Tam McArthur Rim

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Hike Details:

Mileage: 5.6 miles out and back w/ 1,400 ft. elevation gain
Approximate hike time: 2 hours 15 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.5 mph
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: High on summer weekends, medium on summer weekdays, low on fall weekdays
General location: 16 miles south of Sisters - Three Sisters Wilderness - Deschutes National Forest
Suggested seasons: Summer, fall
(Best time to go is early August to see some wildflowers. If you want to hike when there are less people, go here in mid to late September or early October).
Permits required: Limited Entry Permit for day hikes & over night (May 28 - Sept. 24, 2021) outside of those dates, self issue wilderness permit & Annual Northwest Forest Pass for parking.
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs on leash, camping

Description:

Tam McArthur Rim is one of the most popular hikes in Central Oregon and for good reason. It is moderate in difficulty and offers absolutely spectacular views of the Cascade Mountains as well as some of the amazing blue-green alpine lakes around the area. You can choose to keep this hike short and family friendly at just over 5 miles out and back, or you can continue along Broken Hand and go all the way to Broken Top No Name Lake, making it a much more difficult hike at 12 miles roundtrip. 
The parking area is large but even so, the trailhead fills up and cars spill out onto the main gravel road during summer weekend days. It is recommended to do this hike on a week day and/or very early in the morning!

Because the trail takes you into the Three Sisters Wilderness, don't forget to fill out your free self-issue wilderness permit at the trailhead. The wide smooth trail starts out steadily climbing uphill the first half mile. In late July and early August the trail is lined with beautiful purple Lupine flowers. After 0.5 miles you will start going up some short switchbacks over the next 0.3 miles. From here you can enjoy some of your first views of Three Creek Lake, Mt. Washington, Three Fingered Jack and Mt. Jefferson. 

(Three Creek Lake, Mt. Washington, Three Fingered Jack & Mt. Jefferson)

After the switchbacks, the trail wraps around the side of a hill, and then it takes you across a very open area. As you continue going uphill, you will start to see views of Mt. Bachelor to the south as well as better views of Three Creek Lake (which is heart shaped). Once you are on Tam McArthur Ridge, you will notice that the trail starts to get a little bit rockier, but the rocks are generally pretty large and they don't tend to be very loose. 

(Mount Bachelor)

(Upper Three Creek Lake)

After hiking 0.7 miles along the ridge, you will come to an excellent viewpoint where you can see Broken Top and Middle and North Sister up close, as well as the other Cascade Mountains to the north. There will be a sign saying End Of Trail and another trail sign nearby that reads Trail Not Maintained. If you can hike long distances and trust your navigation skills through snowfields, you can continue heading up Broken Hand and make your way all the way to Broken Top No Name Lake, but that makes this hike a lot longer and because there is no trail maintenance beyond that point, a lot more difficult too. 

(Broken Top)

(Middle Sister & North Sister)

Because Tam McArthur Rim is at 7,700 feet elevation, there can be lingering snowdrifts along this trail until mid-July sometimes so if you are not comfortable hiking over some snow, wait until a bit later in the season to do this hike. 

(panorama of the Tam McArthur Rim viewpoint)

Overall, this hike is family friendly and is appropriate for all levels of hikers. The only reason it is rated 'moderate' is because of the elevation gain throughout the hike. If you would like to make this hike more difficult, you can continue on over Broken Hand to Broken Top and No Name Lake, otherwise, you can enjoy the scenery at the Tam McArthur Rim viewpoint and then turn back. This trail is pretty exposed to the sun, so remember to pack lots of water, sunscreen and a hat. 

Directions:

From Bend

• Drive on US-97 north for 2.1 miles then take exit 135A to merge onto US-20 W toward Sisters. Stay on US-20 W for 18.9 miles then turn left onto S Locust St. for 0.2 miles, then turn right onto E Tyee Dr. for 0.4 miles. Turn left onto Three Creek Rd. for 0.9 miles, then turn left onto Three Creek Rd. and stay on this road for about 15 miles and find the trailhead parking on your right. (Total of 38.2 miles)

From Eugene

• Drive OR-126 east toward Springfield. At a traffic light use the two left lanes to turn left, following signs to continue on OR-126 for another 72.6 miles. Shortly after Clear Lake Resort, take a slight right onto US-20 east for 29 miles to the town of Sisters. In Sisters turn right onto S Elm St. This will become Three Creek Rd/NF-16 after about a mile. Then continue down this road for about 14.5 miles and find the trailhead parking on your right. (Total of  122 miles)

From Salem

• Drive OR-22 east toward Detroit Lake/Bend for 80.3 miles then take a slight left onto US-20 east to the town of Sisters for 25.5 miles. In Sisters turn right on S Elm St. This will become Three Creek Rd/NF-16 after about a mile. Then continue down this road for about 14.5 miles and find the trailhead parking on your right. (Total of 125 miles)

From Portland

• Total of 168 miles via Salem.

From Medford

• Total of 210 miles via Bend.

*All pictures are taken by Franziska Weinheimer

*Disclaimer: The trail descriptions, mileage, GPS tracks and difficulty ratings depicted on this website are never 100% accurate. Always hike at your own risk, using your own knowledge, equipment and common sense. 
Franziska Weinheimer/Hike Oregon are not responsible if you or anyone in your party gets injured or lost while attempting one of these or any other hikes.

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