Tam McArthur Rim
​Hike details:
Mileage: 5.6 miles round trip w/ 1,250 ft. elevation gain
Approximate hike time: 2 hours 15 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.5 mph
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: High during the summer, low on fall weekdays, medium on fall weekends
Highest elevation: 7,710 ft. Lowest elevation: 6,510 ft.
General location: 16 miles south of Sisters - Three Sisters Wilderness - Deschutes National Forest
Accessible: End of June to early November
(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: Day trips & overnight - Central Cascades Wilderness Permit June 15 - October 15 available via recreation.gov
Northwest Forest Pass for parking
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs on leash, camping
Possible dangers: Steep drop offs along the rim
Approximate hike time: 2 hours 15 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.5 mph
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: High during the summer, low on fall weekdays, medium on fall weekends
Highest elevation: 7,710 ft. Lowest elevation: 6,510 ft.
General location: 16 miles south of Sisters - Three Sisters Wilderness - Deschutes National Forest
Accessible: End of June to early November
(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: Day trips & overnight - Central Cascades Wilderness Permit June 15 - October 15 available via recreation.gov
Northwest Forest Pass for parking
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs on leash, camping
Possible dangers: Steep drop offs along the rim
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 nearby. You can choose to keep this hike short and family friendly at 5.6 miles round trip, or you can continue on the trail around Broken Hand and go all the way to Broken Top No Name Lake, making it a much more difficult hike at 11.5 miles roundtrip and 2,000 feet elevation gain.
The parking area is large but even so, the trailhead fills up and cars spill out onto the main gravel road during summer weekends even with the limited entry permit system that was put in place in 2020. It is recommended to do this hike on a week day and/or very early in the morning! |
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(example of some of the dusty trail tread and wildflowers)
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 which last for the next 0.3 miles. From here you can enjoy some of your first views of Three Creek Lake below and Mount Washington, Three Fingered Jack and Mount Jefferson to the north.
(Three Creek Lake, Mount Washington, Three Fingered Jack & Mount Jefferson)
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After the switchbacks, the trail wraps around the side of a small hill and then it takes you across a very open meadow area. As you continue going uphill, you will start to see views of Mount Bachelor to the south as well as better views of Three Creek Lake (which is heart shaped if you see it from a certain angle). Once you are on Tam McArthur Rim, you will notice that the trail starts to get a little bit rockier, but the rocks are generally pretty large and they aren't very loose.
(Mount Bachelor)
(example of the trail getting rockier)
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(Upper Three Creek Lake)
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After hiking 0.7 miles along the rim, 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 late season snowfields, you can continue heading around 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, it can be a lot more difficult too. 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.
If you have gotten an overnight permit, you can camp on a durable surface away from the trail. Keep in mind, there are no water sources up here, so you will have to carry up all the water you will need for your overnight trip. If you are not continuing on to No Name Lake and ending at this viewpoint, you will hike back down the way you came. |
(Broken Top)
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(Middle Sister & North Sister)
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(Mount Washington and Three Fingered Jack)
(panorama of the Tam McArthur Rim viewpoint)
(Three Creek Lake)
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This hike is family friendly and is appropriate for all levels of hikers. The only reason it is rated as '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.
Some things to note about this hike: -The trail is pretty exposed to sun and wind, so remember to pack lots of water, sunscreen as well as a sun hat and an extra layer to throw on. -Snow can linger until early July. -The trailhead gets crowded, so go early! -There are steep drop offs along the rim, so be careful if hiking with dogs and kids. |
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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)
- 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)
- 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)
- Total of 168 miles via Salem.
- 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.