McLoughlin (S OR) beta for Memorial Day

Any guess on whether there will be snow enough for a day trip there in late June---like the 25th or 26th? We'll be in Ashland and I want my serving of Shakepeare with a side of slush.

I would think that a start on hwy 140 would be fine for a day trip.  If you are planning on skiing the south face, this actually may be easier to navigate back to, because the fall line proceeds almost directly south from the summit and an open slope entices you to ski pretty far down in that direction, but this then leaves a significant traverse if heading back east to the summer (se ridge) trailhead.

I'm not sure on the distance but I'd guess it would add maybe a mile or two and maybe a 1,000 ft elevation gain to begin from hwy 140 instead of the summer trailhead.  There is some good info on this peak on the skimountaineer.com website including an image of the topographic map.

We skied McLoughlin in the big snow year of 1999 using the summer trailhead as described in Oregon Descents. After doing the trip I felt that a direct approach from the south would be more elegant than the long traverses we put in. There were definitely more turns to be had if we had continued south rather than traversing back to the summer trailhead.

Any guess on whether there will be snow enough for a day trip there in late June---like the 25th or 26th?  We'll be in Ashland and I want my serving of Shakepeare with a side of slush.

Magic 8 ball says: Signs point to yes.

I was up there 2 years ago in the middle of June and had a worthy day.

If I remember right, '06 was a phat year. last year, it was melted out at Hwy 140 by end of april. this year the upper mtn looks the same (very good) but by june i imagine not much snow below 7K.

i'll let you know as I should be doing Mac from the South next weekend. doing it from the south side lets you do the great south face (more vert) instead of having to traverse over to the summer trailhead.

yeah i read Dan's report this winter and doing a north side and south side run in one day is pretty burly...

to the OP-
this weekend looks great. the heat wave has subsided in southern OR and it should be firming up and corning up nicely this weekend.

see forecast here (for around 7,000 ft):

Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 38.

Friday Night: A slight chance of snow showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 27. Chance of precipitation is 20%.

Saturday: A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a high near 59.

Saturday Night: A slight chance of showers. Partly cloudy, with a low around 35.

Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 62.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31.

Memorial Day: Partly sunny, with a high near 64.

please post some pics and latest conditions/snow level...

Years ago we approached via Rye spring, as the other roads were snowed in. A short cross country through the forest until we put skis on. Had a great run with a quick approach. Have fun!