Difference between revisions of "Little Crater Lake Hike"
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
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{{Start point|Little Crater Lake Trailhead}} | {{Start point|Little Crater Lake Trailhead}} | ||
− | * End | + | * End point: [[Timothy Lake]] |
− | + | * Hike type: Out and Back | |
− | * Hike | + | |
{{Distance|1.4 miles}} round-trip | {{Distance|1.4 miles}} round-trip | ||
− | {{Elevation | + | {{Elevation gain|10 feet}} |
− | * High | + | * High point: 3,245 feet |
{{Difficulty|Easy}} | {{Difficulty|Easy}} | ||
* Seasons: Summer into Fall | * Seasons: Summer into Fall | ||
Line 30: | Line 29: | ||
=== Description === | === Description === | ||
− | [[Little Crater Lake]], a lovely sapphire-hued artesian spring formed in a dissolving layer of siltstone, is only 250 yards from a trailhead via a universal access path. Those who are able to go farther can hike out through a lush meadow to the Pacific Crest Trail and then walk south for about a quarter of a mile to view more lush marshes where Crater Creek forms an arm of [[Timothy Lake]], a reservoir created in 1956 to regulate water flow on the Oak Grove Fork of the | + | [[Little Crater Lake]], a lovely sapphire-hued artesian spring formed in a dissolving layer of siltstone, is only 250 yards from a trailhead via a universal access path. Those who are able to go farther can hike out through a lush meadow to the Pacific Crest Trail and then walk south for about a quarter of a mile to view more lush marshes where Crater Creek forms an arm of [[Timothy Lake]], a reservoir created in 1956 to regulate water flow on the Oak Grove Fork of the Clackamas River. This is a popular walk for families with young children. |
− | Walk along the paved Little Crater Lake Trail #500 | + | Walk along the paved Little Crater Lake Trail #500, which passes through a wet meadow studded with lodgepole pine and then enters a grove of Engelmann spruce. Reach the viewing platform at [[Little Crater Lake]], where a sign explains the spring’s formation on a fault line. The lake is very still and, on a sunny day, the reflections of the surrounding conifers are mirrored perfectly on the still sapphire pool. In late spring, look for false hellebore, lupine, marsh cinquefoil, and arrow-leaf groundsel blooming in the area. Continue on a boardwalk over a low stile and then cross a footbridge over a narrow skunk-cabbage wetland. Enter woods of Douglas-fir, mountain hemlock and yew to pass through a livestock fence and join the Pacific Crest Trail #2000 at the [[Pacific Crest-Little Crater Lake Trail Junction]]. |
− | Turn left here on this wide path. Rhododendrons, bear-grass and Oregon grape form a sparse cover under large, old growth Douglas-firs. Come to the [[Pacific Crest-Timothy Lake Trail North Junction]], and keep left over a boardwalk into a forest of Engelmann spruce, Douglas-fir and western hemlock. | + | Turn left here on this wide path. Rhododendrons, bear-grass and Oregon grape form a sparse cover under large, old growth Douglas-firs. Come to the [[Pacific Crest-Timothy Lake Trail North Junction]], and keep left over a boardwalk into a forest of Engelmann spruce, Douglas-fir and western hemlock.You'll cross a large footbridge over Crater Creek and tread a boardwalk to the [[Pacific Crest-Old 1916 Trail Junction]]. (The latter is now labelled the Timothy Lake Bike Trail #537.) Keep right in a young forest of Douglas-fir and hemlock with western white pine, hiking along an arm of [[Timothy Lake]] and passing a couple of gushing springs on the right. At a boggy inlet, get a glimpse of the top of [[Mount Hood]] to the right above the trees. This is a good spot to turn around if you're with little ones. |
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{{TripReports|{{PAGENAME}}}} | {{TripReports|{{PAGENAME}}}} | ||
+ | * [https://www.oregonhikers.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=26088 Little Crater Lake] | ||
{{RelatedDiscussions|{{PAGENAME}}}} | {{RelatedDiscussions|{{PAGENAME}}}} | ||
===Guidebooks that cover this destination === | ===Guidebooks that cover this destination === | ||
+ | * ''Best Hikes With Kids: Oregon'' by Bonnie Henderson & Zach Urness | ||
+ | * ''Best Hikes with Children: Western & Central Oregon'' by Bonnie Henderson | ||
+ | * ''100 Hikes: Northwest Oregon'' by William L. Sullivan | ||
+ | * ''Day Hiking Mount Hood: A Year-Round Guide'' by Eli Boschetto | ||
* ''Hiking Mount Hood National Forest'' by Marcia Sinclair | * ''Hiking Mount Hood National Forest'' by Marcia Sinclair | ||
* ''Best Hikes With Kids: Oregon'' by Bonnie Henderson | * ''Best Hikes With Kids: Oregon'' by Bonnie Henderson | ||
+ | * ''105 Virtual Hikes of the Mt. Hood National Forest'' by Northwest Hiker | ||
=== More Links === | === More Links === |
Latest revision as of 22:51, 29 November 2022
- Start point: Little Crater Lake Trailhead
- End point: Timothy Lake
- Hike type: Out and Back
- Distance: 1.4 miles round-trip
- Elevation gain: 10 feet
- High point: 3,245 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: Summer into Fall
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Yes
Contents |
Description
Little Crater Lake, a lovely sapphire-hued artesian spring formed in a dissolving layer of siltstone, is only 250 yards from a trailhead via a universal access path. Those who are able to go farther can hike out through a lush meadow to the Pacific Crest Trail and then walk south for about a quarter of a mile to view more lush marshes where Crater Creek forms an arm of Timothy Lake, a reservoir created in 1956 to regulate water flow on the Oak Grove Fork of the Clackamas River. This is a popular walk for families with young children.
Walk along the paved Little Crater Lake Trail #500, which passes through a wet meadow studded with lodgepole pine and then enters a grove of Engelmann spruce. Reach the viewing platform at Little Crater Lake, where a sign explains the spring’s formation on a fault line. The lake is very still and, on a sunny day, the reflections of the surrounding conifers are mirrored perfectly on the still sapphire pool. In late spring, look for false hellebore, lupine, marsh cinquefoil, and arrow-leaf groundsel blooming in the area. Continue on a boardwalk over a low stile and then cross a footbridge over a narrow skunk-cabbage wetland. Enter woods of Douglas-fir, mountain hemlock and yew to pass through a livestock fence and join the Pacific Crest Trail #2000 at the Pacific Crest-Little Crater Lake Trail Junction.
Turn left here on this wide path. Rhododendrons, bear-grass and Oregon grape form a sparse cover under large, old growth Douglas-firs. Come to the Pacific Crest-Timothy Lake Trail North Junction, and keep left over a boardwalk into a forest of Engelmann spruce, Douglas-fir and western hemlock.You'll cross a large footbridge over Crater Creek and tread a boardwalk to the Pacific Crest-Old 1916 Trail Junction. (The latter is now labelled the Timothy Lake Bike Trail #537.) Keep right in a young forest of Douglas-fir and hemlock with western white pine, hiking along an arm of Timothy Lake and passing a couple of gushing springs on the right. At a boggy inlet, get a glimpse of the top of Mount Hood to the right above the trees. This is a good spot to turn around if you're with little ones.
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Restrooms and picnic tables at the Little Crater Lake Campground
- Dogs on leash
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Little Crater Lake Trail #500 (USFS)
- Pacific Crest Trail #2000: Frog Lake Sno-Park to Skyline Road (Zigzag sec. #1) (USFS)
- Green Trails Maps: Mt. Wilson, OR #494 and High Rock, OR #493
- Discover Your Northwest: Mt. Hood National Forest North: Trail Map & Hiking Guide
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Zigzag Ranger District
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Mt. Hood National Forest
- National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: Mount Hood
- Adventure Maps: Mt. Hood Area
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Little Crater Lake Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Little Crater Lake Hike
Guidebooks that cover this destination
- Best Hikes With Kids: Oregon by Bonnie Henderson & Zach Urness
- Best Hikes with Children: Western & Central Oregon by Bonnie Henderson
- 100 Hikes: Northwest Oregon by William L. Sullivan
- Day Hiking Mount Hood: A Year-Round Guide by Eli Boschetto
- Hiking Mount Hood National Forest by Marcia Sinclair
- Best Hikes With Kids: Oregon by Bonnie Henderson
- 105 Virtual Hikes of the Mt. Hood National Forest by Northwest Hiker
More Links
- Little Crater Lake Hike (Northwest Hiker)
- Pacific Crest Trail (Zigzag) (USFS)
- Little Crater Lake Trail #500 (USFS)
- Little Crater Lake Campground (USFS)
- Little Crater Lake, OR (Recreation.gov)
- Little Crater Lake – Oregon (Brian's Brain Dump)
- "Little Crater Lake near Mount Hood is nearly as blue as its big brother in southern Oregon" (Oregon Live)
- Timothy Lake (Clackamas) (Atlas of Oregon Lakes)
Page Contributors
- bobcat (creator)