Mount McLoughlin

Standing almost 4,500 feet above the surrounding landscape, Mt McLoughlin remains snow capped much of the year. While the mountain can be formidable during the winter and into spring, once melted out in the summer, a 5 mile trail on the east ridge leads to it's top. Out of the many routes up Mount McLoughlin, the East Ridge route is the most common and most moderate way up the mountain. Plan for a long, strenuous, and rocky hike up!

Distance & Elevation

5 miles & 3895 vertical feet from the summer trailhead. From the winter trailhead, 6 miles & 4425 vertical feet.

Terrain

Located in the Sky Lakes Wilderness area and part of the Cascade Volcanic Arc, Mount McLoughlin is a shield volcano topped by a lava cone. Its northeast side was carved out by a glacier during the last ice age creating the semi-cirque we see there today.

Directions & Map:

View Larger Map

From the Ashland Outdoor Store, head Southeast on Siskiyou Blvd/Hwy 99.
Turn Left onto Highway 66/Ashland St. Follow this past the interstate and around a right curve heading out of town.
Turn Left onto Dead Indian Memorial Road. Continue on Dead Indian Memorial Road for 21.6 miles.
Turn Left onto Big Elk Road/FS 37. Follow this for a little over 8 miles to where it dead-ends into Highway 140.
Turn Right onto Highway 140/Lake of the Woods Highway. Follow this for another 4 miles.
Turn Left on Four Mile Lake Rd/3650. On the Left is the Summit Sno Park. This is the Winter Parking for Mt McLoughlin. Please note that a Sno Park pass is required to park at any of these places November 1^st - April 30^th.
Continue on Four Mile Lake Rd/3650 for another approx 2.5 miles to the trailhead on the left. A Northwest Forest Pass is required to park here. If you have a low clearance vehicle, instead of heading down Four Mile Lake Rd/3650, go another approx 3.25 miles down Highway 140 to 3661 towards Fourmile lake. Take this approx 3 miles, turn left and the trailhead will be on your right.

Recommended Equipment

Having the right gear can make or break a trip, especially if something bad happens. Below is a general overview of the gear needed for climbing this mountain. Make sure to adjust this list based on which route you are doing, your strategy for climbing the route, the strength and experience of your group, and what the weather will be like during the climb. An easy way to remember what to pack is to break it down into groups of gear you need to have for the climb.

Sleeping
- Sleeping Bag
- Sleeping Pad
- Tent
Eating
- Food
- Cup, Bowl, Spoon
- Stove and fuel
- Cooking Pot
- Lighter
Layers
- Baselayer top and bottom (wool or synthetic)
- 3 pairs socks (one on your feet, one drying, and one for sleeping in)
- Softshell top and bottom (fleece top and nylon pants can work but are not as effective)
- Insulating top (synthetic fill works best but a heavy fleece can work)
- Hardshell top and bottom
- Down Jacket (for camp and breaks)
- 3 pairs of gloves (light, medium, and heavy weight - liners don't count!)
- Warm Hat
- Balaclava or neck gaiter
Climbing - most of the items in this catagory do you little good if you don't know how to properly use them!
- Backpack
- Mountaineering Boots
- Crampons
- Iceaxe
- Helmet
- Harness
- Rope
- Rescue Rack appropriate for the current conditions
- Map & Compass
- Tour Plan
- Avalanche Gear
  - Avalanche Beacon
  - Shovel
  - Probe
  - Knowledge and practice using this gear
  - A partner who also has this gear and knows how to use it
  - A printout of current avalanche conditions from the local avalanche center
Emergency Gear
- First Aid Kit
- Repair Kit (think about how your gear could break and then how to fix it!)
- Phone Numbers to local search & rescue
- Directions to closest hospital
Misc.
- Headlamp with extra batteries
- Sunscreen
- Glacier Glasses
- Lip balm
- Pocket knife
- Camera
- Down Booties / Camp Shoes

Food & Water

For water, 2L-3L per person per day is recommended just for drinking. Snow can be a great source of water on the mountain as long as you're careful about it and have the means to melt enough of it. Collect only clean looking white snow. We all know not to use the yellow snow but also don't use the red/pink snow. It is a type of algae that will do a number on your stomach.

As for food, several small snacks throughout the day are recommended. Big meals are fun but bog you down. Save the big meals for camp. Small snacks allow for a continual flow of energy to your body. For your snacks, try to balance sugars, fats, proteins, and carbs so your body is continually fueled. This helps reduce crashes in energy during the day.

Additional Info

Topo Map: Mount McLoughlin, OR
Trailhead Lat/Long: 42° 25' 15.27" N x 122° 15' 15.34" W
Trailhead elevation: 5600ft
Winter Trailhead Lat/Long: 42° 23' 46.08" N x 122° 17' 6.76" W
Winter Trailhead elevation: 5070ft
Summit Lat/Long: 42° 26' 40.41" N x 122° 18' 58.22" W
Summit elevation: 9495ft