PCT: Def Sisters
PCT: Def Sisters Trail is a 4.9 miles trail in Deschutes National Forest, Oregon. The Forest Service rates it trail class 3, developed. It is open to hiking and horse and pack stock. It enters Three Sisters Wilderness.
Trail conditions, closures and hazards are not tracked here. The Deschutes National Forest official page carries current alerts and closure orders.
Map
One end Other endLine simplified to about 100 metres. Basemap from the USGS National Map.
| One end | 44.2164, -121.7819 · Directions ↗ |
| Other end | 44.2567, -121.7985 · Directions ↗ |
The ends are the two ends of the longest connected chain of segments. The record does not say which is the usual start. The trail is recorded as 2 segments.
The trail
| Length | 4.9 miles |
| Trail class | 3, developed |
| Type | land trail |
| Surface | native material |
| Typical tread width | 18-24 inches |
| Motor vehicles | Closed to all motorized use year-round |
| Accessibility | Not evaluated |
| National designation | National Scenic or Historic Trail |
| Trail numbers | 2000 |
| Forest | Deschutes National Forest (unit 0601) |
| States | Oregon |
| Detail published | management level, with uses |
Values are the set across all segments. Class 1 is minimally developed and class 5 is fully developed. Grade and width are the forest's typical values, not measured extremes.
Allowed uses
| Hiking | Allowed year-round |
| Horse and pack stock | Allowed year-round |
A use is listed when the Forest Service records it as managed, accepted or discouraged on any segment. Discouraged still means legal. Uses marked restricted are left out. Where the forest publishes a Motor Vehicle Use Map, that map governs motorized use.
Wilderness
- Three Sisters Wilderness WildernessFS · the whole line is insideWilderness Connect ↗
Inside a designated wilderness, bicycles and motor vehicles are prohibited by law regardless of the trail record, and permits or group limits may apply.
Trailheads
No season published · listed none The trail is open to foot and horse (or other pack stock) travel only. Bicycles and motorized vehicles are not permitted. Wilderness regulations apply to all sections traversing designated wilderness areas. Wilderness Regulations Weed Free Feed Required | 0.2 mi |
Open Late June · listed none Wilderness restrictions apply Motorized and mechanical equipment (including bicycles and drones) are prohibited in the wilderness. Groups must be under 12 people and 12 head of stock. Build campfires at least 100 feet away from water. Pack in / Pack out! “Take only pictures | 0.2 mi |
Distance is from the point to the nearest part of the trail line. Season text is what the forest wrote and is often a season name rather than a date. The recreation page link goes to the Forest Service site, which may redirect to the forest's recreation index.
Camping nearby
Campsite Atlas cards carry site counts and booking links from Recreation.gov. Forest Service cards come from the recreation layer and link the agency page.
Fire nearby
- WildfireBench
34 mi from the trail midpoint · 67,071 acres · 90% contained
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Closure orders are on the forest's official page.
Reference
Questions people ask
How long is the PCT: Def Sisters Trail?
4.9 miles, the sum of the 2 segments the Forest Service records under this name in Deschutes National Forest.
Source: Forest Service trail layer
What is allowed on the PCT: Def Sisters Trail?
hiking and horse and pack stock. The trail is closed to motor vehicles year-round.
Source: Forest Service trail layer
Where does the PCT: Def Sisters Trail start?
The line begins at 44.2164, -121.7819 and ends at 44.2567, -121.7985. The nearest recorded trailhead is Pacific Crest Trailhead at McKenzie Pass, 0.2 miles from the line. The record does not say which end is the usual start.
Source: Forest Service trail layer
Is the PCT: Def Sisters Trail in a wilderness area?
Yes. It enters Three Sisters Wilderness. Wilderness rules ban bicycles and motor vehicles and often limit group size.
Where can I camp near the PCT: Def Sisters Trail?
Lava Lake Campground (0.3 mi) and Whispering Pine Horse Camp (4.1 mi) are within five miles of the trail. Site counts and booking links are on Campsite Atlas.
Source: Campsite Atlas
How developed is the PCT: Def Sisters Trail?
Trail class 3, which the Forest Service describes as developed. Class 1 is a minimal, unimproved route and class 5 is fully developed, often paved.
Source: Forest Service trail layer
How steep and how wide is the PCT: Def Sisters Trail?
The typical tread is 18-24 inches wide.
Source: Forest Service trail layer
Is the PCT: Def Sisters Trail a national trail?
Yes. The record marks it as a National Scenic or Historic Trail.
Source: Forest Service trail layer
Who manages the PCT: Def Sisters Trail?
Deschutes National Forest, Forest Service unit 0601. The trail is in Oregon.
Is there a fire near the PCT: Def Sisters Trail?
1 active incident within 50 miles of the trail midpoint as of 2026-09-17, the nearest Bench at 34 miles. Check the forest's closure orders before you go.
Source: Fire nearby
Source
This page is built from 2 segments named PCT: DEF SISTERS in the Forest Service TrailNFS_Publish layer, administrative unit 0601. Wilderness overlap is tested against the National Wilderness Preservation System layer from Wilderness Connect. Trailheads and Forest Service campgrounds come from the Forest Service Recreation Opportunities layer. Data refreshed September 17, 2026. The methodology page explains how segments become trails.