Oregon · Hiking · Near Sisters

Whychus Creek

Whychus CreekPhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)
5.8 mi
round trip
1,152 ft
climb
3,868 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Jun, Aug–Sep
best months

Is Whychus Creek open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Deschutes National Forest. It doesn't name Whychus Creek, 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.

Whychus Creek is a 5.8-mile out-and-back hike in Oregon's Deschutes National Forest, within the Sisters Ranger District. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is rated moderate. The climb is about 1,150 feet round trip, with the high point at 3,868 feet and the low at 3,491 feet. The steepest stretch comes around the 2.1-mile mark, where the grade reaches about 15 percent. The trail surface is natural, and both horses and bikes are not allowed. For comfortable conditions, late spring through early fall works well. Typical averages from the Sisters weather station, about 3.5 miles away, show June highs near 74°F and September highs near 76°F, with July peaking around 86°F. The station sits roughly 700 feet below the hike's elevation range, so temperatures on the trail run a bit cooler. The Lower Whychus T.H Trailhead is the official trailhead, and the hike is open from May 1 through October 31. The trip takes about 2.5 hours. Close by are the Prt to Whychus Creek and the Hello Kitty Connector hikes, and climbers can head to Eagle Rock, about 2.3 miles away. Cold Springs Campground is about 6 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Three Sisters Overnight City Park

    Campground

    Campground · 3.8 mi from the trail
  • Eat after

    Three Creeks Brewing Company

    Brewery

    On your way back · 4 mi
  • If it rains

    Clearwater Gallery

    Gallery

    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–Jun, Aug–Sep

    Best time to visit Whychus Creek

    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°

    2. Feb

      44° / 22°

    3. Mar

      51° / 25°

    4. Apr

      57° / 29°

    5. May

      66° / 34°

    6. Jun

      74° / 39°

    7. Jul

      86° / 43°

    8. Aug

      85° / 42°

    9. Sep

      76° / 36°

    10. Oct

      61° / 29°

    11. Nov

      47° / 25°

    12. Dec

      39° / 20°

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Sisters, OR, 3.5 mi away at 3,180 ft. The station sits about 700 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.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Prt to Whychus CreekPhoto: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Prt to Whychus Creek

Next door

0.43-mile out-and-back trail to Whychus Creek in Oregon.

PETERSON RIDGE HORSE TRAILPhoto: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

PETERSON RIDGE HORSE TRAIL

~2 min drive

6.54-mile out-and-back horse trail in Oregon with 448 ft elevation gain

Peterson Ridge TiePhoto: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Peterson Ridge Tie

~2 min drive

6.50-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 663 ft gain

Top Run ConnectorPhoto: dogplusplus, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)

Top Run Connector

~2 min drive

Top Run Connector is a 1.94-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 58 feet of elevation gain.

Peterson Ridge TrailPhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Peterson Ridge Trail

~3 min drive

5.7-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 684 ft elevation gain.

Peterson Burn HorsePhoto: Forest Service Pacific Northwest Region, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)

Peterson Burn Horse

~3 min drive

16.74-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 803 ft gain.

Whychus Creek OverlookPhoto: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Whychus Creek Overlook

~2 min drive

0.85-mile loop trail at Whychus Creek Overlook in Oregon.

Eagle Rock LoopPhoto: inkknife_2000 (7.5 million views +), CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Eagle Rock Loop

~4 min drive

3.00-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 101 ft gain.

PETERSON RIDGE TRAIL EASTPhoto: Art Anderson, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

PETERSON RIDGE TRAIL EAST

~6 min drive

17.8-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 1,023 ft elevation gain and loss.

Cougar Draw Trail #4071Photo: U.S. Forest Service- Pacific Northwest Region, Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)

Cougar Draw Trail #4071

~2 min drive

0.8-mile out-and-back trail in Oregon with 277 ft of elevation gain.