Fawn Lake Loop
Fawn Lake loop is a beautiful loop hike in the Diamond Peak Wilderness. The parking lot is very large, so you can't miss it, and there is a pit toilet. The trail to Fawn Lake is trail no. 3844.1 and you will cross a paved road and a horse trail before the trail takes you through semi-dense woods. After .8 miles you come to the junction where you will rejoin after hiking the entire loop.
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The trail to the left is Pretty Lake trail no. 3848. You will want to continue on to Fawn Lake which is to the right, for another 2.6 miles. From here on, the trail meanders at a slight incline, and the trees get thinner and a bit more sparse.
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Arriving at Fawn Lake, you will see two hills across the lake. The one on the left is Redtop Mountain and the craggy peak on the right Lakeview Mountain, which you get a better view of from Stag Lake. Fawn Lake is fairly large, and there is camping areas nearby. Here you can choose to only do the 7 mile loop and you will continue on to Pretty Lake. Or you can make a 3.2 mile out and back detour and head up to
Stag Lake. |
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If you do this detour, shortly after turning right at Fawn Lake, you will see a couple of signs on a tree, pointing to the direction of Odell Lake, which is a few miles away. Here you will continue left on trail no. 3844 for another mile until you come to another junction. This trail (no. 3844) actually goes all the way to the Pacific Crest Trail, and it connects with many other trails, which makes it such a great area for backpacking!
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After 1 mile, on a sloped trail where you can see Fawn Lake from above, you arrive at a trail junction with a very small sign on a tree. Keep an eye out, because it's easy to miss. Turn right and continue on for another .5 mile to Stag Lake. There is a large area to camp near Stag Lake, with an already constructed fire pit. You really couldn't pick a more beautiful spot to camp.
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Stag Lake has wonderful sandy beaches, and on a nice sunny day, the lake is turquoise green! After eating lunch at Stag Lake and watching the colors change on Lakeview Mountain, you can head back and continue the loop once you hit the junction at Fawn Lake. Pretty Lake trail no. 3848 takes you 1.8 miles back into dense woods until you hit the lake. Pretty Lake really isn't that pretty, and in low snow years, there will be hardly any water in the lake.
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After Pretty Lake, the trail heads downhill for another 1.3 miles back to the original junction, and then .8 miles back to the parking lot. On the way down, you can see views of Crescent Butte on the way down once the trees became more sparse again.
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Overall, this hike is amazing, and very underrated! This is a trail that everyone should check out, whether you're wanting to backpack or just do a day hike. This is the perfect hike for fall weather in Oregon, because the woods, the lakes and surrounding hills still look great in grey overcast, gloomy lighting. This hike is absolutely recommended to everyone! It is easy, the trail is well maintained, and there is very little elevation gain, especially if you're only going to Fawn Lake.
Approximate hike time: 4 hrs. 10 mins. (for the 10.6 mile hike)
Suggested seasons: Summer, fall
Trail usage: Light to moderate (once you pass Fawn Lake the usage becomes light)
Directions: From Eugene head 70 miles East on Hwy 58. From Bend drive 47 miles on Hwy 97 to Crescent Rd. After 12 miles turn right onto Hwy. 58. Turn at a sign for 'Crescent Lake Campgrounds' in Crescent Junction (a tiny town 7 miles east of Willamette Pass). Follow Road 60 for 2.2 miles and then turn right at a pointer labeled 'camping'. In another .5 mile turn left onto the Crescent Lake campground entrance road. At the first exit to the right, drive to the far end of a large parking lot where you will see the Fawn Lake trail sign.
Suggested seasons: Summer, fall
Trail usage: Light to moderate (once you pass Fawn Lake the usage becomes light)
Directions: From Eugene head 70 miles East on Hwy 58. From Bend drive 47 miles on Hwy 97 to Crescent Rd. After 12 miles turn right onto Hwy. 58. Turn at a sign for 'Crescent Lake Campgrounds' in Crescent Junction (a tiny town 7 miles east of Willamette Pass). Follow Road 60 for 2.2 miles and then turn right at a pointer labeled 'camping'. In another .5 mile turn left onto the Crescent Lake campground entrance road. At the first exit to the right, drive to the far end of a large parking lot where you will see the Fawn Lake trail sign.
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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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