    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.

    1. Jan

      38° / 24°

    2. Feb

      41° / 24°

    3. Mar

      44° / 26°

    4. Apr

      49° / 29°

    5. May

      58° / 35°

    6. Jun

      65° / 38°

    7. Jul

      76° / 42°

    8. Aug

      76° / 42°

    9. Sep

      69° / 39°

    10. Oct

      56° / 33°

    11. Nov

      42° / 28°

    12. Dec

      36° / 23°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Santiam Junction, OR, 6.3 mi away at 3,750 ft. The station sits about 1,000 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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