Oregon · Hiking · Waldo Lake Wilderness

Winchester Ridge

10.0 mi
round trip
2,357 ft
climb
5,848 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Winchester Ridge open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Willamette National Forest. It doesn't name Winchester Ridge, 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.

Winchester Ridge is a 10-mile out-and-back hike in Oregon's Waldo Lake Wilderness, within the Middle Fork Ranger District of the Willamette National Forest. The trail climbs from about 5,187 feet to a high point of 5,848 feet, with a total gain of 2,357 feet over the round trip. The steepest stretch comes at about 4.2 miles, where the grade reaches 17 percent. The route is rated hard, and the Forest Service manages the land. 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, while winter brings highs in the mid-30s and regular snow days. The trail is on natural surface, and horses are allowed. Bikes are not. The trip takes about 4.5 hours, and the route is open year-round. Winchester Lake and Blair Lake Trail both sit within half a mile. Skookum Creek Campground and the Lost Art Area climbing area are each about 4 miles away.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Winchester Ridge

    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, 19.6 mi away at 4,800 ft. The station sits about 1,000 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.