Tam McArthur Rim Hike
From Portland Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Tam McArthur Rim Trailhead
- End point: Tam McArthur Rim
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: Out-and-back
- Distance: 5 miles roundtrip
- Elevation gain: 1,200 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: August-October
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: Yes
- Crowded: Sometimes
Contents |
Hike Description
Tam McArthur Rim towers above Three Creek Lake at the edge of the Three Sisters Wilderness. These high cliffs are named after Lewis "Tam" McArthur who served as secretary of the Oregon Geographic Board from 1916-1949. (You may also know him as the author of the book, Oregon Geographic Names.) This hike starts high (6,550') and climbs higher (8,000') so it's usually August before the snow melts and you can get to the trailhead and successfully complete this hike.
The trail starts climbing right away, steeply at first. You will be able to look down on Three Creek Lake and beyond as you climb higher. There is a level section in the middle, but then it climbs again. At the 0.7 mile mark you will enter the Three Sisters Wilderness. After 2.5 miles, you'll be up on the plateau of Tam McArthur Rim. Look for trails to your right which will take you to viewpoints and faint clifftop trails. From up here you'll be able to see many prominent peaks in the Cascades as well as Little Three Creek Lake and Three Creek Lake below you.
This is not a good rainy day hike. You will not get to see the views you worked so hard for, and you may get quite a pummeling from the wind and rain on the open sections of trail.
- Maps: Hike Finder
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Tam McArthur Rim Hike
- (Click here to add your own)
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Tam McArthur Rim Hike
- (Click here to ask a question or start a conversation)
Guidebooks that cover this hike
- 100 Hikes in the Central Oregon Cascades - by William L. Sullivan
More Links
- See more information on the Deschutes National Forest web site.
Contributors
- justpeachy (creator)
- greglief (additional photos)