scenic lakes

[HammsSunrise]

what are some good scenic lakes around oregon...either that you have to hike into for multi-day trips or are just deep on a windy logging road.

[TheCamel]

Blue Lake in Lane County. On the western flank of Diamond Peak. Access to trailhead from USFS roads above Hills Creek Reservoir. Good 1/2 mile hike on an easy trail. If you are adventurous, go the extra mile or two by trail, over the ridge to Happy Lake.

[lentz]

Hiking in above Wallowa Lake there are numerous hilakes. Beautifull area!!

[kill2hunt]

round, long and square on the santiam pass, across from suttle lake.

[DarrenH]

Marion lake is a hike in lake and very scenic in my opinion.

[elklaker]

Lake Vivian in the Willamette Pass area and Carl Lake in the Jefferson wilderness are great for a multi day trip. Three Creeks Lake in the area near Sisters, Or. is a beautiful Lake you can drive to on logging roads.

[Dullhook]

There are so many, but the Eight Lakes Basin in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness is hard to beat. Beautiful scenery and good fishing too.

Back in the days when hiking agreed more with my body than it does now ;)....hiking and fishing these lakes after the some of the snow cleared off the trails was really looked forward to all Winter long. We used to hike in with a rubber rafts strapped to our backpacks.

I agree with DarrenH that Marion Lake is one of the best. Here's some general info on the Eight Lakes Basin loop:


A lake loop in Oregon
Hikers who don't mind a long, hard day will find the Eight Lakes Basin Hike in Oregon's northern Cascade Range a rewarding trip through old growth forest, past eight wilderness lakes, and upward to several fine views of 10,495-foot Mount Jefferson. To get there, take Interstate 5 south from Oregon to the Highway 22 exit near Salem (about 45 miles). Drive east on Highway 22 to the town of Marion Forks (40 miles). Turn east again on Forest Road 2255 (also called Marion Road). Reach the trailhead in 4.5 miles. The hike covers 16.2 miles, with an elevation change of 1,900 feet. The loop portion begins 1.7 miles from the trailhead, where you turn left for a clockwise trip. The trail first traverses the north slopes of Marion Lake, the largest body of water you'll see during the hike, then passes through cool forest and a series of streams from divided Mist Creek (be prepared for wet crossings or even fords). Pass over an old lava flow, and at 4.5 miles take a right fork to continue to Bowerman Lake. That's reached at 7.3 miles, after some fine views of scenic Mount Jefferson. As you continue bearing right, more lakes appear - Jorn Lake, Blue Lake and finally little Jenny Lake. Then Marion Lake again comes into view as you descend switchbacks before backtracking the last 1.7 miles to the trailhead. A wilderness permit is required for this hike, and is available at the Detroit Ranger Station, which is passed en route to Marion Forks. The station can be reached by calling 503-854-3366.

[wilsonriverfisher]

after hearing about swamp lake and they might have golden trout I would recommend it. Also the pictures of what Ive seen of it are awsome and look very cool. I heard its a long walk into the lake and winterkill is a factor sometimes.

[joemomma]

There are so many, but the Eight Lakes Basin in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness is hard to beat. Beautiful scenery and good fishing too.

Back in the days when hiking agreed more with my body than it does now ;)....hiking and fishing these lakes after the some of the snow cleared off the trails was really looked forward to all Winter long. We used to hike in with a rubber rafts strapped to our backpacks.

I agree with DarrenH that Marion Lake is one of the best. Here's some general info on the Eight Lakes Basin loop:


A lake loop in Oregon
Hikers who don't mind a long, hard day will find the Eight Lakes Basin Hike in Oregon's northern Cascade Range a rewarding trip through old growth forest, past eight wilderness lakes, and upward to several fine views of 10,495-foot Mount Jefferson. To get there, take Interstate 5 south from Oregon to the Highway 22 exit near Salem (about 45 miles). Drive east on Highway 22 to the town of Marion Forks (40 miles). Turn east again on Forest Road 2255 (also called Marion Road). Reach the trailhead in 4.5 miles. The hike covers 16.2 miles, with an elevation change of 1,900 feet. The loop portion begins 1.7 miles from the trailhead, where you turn left for a clockwise trip. The trail first traverses the north slopes of Marion Lake, the largest body of water you'll see during the hike, then passes through cool forest and a series of streams from divided Mist Creek (be prepared for wet crossings or even fords). Pass over an old lava flow, and at 4.5 miles take a right fork to continue to Bowerman Lake. That's reached at 7.3 miles, after some fine views of scenic Mount Jefferson. As you continue bearing right, more lakes appear - Jorn Lake, Blue Lake and finally little Jenny Lake. Then Marion Lake again comes into view as you descend switchbacks before backtracking the last 1.7 miles to the trailhead. A wilderness permit is required for this hike, and is available at the Detroit Ranger Station, which is passed en route to Marion Forks. The station can be reached by calling 503-854-3366.

I too in my younger days didd lot's of hiking! Jefferson wilderness, eight lakes basin, santiam lake can't be beat on this side of the hills!:twocents:

[pnw_fisher]

Green lakes, Three Sisters Wilderness. I like to hike all around the Northwest, but Green Lakes has became an annual trip before I head back to school.

[wind troller]

There are so many, but the Eight Lakes Basin in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness is hard to beat. Beautiful scenery and good fishing too.



Good call Dullhook, think I'll have to third this nomination. I love the eight lakes basin but my age is catching up as well. I bought a new camera for backpacking and if this lame old guy can still make it in there I'll do a better post than last years with the stinky pics.

Dullhook, very nice and informative post! :)