Is the road to Cougar Peak unpaved?
Usa, north-america
17.1 km
N/A
moderate
Year-round
Okay, picture this: Cougar Peak, standing tall in Oregon's Fremont-Winema National Forest, about 20 miles northwest of Lakeview. This summit has major history, once housing a fire lookout tower back in the day. Now, it's all about those views—pine forests stretching forever and high desert landscapes that’ll take your breath away.
So, how do you get there? Buckle up for a true backcountry adventure on National Forest Development Road 388 (NF-388). We're talking gravel and dirt, winding through a forest of Ponderosa pines. You'll start from the junction with the paved OR-140 (Warner Highway). It's about 17.1 km (10.62 miles) to the summit area. You'll gain some serious altitude—934 meters to be exact! The average gradient is 5.46%.
Heads up, though—about 0.1 miles past Cottonwood Meadow Campground, the road officially closes to motorized vehicles. Time to stretch those legs because the final push to the top is a non-motorized trail—hike or bike it! The road can be a bit washboarded in places, and watch out for fallen timber. The good news is it's usually snow-free from late June through October. Don’t miss nearby Cottonwood Meadow Lake for camping and fishing before or after your summit bid.
Road Details
- Country
- Usa
- Continent
- north-america
- Length
- 17.1 km
- Difficulty
- moderate
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