Absolute perfection! Hike an easy loop around crystal clear water with radiant Mount Hood as your companion.
First things first: If you drive South from the Gorge you'll be immersed in the most gorgeous road with apple orchards in every direction and views of both Mount Hood and Mount Adams at the same time! (If you drive from Government Camp you'll also get gorgeous views, of course, just less The Sound of Music vibe and more The Shining drama.)
The hike itself starts out at the Lost Lake Resort and goes in a loop around the lake. If you start to the right you'll immediately get that glamour shot of Mount Hood across the lake, stark and crisp in all its majesty, framed by the surrounding hills and reflected in the calm mountain water.
If you'd like to delay that gratification until the end of your hike, start out left, going clockwise instead. There's a boardwalk through old-growth forest, with placards detailing the flora and fauna around you.
As you wind around the lake, you'll eventually start walking within just a few feet of the shore. In fact, when we went the path totally disappeared INTO the lake! We thought we must have just lost the official path, but nope - we had to literally wade into the water to keep going.
At first we pulled dead branches and stones into the shallow water to jump from one to the next, but eventually I just took off my shoes and socks and walked through the VERY COLD water to the next strip of land.
I imagine if you come in the summertime this dip will be a welcome relief - the idea of swimming here on a warm, sunny day sounds like heaven!
Plus, you can camp here! Bring your kayak for maximum chill.
Distance from Portland: 2 hours / 90 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Length of hike: 3.3 mile loop
تعليقات