Oregon · Hiking · Three Sisters Wilderness

Wildcat

11.4 mi
round trip
1,732 ft
climb
5,045 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Wildcat open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Willamette National Forest. It doesn't name Wildcat, so check the source for the area it covers.

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

Wildcat is a hard hike in the Three Sisters Wilderness, part of the McKenzie River Ranger District of the Willamette National Forest in Oregon. The nearest town is Foley Springs, about 12 miles away. The trail is a natural-surface out-and-back that starts at roughly 4,800 feet and climbs to about 5,045 feet, with a total gain of 1,732 feet over the round trip. The steepest stretch comes at about mile 1, where the grade reaches 18%. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Odell Lake show July and August highs around 73 to 74°F, with only about three wet days a month. Winter brings highs in the mid-30s and regular snow days from December through February. The trail is open to horses, and bikes are not allowed. Rebel Creek Trail #3323 starts just 0.1 mile away, and South Fork is about 1.5 miles off. For an overnight base, Frissell Crossing Campground is about 2 miles away, and the South Fork McKenzie River offers canoeing about 3 miles out.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Wildcat

    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

      35° / 20°

      14 wet · 10 snow

    2. Feb

      38° / 21°

      13 wet · 9 snow

    3. Mar

      42° / 24°

      14 wet · 8 snow

    4. Apr

      46° / 28°

      11 wet · 4 snow

    5. May

      55° / 34°

      9 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      63° / 38°

      6 wet

    7. Jul

      73° / 44°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 42°

      3 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 36°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 30°

      9 wet · 1 snow

    11. Nov

      41° / 26°

      14 wet · 6 snow

    12. Dec

      34° / 20°

      15 wet · 10 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Odell Lake-East, OR, 30.3 mi away at 4,800 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.