Follow the road along the ridge, passing by a few scattered oaks and willows. on official, secure websites. At a junction turn, NF-398 at a sign for Summit Lake. 2006-2021 SummitPost.org. There are 1-5 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 25 feet. Sharing is caring, y'all. As planned, the trip was a complete success. All loaded up, I pushed off from the shoreline and onto the water. Ashland. The trail to the left takes you to Rockpile and Marie Lake and the trail to the right is a, As you get closer to the Diamond Peak climber trail junction, you will catch glimpses of the mountain through the trees. At 5,600 feet, the lake is filled by pure snowmelt there are no inlet creeks and the rocky geology means there isnt much sediment either. Turn left at a very faint sign for Summit Lake and FSR 6010 and follow this awful rutted road a few short miles to Summit Lake Campground. The spot where the climber trail meets the PCT is fairly obvious, even if there aren't rock cairns there yet. People do catch brook trout here, but theyre small and a challenge to hook given the clear water. Diamond Peak: Central or Southern Cascades? 370). Diamond Peak sits within the Diamond Peak Wilderness which is part of Willamette National Forest. Thielsen and Summit Lake where you came from. Please respect the outdoors by practicing Leave No Trace. But the most endearing characteristic may be the many small islands that rest just off shore all the way around the lake. The portion of the PCT from Summit Lake to Diamond Peak provides the most popular approach route for climbing Diamond Peak. website belongs to an official government organization in the Small. A small 10-site campground provides a spot to fish for cutthroat and brook trout, go kayaking in the shadow of overhanging mountains or just swim where the Willamette begins. Turn left on gravel Road 15 for 10. . Escape to three of Oregon's most beautiful lakes this September Share sensitive information only I, not being from Oregon and having to fly in, was dependent on others for the drive in to the trailhead. Boat ramp. Country. 2023Outdoor Project. Both the North Powder River (#1632) and Summit Lake Trails (#1635) begin at this trailhead. Oregon, United States, North America . Waldo Lake, less than a two hour drive from Eugene, Oregon is a pristine lake nestled into the Cascade Mountain range. All three selections here are fairly wild and camping-centric, but you can also get a more civilized experience at Crescent Lake and Odell Lake resorts. The result is sapphire-tinted water so clear you can see your boats shadow on the bottom of the lake. Then bear right onto Road 21 and . Windy Lakes: A trail visits multiple mountain lakes from a route that begins near Summit Lake off awful FSR 398. This made the trip an easier sell to Alex who enjoys his creature comforts (running water, cold beer) and facilitated logistics overall. Posts: 726. Summit Lake - East Mountain Biking Trail - Oregon - Trailforks The Staley Fire is somewhatnear Timpanogas and Summit, but both remain open to the public. (view of Summit Lake, Cowhorn Mountain, Sawtooth Mountain & Mount Thielsen). skiing and snowmobiling in winter. It was challenging enough to feel satisfying and a perfect way to introduce others to the outdoors. 541-523-6391, 3502 Highway 30 It serves as a trailhead for both the Summit Lake and North Powder River Trails. Three campgrounds on the shore offer quiet, peaceful places for families, friends and couples. Unlike Odell Lake and Crescent Lake, Summit Lake has no major, single stream to feed it. "Money itself is worth far more than anything you could possibly buy with it. Home | Summit to Summit Run/Walk | Gering, NE Nighttime was utterly silent on Berry Island, and, in a small way, I missed the conversations I often have with follow campers. Turn right onto Forest Service Road 3113 and travel about 0.8 miles to the access road to Summit Guard Station. Follow this road and signs for Summit Lake about 6.5 miles to a major (but barely marked) junction. No one? Generally considered a moderately challenging route, it takes an average of 4 h 2 min to complete. Development: Small campground with three official sites, small boat ramp and pit toilet. At its western end, Dead Indian Road begins at its junction with Highway 66, just outside Ashland; at its east end, the road junctions with Highway 140 at Lake of the Woods. As we neared treeline things got more scrubby and we kept an eye out for the cairn which would mark our junction with the Climber's Trail. The higher you get the looser and more sand-like the terrain becomes. Mosquitoes. Thankfully James' Subaru Outback handled it without problems (we went slow, it was brand spanking new). Once you get back down to the PCT it is easy cruising though. Oregon Free Dispersed Camping: The Complete Guide - TMBtent Trailhead address: Old Topanga Canyon Road & Summit to Summit Motorway, Topanga, CA 90290. Heading north takes you into the Diamond Peak Wilderness, withhighlights such as Rockpile and Marie lakes. Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. All rights reserved. Of the three lakes featured here, Waldo is the most famous, developed and consequently crowded. Summit Lake Campground is open Snowmelt to snowfall. Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. Enter your email below to be notified when we get access. From a campground at Timpanogas Lake, hike 2 miles to Indigo Lake or explore other trails. The purity of the water that makes it to Summit Lake, combined with the relatively small area of the drainage basin that feeds it, gives the lake a characteristic clarity that is alternately sapphire, turquoise, and gold depending on lake depth. Your personal car/vehicle situation will largely determine this. No deviations from scouting report. Early start because we have a 6.5 mile drive to the trailhead on an unimproved forest service road (FR398/6010 from Crescent Lake west towards Summit Lake/PCT); none of us had driven that route or type of road before and weren't sure if a Subaru Outback would handle it (it would be fine). La Grande, OR 97850 The solitude is deeper and more satisfying you might score your own swimming hole or viewpoint, andthere's littleconcern of an obnoxious group showing up next door. Then turn onto rough and rutted FSR 6010 for 6.5 miles to Summit Lake Campground. Enjoy this 5.8-mile out-and-back trail near Crescent, Oregon. You can tour the city's downtown to see fine examples of turn-of-the-century Secure .gov websites use HTTPS A lock It is exactly 1.06 miles to the false summit and you will gain a whopping 1,800 feet of elevation in just that one mile! One area where the fires haven't been quite so bad isWillamette Pass, southeast of Eugene. Phone Number. mining), to Sumpter. Fair warning. 541-962-8500, 201 East Second St. South Sister : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost Santiam Summit to Square Lake and Round Lake Trail. We believe good things come from people spending time outside. But in order to enjoy it, youll have to make sure you are visiting Summit Lake after mosquito season, which sometimes ends as early as August. All Hosts should review and adhere to these standards around providing a positive Hipcamp experience, being a thoughtful neighbor, and serving as a responsible citizen. This was my biggest worry from pre-trip planning because it was difficult for me to scout the road condition from the internet. Diamond Peak summit is one of the best and most underrated summit hikes in the Oregon Cascade range. Unlike Odell Lake and Crescent Lake, Summit Lake has no major, single stream to feed it. McKenzie Bridge, OR 97413 For 80 years, boisterous Granite produced (Unfortunately, this has become an issue around Summit Lake.) Waldo Lake (Oakridge) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go - Tripadvisor I spent the rest of the day exploring surrounding islands and peninsulas and found many other outstanding campsites and unsuccessfully trying to catch fish. My GPS tracker was off for Day 1 Leg 1 (turned it on after lunch); Day 2 I left it on after we already got in the car and started driving which is the reason for the inconsistencies. connected to the .gov website. Official websites use .gov A .gov We made slow but steady progress to the false summit (about 3 pm) without issue. full access. Note that the "road" into Summit Lake is a rutted and potholed dirt road that you really need a vehicle with some . Information: Crescent Ranger District Office, (541) 433-3200. Look for rock "walls" Activities Bicycling Camping & Cabins Fishing The ideal time to visit Summit Lake is early September, after Labor Day, when the weather is warm enough for swimming but the nights are cool enough to eliminate mosquitoes. It goes through the forest and past many lakes and ponds. 541-822-3381, Middle Fork Ranger District It wasnt much less than an acre in size but it had character. A five-pound Hipcamp makes it easy to find unique camping experiences. Regional discussion and conditions reports for Washington and Oregon. . website belongs to an official government organization in the For 80 years, boisterous Granite produced gold and some legendary characters . Minimum Drive Time: 3-5 hours Day 0 we left the house later than planned, took OR-58 southeast out of Eugene and about 1.5 hours later we arrived at Crescent Lake. trout; a half-mile long paved trail offers river access. Please consider the weather when making your plans. For details on the route, buy the book "100 Hikes in the Willamette Cascades" by William Sullivan. Follow this paved road 32 miles. We have a zero-tolerance policy against discrimination at Hipcamp and are committed to helping our Host and Hipcamper community be inclusive. Continue south on U.S. Route Mountains eventually stopped producing, agriculture and the arrival of Mt. Hood National Forest - Summit Lake Campground - US Forest Service Real Estate & Homes For Sale - 2385 Homes For Sale | Zillow A 2.4 million pound dredge that dates back to Its about nourishment and learning. Address Forest Road 6010 Crescent, Oregon GPS: 43.462227, -122.133168 Elevation: 5564' Get Directions Management Public - Forest Service (Official) Website The road in is Dirt. It is the tallest of the Three Sisters, outdistancing both Middle Sister and North Sister. (Total of 112 miles), Top One Night Backpacking Trips in Oregon, Corvallis to Sea Trail - Sugarbowl Creek segment (members only), Park Meadow to Golden Lake (members only), Middle Fork Willamette Trail (members only), Quinn Lakes & Eddeeleo Lakes (members only), Blair Lake to Spring Prairie (members only), Strawberry Lake & Strawberry Falls (members only), Top Tips For Hiking With Infants And Toddlers, Long Sleeved Shirts For Cold Weather Hiking, Storing Your Bear Canister When Backpacking, Outdoor Herbivore Backpacking Food Review, Drive OR-58 east to the outskirts of town and then turn right onto, Drive on OR-62 east for 49.5 miles, then make a s. Total of 138.5 miles via Oakridge. To be sure, there are plenty of pullouts along the primitive roads that follow the north and west shores, but most are in the dense lodgepole and ponderosa growth and miss the sun. Ten miles down the road, gold was discovered in Bull Run Creek in 1862, A 4-by-4-high clearance vehicle is recommended for both. The Elkhorn Drive Summit Lake - East Details. We reached camp just after 6pm. PCT thru-hikers have said that the mosquitoes at Summit Lake are some of the worst they have ever experienced! This road should not be attempted unless you have a very high clearance Jeep or 4Runner. https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/wallowa-whitman/recarea/?recid=80827. Though You descend to a junction by another water tank (0.6 miles) where you'll turn left. Its three sites offer only picnic tables and fire pits; the campground has a single vault toilet and an unimproved boat ramp in the middle; accessing the campground from any direction is a difficult prospect requiring a high-clearance, four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicle; and finally, when you are there at the wrong time of . There is a lot of wildlife here and in fall it is a popular hunting area. Instead, the pure, clear water you see in Summit Lake comes straight from years of Cascade snowmelt and rain, and in turn this lake becomes a primary source for the much larger and more popular Crescent Lake. From Baker City, Oregonhead north on Highway 30 toward Haines for approximately 10 miles; In Haines turn left and follow the Anthony Lake Highway signsfor approximately 11 milesto Foothill Road; Turn left on Foothill Road and go south for approximately 3.5 miles to Bulger Flat Lane (County Road 566); Turn right on Bulger Flat Lane and head west and south west on an unnamed road for approximately 4 miles to the Forest Service (FS) boundary; At the FS boundary the road becomes FS road 7301; Follow FS road 7301 for approximately 5 miles to the trailhead. The Summit Lake Campground is a great base for exploration. Please take a short survey (5 minutes or less) and help us understand what features are most important to you and what we could improve about TripCheck services.Thank you. Crowds: Moderate. Two passes, Fandango and Cedar bisect the range and provide the only reasonable opportunities to cross the mountains by car. With a population of 130, Sumpter is a shadow of Granite, the Byway turns north onto Forest Road 73. It is rated 'very difficult' only because there is route finding involved near the top as well as maneuvering around the spine's rock spires. until you reach Baker City. Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. ), ontoOR-138 W and stay on this road for 9.4 miles. Diamond Peak Summit - Hike Oregon #1. Summit Lake has a small first come first serve campground if you want to spend the night after a long day of summiting. Close to adventures. Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, Minnesota. Perhaps predictably, the sites are all first-come, first-served. 3106 Pierce Parkway SuiteD Days spent gliding across sapphire water in a canoe or kayak, weaving among islands and peninsulas in search of sand beaches and groves of huckleberries,is an experience close to heaven. Despite these charms, the lake remains uncrowded due to three major major problems:awful road access, late snowmelt and mosquitoes. Summit Lake is located in a sort of no mans land on the southern border of the Diamond Peak Wilderness, and two routes provide access. Learn more about our photo removal policy if you would like to proceed with flagging this photo for removal. The Climber's Trail is roughly 1 mile and 2000' gain over talus/scree to the false summit, then a short walk/scramble (~.25mi) to the true summit. From Oakridge, head east on Highway 58 for 2 miles and turn right at a sign for Hills Creek Dam. The route across the "saddle" to the true summit was straightforward with minimal elevation gain, easy Class I/II terrain but one particular gendarme resulted in a short stretch of Class III scrambling. Three miles past Indigo Springs Campground, turn left on Timpanogas Road 2154. Coordinates: 43.46253, -122.13376 Waldo Lake The lake rewards every effort, and the campground provides some of the more open camping areas around the lake. Valley in the Baker City area to mine gold. Note: Some of the data is off due to the different combinations of information sources (topo maps, GPS tracker) I spliced together. #2. Turn left onto the access road and follow the road to the right. There are a few different routes up the mountain, but the route starting at Summit Lake is by far the easiest. Oregon Department of Transportation. By clicking Agree and join Hipcamp, I agree to Hipcamps. Smoke will likely obscure some of your views this summer, but normally, you can see the Three Sisters, Diamond Peak and Mount Thielsen at the top. In fact, you may just sit in your parked car after your long, slow, and bumpy drive, wondering about your next move as you hear a disembodied, psychotic whine and note the mosquito clouds that float themselves against your windows like millions of minute zombies hungry for human flesh. by a ghost. The highway has several distinct stretches, and is the main east-west highway through Roseburg, and provides access to Crater Lake National Park from the north. Oregon Route 138 is an Oregon state highway that runs between the city of Elkton and a junction with U.S. Route 97 at Diamond Lake Junction. Road to Summit Lake Near Diamond Peak Oregon. --Oscar Wilde. Map Information, See accessible adventures at Detroit Lake & the McKenzie River Valley, Supervisor's Office Find him on Twitter at @ZachsORoutdoors. This is just one of the great singletrack trails in the Crescent Lake area. Indeed, it is because of this view, this incredible location, that Summit Lake Campground is an absolute gem in spite of itself. weekends and holidays throughout the summer months. He is the author of the book Hiking Southern Oregon and can be reached at zurness@StatesmanJournal.com or (503) 399-6801. Due to our late start there was less lounging time at the cabin (Hoodoo's Crescent Lake Resort) than we wanted, but we were still able to enjoy some fishing, beer, and a nice dinner. Once you crest the boulder field you will be at Diamond Peak's false summit. A canoe would be a better choice, but on a solo trip, I opted for easier traveling. Alex, his first trip of the type, was incredulous that a "pile of rocks which would easily be knocked over by an animal" would serve as our navigational guide. It is very steep and the rocks are loose, so take it slow. From Hoodoo's (above) we simply drove west along Crescent Lake's north shore until we hit FR 398/6010 which continued directly west to Summit Lake and the Pacific Crest Trail head parking lot (roughly: 43.4632, -122.1341). Situated in Kalmath National Forest right on Oregon's southern border, this remote dispersed campground is close to the Pacific Crest Trail and Mt. It is the youngest, geologically speaking having the most recent volcanic activity of the Three Sisters. Summit Lake is the smallest and most remote of the three-lake sequence that sits in the glaciated basin just east of Diamond Peak. 541-225-6300, Detroit Ranger District The Summit Lake Trailhead is a very primitive trailhead located along the Wild and Scenic North Powder River. Share sensitive information only From the false summit you will hike along Diamond Peak's spine another 0.4 miles to the top, gaining your last 545 feet of elevation. Summit Lake Trail In the Oregon Cascades Recreation Area, this trail begins from the Summit Lake Trailhead on Forest Road 6010, crosses Windy Lakes Trail #50, and ends at the Oldenberg Lake Trail #45. There are multiple cairns along the route to help find your way but again, not really necessary. Between the 5,500-foot altitude, the rough roads, and the mosquitoes, the window of opportunity for visiting Summit Lake is small indeed (unless you consider some winter adventures!). Turn left at a very faint sign for Summit Lake and FSR 6010 and follow this awful. Easy 4 mile walk back to the car. I opted for the longer route, which follows paved FSR 21 most of the way and includes less time on awful FSR 6010. The 6 miles of road NF-398 from Crescent Lake to Summit Lake is some of the roughest road you will ever experience in Oregon and the road gets worse every single year. Theres also a rustic shelter that can be rented it has a dirt floor and planks for beds, so dont expect the Hilton. We believe good things come from people spending time outside. From a parking area just below the summit of Steens Mountain, this 2.5-mile hike (1.25 each way) descends 1200 feet into a cirque at the head of Wildhorse Canyon to the shores of Wildhorse Lake. Nighttime low 38F. Its three sites offer only picnic tables and fire pits; the campground has a single vault toilet and an unimproved boat ramp in the middle; accessing the campground from any direction is a difficult prospect requiring a high-clearance, four-wheel drive or all-wheel drive vehicle; and finally, when you are there at the wrong time of year, the mosquitoes can become absolutely terrible. Summit to Summit Motorway - Nobody Hikes in LA It's unmarked but noted to be a "well worn booth path" with a cairn marking its junction with the PCT. 770 for another 2 miles. Trailhead coordinates: 34.12509, -118.63485 (34 07 30.32N 118 38 05.46W) View Santa Monica Mountains in a larger map. Here you won't see any rock cairns, but it's easy to see that you just go straight up. its glory days when miners produced over $10 million in gold ore, and So take these recommendations with a grain of salt and call the Middle Fork Ranger Station(541-782-2283) in advance to check conditions. It's much steeper going than the PCT was, but its solidly within Class I territory. Thanked: 183 times in 105 posts. And that means you might have a little slice of Summit Lake all to yourself. For example, theAconcagua mountain page has the 'Aconcagua Group' and the 'Seven Summits' asparents and is a parent itself to many routes, photos, and Trip Reports. Generally considered an easy route, it takes an average of 1 h 56 min to complete. Day Stats: Distance ~ 10.5 miles. If that hike seems a little much, you can always stop at Marie and Rockpile Lakes, or explore Timpanogas Lake a little farther down the road. Because the rocks are loose you have to watch your footing carefully. Butisland camping alsocanbe lonely, especially on a solo trip, without even the mainland chipmunks around to keep you company. It was a simple backtrack down the Climber's trail, the PCT, and back to camp at Rockpile Lake for the night. (Cutting wood from the islands few trees would not be responsible). It was my first backpacking trip with my 2 best friends (Alex and James; they had a combined 1 backcountry night between them prior to this). Easier day-hikes bring you to Rockpile and Marie lakes, while a more challenging adventure of 10 to 13 miles and 4,000 feet of climb bring you to the summit of Diamond Peak. Directions: From Oakridge, continue east on Highway 58 for 1.8 miles to a Hills Creek Dam sign between mileposts 37 and 38. They extend nearly 80 miles, from the Red Rock Valley in California to Warner Canyon, which lies immediately east of Lakeview, Oregon. As a bonus, Odell and Crescent Lakes are nearby for frontcountry access and stagingpurposes(I chose Crescent Lake for this trip). Its about protecting what sustains us. from the area until 1954. Summit Lake, southeast of Oakridge, is one of the great secret places in the Cascade Mountains not just because of its islands, but also because of the clear water and views of Diamond Peak. Turn left on Forest Road 2160 and continue for approximately 1 mile then turn right on 2160-380. More than 23 miles of trail surround the lake. It is not a bad climb if ridden from north to south either. The Summit to Summit event is on Saturday, May 6th, 2023, at the Summit Christian College campus in Gering, NE. It has great flow when ridden from south to north. Joseph, OR 97846 Summit Lake Campground - Crescent, Oregon | Free Camping Near You We hit the trail with high spirits just after 8 am. There are dispersed campsites around the lake as well. ) or https:// means you've safely Water: No. Directions: From Oakridge, continue east on Highway 58 for 1.8 miles to a "Hills Creek Dam" sign between mileposts 37 and 38. This is a FREE campsite. The Climber's Trail at first isn't well defined but multiple paths can be easily made (just point yourself "up" to the high point). Go island camping at spectacular lake hidden in Oregon mountains, Diamond Peak: Climbing Oregon's misshapen mountain. Water Level: Seasonal average? Distance: 106 miles Its about more than standing on the mountain top. The path is well worn and becomes clear; however you may opt for talus-hopping as it may make for faster travel. Bicycles and motorized vehicles are not permitted. There is also a lot of primitive camping along the Pacific Crest Trail near Summit Lake, as well as near small ponds on the way to the Diamond Peak climber trail. For this story, Im spotlighting my three favorite lakes in the area Timpanogas, Summit and Waldo. This route may be longer, and it still has very rough sections, but much less of them. Sherburne National Wildlife Refuge, Minnesota. 2023Outdoor Project. Leg 3 (Climber's Trail) would be the "toughest section." The rest of the hike would definitely be rated easy to moderate. Springfield,OR 97477 Hipcamp is created with and hope for our future. This trail is great for hiking and running, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Westfir, OR 97492 This section is fully exposed; it would be a direct but annoying retreat to treeline if storms rolled in. 541-782-2283, https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/willamette/recarea/?recid=81076, MRRD: Helicopter Operations Occurring 4/14/23-6/14/23, FIRE CLOSURES: Cedar Creek, Beachie Creek & Lionshead, Holiday Farm, Potter, etc, Forest Road 46 open for 11 miles; portion closed to vehicle traffic. beware of the sign that says Diamond Peak Trail 1 mile from Summit Lake as I tried it and a large tree blocked the way in July of 2002). The river empties But at least you wont have to pay for the privilege. Severed from the mainland and all its inhabitants, you become governor of an adopted patch of earth in a way thats different from camping near a trail or road. But that doesn't mean you need to let the fires win. Map. We awoke on time (pre-dawn) for breakfast and final gear and weather check; however we deliberately waited for daylight to ensure we could safely navigate FR-368. peaks in view here form the backdrop for the Anthony Lakes Recreation Exposure on the summit but otherwise forested. When Forest Road 73 ends Soon, the Byway turns west and joins the Powder River. Deschutes National Forest - Summit Lake Trail - US Forest Service In particular, NF-398 from Crescent Lake to Summit Lake will take time to drive. Successful summit; Diamond Peak (8,744'), September 11 2016. 509-758-0616, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest on Facebook, Wallowa-Whitman National Forest on Twitter. Chambers Lakes: From Sisters, drive 1.4 miles west on McKenzie Pass Highway, aka Oregon 242. The first thing that grabs your attention about Summit Lake is the clarity of the water. Summit Lake: a beckoning hideaway in Oregon Cascades Upon arrival, I met a family that has been coming here for 20 years. Eugene visitors have the option of accessing NF-398 from the south side of the lake via NF-2154 and NF-21, which begins east of Oakridge.