Oregon · Hiking

Water Tower Mountain Trail

Water Tower Mountain TrailPhoto: Robert Ashworth from Bellingham, WA., USA, CC BY 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
1.3 mi
round trip
2,860 ft
climb
4,344 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Water Tower Mountain Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Detroit Ranger District. It doesn't name Water Tower Mountain Trail, so check the source for the area it covers (2 listed).

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

Water Tower Mountain Trail is a hard hike in the Detroit Ranger District of Oregon's Willamette National Forest, managed by the Forest Service. The trail is an out-and-back of about 2.5 miles, with a total elevation gain of about 2,860 feet. The climb is front-loaded, so the steepest part comes early in the route. 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 600 feet lower than the trail's high point, so temperatures on the mountain run cooler. Sardine Mountain Trail is about 2 miles away, and Tumble Lake and Dome Rock are each within about 3 miles. For an overnight stay, Southshore Campground is about 4 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 Water Tower Mountain Trail

    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, 25.4 mi away at 3,750 ft. The station sits about 600 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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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors