Horse Lake Loop Hike
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Elk Lake Trailhead (Deschutes National Forest)
- End point: Horse Lake
- Hike type: Loop
- Distance: 8.9 miles
- Elevation gain: 625 feet
- High point: 4,950 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: Mid-summer to mid-fall
- Family Friendly: Yes, for older kids
- Backpackable: Yes
- Crowded: No
Contents |
Description
This pleasant loop in the Three Sisters Wilderness visits a large scenic lake with partial mountain views. Although the entire hike is through viewless forest, the trees provide welcome shade on hot summer days, and this area sees far fewer visitors than other areas of the wilderness. Mosquitoes are horrendous in July and well into August, so the best time to visit is September. There are many trails in this area and therefore many trail junctions, all of which are signed by trail name and none of which direct you to Horse Lake. It is important to carry a map of the area and know how to read it.
From the trailhead set off down the dusty path. Right away the trail forks. Keep right to stay on the Horse Lake Trail, and then pass the wilderness boundary sign. At 0.3 miles pass a junction with Elk Devils Trail #12 and stay to the left.
At 1.5 miles reach the junction with the Pacific Crest Trail. Around this point you cross from the Deschutes National Forest into the Willamette National Forest. Cross the PCT, and continue following the Horse Creek Trail. After 3.3 miles, reach the junction with the Red Hill Trail and stay to the left. (The Red Hill Trail heads north about four miles to Sisters Mirror Lake).
At 3.6 miles reach another junction where the Horse Creek Trail heads to the right. Stay to the left on the Red Hill Trail. Cross Horse Creek, and stay to the left at a “User Trail Not Maintained“ sign. (This user trail leads to an open area criss-crossed with fallen trees where the Horse Lake Shelter used to stand. All evidence of it is now gone. The Horse Lake Guard Station also stood near here although it, too, is long gone.)
In another 0.2 miles, reach yet another junction. Turn right on the Park Trail. (Remember this junction because it is where you'll later make the decision to go back the way you came or take the loop option.) Pass a large meadow on your right, and then 0.4 miles from the junction watch for a distinct (but unofficial and unsigned) user trail on the right. Turn here and follow the path for 0.3 miles. The trail reaches the southern shore of Horse Lake and wraps around to its western shore. At the lake's outlet, use rocks and logs to make your way across, and continue along the user trail until you reach a large rocky peninsula on your right, which makes a great spot to relax and enjoy the views. South Sister and Red Hill are visible to the north; Mount Bachelor to the west; and the top of Horse Mountain to the south (if you go out towards the end of the peninsula).
While the user trail on the western shore does continue beyond the peninsula, passing a couple of campsites and eventually meeting up with the Horse Creek Trail, that section of trail is much brushier with more blowdown, so it's recommended that you return the way you came. Back at the Park Trail-Red Hill Trail junction, you can turn left and retrace your steps back to the trailhead, or you can turn right on the Red Hill Trail and make a loop.
Climb gently for 0.3 miles from that junction until you reach the Sunset Lake Trail, where you will turn left. Half a mile later, after crossing the dry creek bed of Horse Creek, look for a user trail on the right leading to some campsites at the northern tip of Sunset Lake.
Continuing on, pass a small pond on the right, and then a larger one on the left. Traverse a large meadow. On the other side of the meadow is a junction with the PCT. Continue straight to follow the PCT into the trees.
After another 1.3 miles, you will leave the PCT and turn right onto the Island Meadow Trail #3. From this junction you can see Mount Bachelor to the east through the burned snags. Fortunately, you only have to hike through this hot dusty burn area for half a mile before reentering the forest. After another half mile of descending, you'll reach the original junction with the Horse Lake Trail and turn right for the last few steps back to your car.
Fees, Regulations, etc.
- Central Cascades Wilderness Permit for overnight stays required ($6 reservation fee: June 15th - October 15th)
- Self-issued wilderness permit
- Restrooms, information kiosk
- Share trails with horses
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Green Trails Maps: Three Sisters #621
- Green Trails Maps: Bend – Three Sisters #622SX
- Geo-Graphics: Three Sisters Wilderness Map
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Bend-Fort Rock Ranger District
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Deschutes National Forest
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: McKenzie River Ranger District
- U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service: Willamette National Forest
- Pacific Northwest Recreation Map Series: Willamette Cascades
- Pacific Northwest Recreation Map Series: Central Oregon Cascades
- Adventure Maps: Three Sisters Wilderness Trail Map
- National Geographic Trails Illustrated Map: Bend – Three Sisters
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Horse Lake Loop Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Horse Lake Loop Hike
Guidebooks that cover this destination
- Day Hiking: Bend and Central Oregon by Brittany Manwill
- 100 Hikes: Central Oregon Cascades by William L. Sullivan
- Oregon Hiking by Sean Patrick Hill
- Pacific Northwest Hiking by Scott Leonard & Sean Patrick Hill
- Oregon’s Southern Cascades: Camping & Hiking by Tom Stienstra & Sean Patrick Hill
- Hiking Central Oregon & Beyond by Virginia Meissner
- 60 Hiking Trails: Central Oregon Cascades by Don & Roberta Lowe
- Central Oregon Wilderness Areas by Donna Ikenberry Aitkenhead
- Trail Running: Bend & Central Oregon by Lucas Alberg
More Links
- Horse Lake Trail (USFS)
- Horse Creek Trail #3514 (USFS)
- Horse Lake, Horse Mountain, and Red Hill (Just Peachy)
- Throwback Thursday: Horse Lake (wanderingyuncks)
- Horse Lake Loop (NW Horse Trails)
Page Contributors
- justpeachy (creator)