Oregon · Hiking

Upper Missing Link

2.3 mi
round trip
1,215 ft
climb
5,415 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Upper Missing Link open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District. It doesn't name Upper Missing Link, so check the source for the area it covers.

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

Upper Missing Link is a 2.3-mile out-and-back hike in the Siskiyou Mountains Ranger District of the Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests in southern Oregon. The trail rises from about 4,840 feet to a high point of 5,415 feet, with a total elevation gain of 1,215 feet over the round trip. The climb is moderate, and the steepest stretch comes at about mile 1, where the grade reaches 22%. The trail is on natural surface and is open to both horses and bikes, according to the Forest Service's trail records. The trip takes about 1.5 hours, and the route is open year-round. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the Howard Prairie Dam weather station, about 17 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 regular snow days from December through February. Bull Gap lies just 0.1 mile away, and Corp Camp and Upper Eastview are within a mile. For an overnight stay, Mt Ashland campground is about 3.5 miles off.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Upper Missing Link

    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

      36° / 23°

      15 wet · 9 snow

    2. Feb

      40° / 23°

      14 wet · 8 snow

    3. Mar

      45° / 26°

      16 wet · 8 snow

    4. Apr

      50° / 29°

      13 wet · 4 snow

    5. May

      60° / 36°

      11 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      68° / 40°

      5 wet

    7. Jul

      79° / 47°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      79° / 46°

      2 wet

    9. Sep

      72° / 40°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      58° / 33°

      8 wet · 1 snow

    11. Nov

      42° / 28°

      13 wet · 5 snow

    12. 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, 17.1 mi away at 4,567 ft. The station sits about 800 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

    Closures we've recorded since August 2026

    • Stage 2 Public Use Fire Restrictions (Forest-wide)

      Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests · Order dated September 4, 2026; seen Sep 3, 2026 → lifted Oct 28, 2026 · Forest Service

    • Stage 3 Public Use Fire Restrictions (Forest-wide)

      Rogue River-Siskiyou National Forests · Order dated July 17, 2026; seen Aug 23, 2026 → lifted Sep 3, 2026 · Forest Service

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HIKE

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