Burnt Lake
From Oregon Hikers Field Guide
- Hikes including this location
- Burnt Lake Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- East Zigzag Mountain Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Paradise Park via Burnt Lake Hike (TH | <— —> | LOG)
- Weather forecast: NWS/NOAA
- Maps: Oregon Hikers Maps Google Maps
- Latitude, Longitude: 45.35090, -121.80236
- Elevation: 4125 feet
Description
This is a nice small mountain lake on the flanks of the Zigzag Ridge which connects to the southwest side of Mount Hood. There are about ten designated campsites, marked with a post and the number of the site. Fires are not allowed. The lake is pretty busy on summer weekends, and you might not be able to find a vacant site. For those interested in backpacking, this is a great starting destination.
The Burnt Lake Trail goes along the northwest side of the lake. You can find a route around the lake, but it requires a bit of bushwhacking in places. The lake is said to be stocked with trout, so feel free to try your hand at some fishing! The best views of Mt. Hood appear on the southeast corner of the lake. Most of the designated campsites are in the northern corner of the lake.
As long as you're here, walk up the Burnt Lake and Zigzag Mountain Trails to East Zigzag Mountain, about a mile and 900 feet elevation gain away.
Burnt Lake is named after a 1904 forest fire. An even larger blaze, accidentally started by a local homesteader in 1906, scorched a wider area around the lake. In those days, the forest understory was more open, but most of the big trees remaining were killed by the 1906 fire.
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Contributors
- retiredjerry (creator)
- chadahooche (contributor)