Mt. Mcloughlin (OR)

[joshnelson]

FKT- Trailhead to summit 1:02:58

This is one of my favorite peaks in Southern Oregon and provides a super accessible way to get above 9,000'.  This Cascade shield volcano tops out at 9,495' and is skirted by the PCT which allows for some really fun loops. 

The Mail Tribune of Medford, OR posted this account of Erik Skaags FKT in 2012. 
"Shortly after returning from the John Muir Trail last week, crew leader Erik Skaggs put up his own FKT on a summit much closer to home: Mount McLoughlin. His time of 1 hour, 3 minutes, 41 seconds took more than minute off the old record. He's happy with his time, but he's taking it in stride."

I've been running this peak for a few years and this 7/7/13 achieved my PR of 1:02:58.  There are rumors of others summiting sub one hour, but I figured I'd get a board started with my own FKT.  The original plan was to attempt a car to car effort..this was halted by a rolled ankle on the way down. 

Trail Details: 4.8 Miles from trailhead to the summit and just about 3,900' gain.  The summit trail is well marked at intersections of the PCT.  On the descent it is tempting to surf the scree down the face, however this puts you well off trail and you'll end up in the forest.  A safe bet is to keep Four Mile Lake on your left as your headed down the ridge.  The mosquito's get pretty fierce by July, but they're not bad unless you're stopped to answer nature's call.  Snow is to be expected through mid June.

Enjoy!

[Adam]

Where did you start your time? The trail head sign at the parking lot says 5.5 miles to the summit. So you must've been up the trail a bit.

[joshnelson]

I started my watch just before crossing the bridge from the parking lot. Either the GPS is off or the trail head sign is off. My Garmin has never measured over 5 miles from the bridge, which is only 100m from the parking lot. I suppose if you were to do a ton a switchbacks on the ridge you may get 5.5. I pretty much head straight up the ridge once above treeline.

[Mark smith]

The 5.5 is from the trailhead off hwy 140. Sounds like Eric started and finished at the trailhead off the gravel road up to 4 mile lake. This is a more common starting point for hikers/ climbers.

[joshnelson]

Cool Mark.  Then we started in the same place.  That is really the only common starting point that I am aware of.  There is a summit register just past the bridge which would makes a logical starting point.  I don't really think its worth hashing out the discrepancies of hundred feet or so.  As stared earlier, my watch was started before the bridge.   I'm not arguing with anyone else's measurement of distance or what the trail head marker says...just putting up a board on my distance, effort, and time.  I have a ton of respect for Eric and his achievements/contributions to the sport.   Have fun out there...

[erikskaggs]

Nice run up a great mountain man! I moved to Colorado recently and probably won't get to run ol' Mcloughlin much anymore. Do you have any other Southern Oregon FKTs on the docket?

[joshnelson]

Thanks man! I really love that peak. Living in K-Falls its a quick 35 minutes and I'm on the Mountain. Congrats on the move to Colorado, there are so many inspiring looking peaks there...great place to call home. Would have been cool to get venture up in the Mtns. with you at some point in OR though. I've had a rough season, coming down from this attempt I rolled my ankle pretty good, and its been a long road to recovery. I stumbled my way through SOB 50K(way to soon to race on it), sat out of Ashland Hill Climb, and was ready to roll for P2P today, but am just not feeling all there. So future?.. Five Peaks Traverse sounds cool, as does giving Shasta a solid effort next spring. Any suggestions? All the best Erik!