Difference between revisions of "Clear Lake Loop Hike"
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At 0.9 miles cross a bridge over Ikenick Creek then bear right. You are now doubling back on the other side of the marsh, but soon you will reach a view looking south to the store with the tops of the Three Sisters poking up in the distance on a clear day. | At 0.9 miles cross a bridge over Ikenick Creek then bear right. You are now doubling back on the other side of the marsh, but soon you will reach a view looking south to the store with the tops of the Three Sisters poking up in the distance on a clear day. | ||
| − | The trail curves back north again and at 1.7 miles you will cross Fish Lake Creek. You are now on the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail. | + | The trail curves back north again and at 1.7 miles you will cross Fish Lake Creek. You are now on the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail. Soon the lake comes back into view. At 2.25 miles the trail heads inland to skirt around [[Great Spring]], the source of the McKenzie River. The water percolates up from the lava rock below and forms a small beautiful pool before flowing out to the lake beyond. |
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| + | Shortly after the spring you will pass by the store where you started, just right across this narrow section of lake. The trail leaves the trees behind and enters an area of lava. This stretch can be hot in summer, but is very pretty in autumn when the scattered foliage turns color. | ||
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| + | You will reach a section of trail that was once paved but the pavement is now crumbling and eroding. Pass the boat launch at Cold Water Cove Campground and continue south. Soon the trail curves west around the southern shore of the lake. At four miles you'll reach a junction where the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail continues straight towards Sahalie Falls and Koosah Falls. To complete the loop turn right. | ||
| + | |||
| + | Cross the footbridge over the lake's outlet where the McKenzie River heads south. The rest of the hike is easy, a one-mile stroll through the forest back to the day use area and the store. | ||
Revision as of 17:40, 10 October 2018
- Start point: Clear Lake Trailhead
- End point: Clear Lake Trailhead
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: Loop
- Distance: 5.3 miles
- High point: 3,100 feet
- Elevation gain: 280 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Seasons: June-November
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: No
- Crowded: Yes
Contents |
Hike Description
3,000 years ago a lava flow dammed the McKenzie River and created this lake, which lives up to its name. This pleasant hike takes you on a loop around the lake. You can head south past the picnic shelter to hike this trail counter-clockwise, but this description will take you clockwise.
From the parking lot in front of the store, walk down the road past the cabins. Just beyond cabins 19 and 20, at the point where the road curves up the hill, you will find the trail heading off along the lake shore. You will get glimpses of the lake through the trees, and soon it is more marsh than lake.
At 0.9 miles cross a bridge over Ikenick Creek then bear right. You are now doubling back on the other side of the marsh, but soon you will reach a view looking south to the store with the tops of the Three Sisters poking up in the distance on a clear day.
The trail curves back north again and at 1.7 miles you will cross Fish Lake Creek. You are now on the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail. Soon the lake comes back into view. At 2.25 miles the trail heads inland to skirt around Great Spring, the source of the McKenzie River. The water percolates up from the lava rock below and forms a small beautiful pool before flowing out to the lake beyond.
Shortly after the spring you will pass by the store where you started, just right across this narrow section of lake. The trail leaves the trees behind and enters an area of lava. This stretch can be hot in summer, but is very pretty in autumn when the scattered foliage turns color.
You will reach a section of trail that was once paved but the pavement is now crumbling and eroding. Pass the boat launch at Cold Water Cove Campground and continue south. Soon the trail curves west around the southern shore of the lake. At four miles you'll reach a junction where the McKenzie River National Recreation Trail continues straight towards Sahalie Falls and Koosah Falls. To complete the loop turn right.
Cross the footbridge over the lake's outlet where the McKenzie River heads south. The rest of the hike is easy, a one-mile stroll through the forest back to the day use area and the store.
Fees, Regulations, etc.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
- Clear Lake Loop Trail #4341 (USFS)
- McKenzie River National Recreation Trail #3507 (USFS)
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Clear Lake Loop Hike
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Clear Lake Loop Hike
Guidebooks that cover this destination
- 100 Hikes in the Central Oregon Cascades by William L. Sullivan
More Links
Contributors
- justpeachy (creator)