Mount McLoughlin

Mount McLoughlin is a stratovolcano in Jackson County that rises to 2,894 meters (9,495 feet) and is formed from andesite. The southern side shows a symmetrical cone, while the northern face exposes the inner workings of its volcanic core.

The peak took its current name in 1838 after John McLoughlin, who worked as chief administrator for the Hudson's Bay Company across the Pacific Northwest. This naming happened during active colonial times when trading routes through Oregon were being established.

The Takelma people called this peak Mal-sr and saw it as home to Tasuune, their Acorn Woman spirit. This connection shaped how communities in the region understood the mountain long before it received its current name.

The summit trail covers around 8 kilometers (5 miles) through the Sky Lakes Wilderness and requires crampons and ice axes during winter months. Late spring through early fall offers better conditions once snowmelt progresses and trails become more accessible.

The western slopes supply drinking water to Medford as snowmelt feeds into Big Butte Springs. This process provides clean water for the city and makes this peak a working part of municipal infrastructure.

Location: Jackson County

Elevation above the sea: 2,894 m

Made from material: andesite

GPS coordinates: 42.44455,-122.31596

Latest update: December 5, 2025 22:25