Clear Lake
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Hike Details:
Mileage: 5 miles out and back w/ 560 ft. elevation gain
Approximate hike time: 2 hours w/ an average pace of 2.5 mph
Difficulty: Easy
Trail usage: High on weekends in spring, summer, fall, low during the winter, low on weekdays
General location: 20 miles east of McKenzie Bridge off of OR-126 - Willamette National Forest
Suggested seasons: Late spring, summer, fall for hiking, winter for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing
(Best time to go is early to mid-October when the vine maples are changing color).
Permits required: N/A
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs on leash, mountain biking, camping at the campgrounds along the way, snowshoeing & cross-country skiing in the winter
Approximate hike time: 2 hours w/ an average pace of 2.5 mph
Difficulty: Easy
Trail usage: High on weekends in spring, summer, fall, low during the winter, low on weekdays
General location: 20 miles east of McKenzie Bridge off of OR-126 - Willamette National Forest
Suggested seasons: Late spring, summer, fall for hiking, winter for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing
(Best time to go is early to mid-October when the vine maples are changing color).
Permits required: N/A
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs on leash, mountain biking, camping at the campgrounds along the way, snowshoeing & cross-country skiing in the winter
Clear Lake is a very popular place to recreate whether it be hiking, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, or snowshoeing/cross-country skiing in the winter time.
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Description:Clear Lake is a very popular place to recreate whether it be hiking, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking, or snowshoeing/cross-country skiing in the winter time.
Clear Lake was formed 3,000 years ago when lava flowed from the Cascades and dammed the McKenzie River. This created a clear, cold lake where you can still see the tree snags from long ago below the surface. To do the loop, you will start off to the left of the lodge. Pass the cabins that you can rent out, and this is where you find the trailhead. After 1 mile you come to a bridge that crosses Ikenick Creek. Right before the Ikenick bridge you will see a sign on the left for the McKenzie River trailhead. This is where mountain bikers start when they do the entire 26 mile long McKenzie River Trail. |
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0.5 miles after the Ikenick bridge, there is another bridge that crosses Fish Lake Creek. If you are here in the winter and there is snow on the bridge, it is recommended that you take off your skis or snowshoes and crossing the creek bed instead of the bridge. There is rarely any water in this creek except in spring. DO NOT cross the bridge with snow on it. The bridge is pretty narrow, and the snow can pile up past the railings, which means you can easily slide off and fall 20 feet into a dry rocky creek bed.
After the bridge, you will head uphill a bit more (which is more noticeable in the winter with snowshoes than in the summer on a dry trail), until you come to your first view of Clear Lake. |
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Looking at the lake from this long angle is pretty cool. You can rent row boats at the lodge during the summer season, and on clear days you can see the Three Sisters in the background.
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From Lake Creek it is 0.5 miles to the Great Spring, which is the perfect lunch spot, even though you are not quite half way done with the hike yet (at Great Spring you still have 3.5 miles to go). If you thought that Clear Lake was blue, you will be awe struck when you see the Great Spring. In the summer you are able to climb down a steep embankment so you can sit right at the spring's edge.
(The Great Spring in the fall)
(The Great Spring in the summer)
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(The Great Spring in the winter)
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About 0.25 miles past the Great Spring, you start seeing amazing views of the entire lake. There is about 1 mile of a lava section, where they have paved the path in some places so that no one has to clamber over the sharp lava rocks. You can even mountain bike on this section of trail since the McKenzie River Trail joins this one up at Ikenick. The lava section is much more difficult to navigate in the winter, and unless there has been a lot of snowshoe or ski traffic before you, you will most likely have to blaze your own trail.
(the lava section in the fall)
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(the lava section in the winter)
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After you pass Coldwater Cove campground, it will be another 0.8 miles to the McKenzie River trail junction. At this junction you can choose to hike another mile down the McKenzie River to Sahalie Falls, or you can turn right and cross the bridge and from here it is another 1.2 miles back to the lodge. The last 1.2 miles back to the lodge is a little bit boring because the trail is higher up in the trees and not right on the water, so you don't get those spectacular views. But the forest is beautiful here.
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Overall, this trail is highly recommended for everyone! It is one of the most well maintained trails, pretty flat and not very challenging, which allows you to easily enjoy the beauty around you. This is the perfect place to hike in fall (late September to mid-October) when the leaves are changing color but there is still sun out which makes the lake look extra clear. This is one of Oregon's most beautiful hikes, so expect there to be quite a few people hiking here on weekends during the spring, summer and fall.
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Directions:
From Bend
- Drive north on US-97 and then merge onto US-20 west towards Sisters. At Santiam Junction stay to the right and merge onto OR-126/20 and then stay left at the next junction and continue on OR-126 towards Eugene. Between mileposts 3 and 4 look for a sign that says Clear Lake Resort, and turn onto a narrow paved road that winds down to the lodge. *In the winter if you don't have 4 wheel drive or a car that has decent traction in the snow, do not park down at the lake. They do not plow this access road to the lodge and it is pretty steep. You can park across the highway at the sno park (to park here you will need a sno park pass though). (Total of 58 miles).
- Drive OR-126 20 miles east of the town of McKenzie Bridge. Between mileposts 3 and 4 look for a sign that says Clear Lake Resort, and turn onto a narrow paved road that winds down to the lodge. *In the winter if you don't have 4 wheel drive or a car that has decent traction in the snow, do not park down at the lake. They do not plow this access road to the lodge and it is pretty steep. You can park across the highway at the sno park (to park here you will need a sno park pass though). (Total of 73.4 miles).
- Drive on OR-22 east towards Detroit. At Santiam Junction stay to the right and merge onto OR-126/20 and then stay left at the next junction and continue on OR-126 towards Eugene. Between mileposts 3 and 4 look for a sign that says Clear Lake Resort, and turn onto a narrow paved road that winds down to the lodge. *In the winter if you don't have 4 wheel drive or a car that has decent traction in the snow, do not park down at the lake. They do not plow this access road to the lodge and it is pretty steep. You can park across the highway at the sno park (to park here you will need a sno park pass though). (Total of 92.4 miles).
- It is a total of 138 miles via Salem.
- It is a total of 237 miles via Eugene.
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To get a more in-depth and personal view of this hike, watch the YouTube video.
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*All pictures are taken by Franziska Weinheimer
*Disclaimer: The trail descriptions, mileage, GPS tracks and difficulty ratings depicted on this website are never 100% accurate. Always hike at your own risk, using your own knowledge, equipment and common sense. Franziska Weinheimer/Hike Oregon are not responsible if you or anyone in your party gets injured or lost while attempting one of these or any other hikes.
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