Green Lakes
via fall creek
Hike Details:
Mileage: 9 miles round trip w/ 1,100 ft. elevation gain (to the first two Green Lakes) OR 11.25 mile lollipop loop w/ 1,760 ft. elevation gain (for the loop around the Green Lakes)
Approximate hike time: 3 hours 54 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph for the 9 miles OR
4 hours 53 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph for the 11.25 miles
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Trail usage: High on summer weekends, low to medium during the fall
General location: 25 miles west of Bend - Deschutes National Forest - Three Sisters Wilderness
Suggested seasons: Summer, fall
(Best time to go is late July and early August for wildflowers and September for beautiful weather).
Permits required: Limited Entry Permit for day hikes & overnight (May 28 - Sept. 24, 2021) & a Northwest Forest Pass for parking.
Outside of those dates you will just need to fill out a self issue wilderness permit at the trailhead & a Northwest Forest Pass for parking.
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs, horses, camping
Possible dangers: N/A
Approximate hike time: 3 hours 54 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph for the 9 miles OR
4 hours 53 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph for the 11.25 miles
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult
Trail usage: High on summer weekends, low to medium during the fall
General location: 25 miles west of Bend - Deschutes National Forest - Three Sisters Wilderness
Suggested seasons: Summer, fall
(Best time to go is late July and early August for wildflowers and September for beautiful weather).
Permits required: Limited Entry Permit for day hikes & overnight (May 28 - Sept. 24, 2021) & a Northwest Forest Pass for parking.
Outside of those dates you will just need to fill out a self issue wilderness permit at the trailhead & a Northwest Forest Pass for parking.
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs, horses, camping
Possible dangers: N/A
Description:
The Green Lakes Trail is one of the most popular day hikes and backpacking destinations in Central Oregon, and for good reason. This hike can be accessed from various different trailheads (Soda Springs TH, Todd Lake, Park Meadow and Moraine Lake), however the most popular way to go is the official Green Lakes/Soda Creek trailhead right off of the Cascade Lakes Highway. The parking lot is large, with room for horse trailers as well.
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The first 2.1 miles of the hike are through the forest along the banks of Fall Creek. You will see Fall Creek Falls 0.6 miles into the hike. This waterfall is usually raging, especially early in the season, since Fall Creek is fed by the three Green Lakes and the glaciers that melt into them. At the 2 mile mark, you will see a sign to Moraine Lake to the left. If you wanted to make this a longer day, or if you are doing the Three Sisters Loop, you can hike the 2.5 miles over to Moraine Lake and camp there.
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(Fall Creek Falls)
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(Fall Creek next to the lava flow)
(the first of the Green Lakes and Broken Top)
The next 2.3 miles trend uphill a bit more and include a few switchbacks. Shortly after the Moraine Lake trail split, you will cross Fall Creek, and the next few miles take you along the right side of the creek, with a massive lava flow on the left side. In late July and early August you will see beautiful wildflowers starting to bloom along the creek. After a total of 4.3 miles you will come to the first Green Lake on the right with Broken Top reflected in it. Here you are entering the Green Lakes Basin and you will see a map that shows all of the designated camping spots. There are a total of 28 designated campsites in the Green Lakes Management area, and if you decide to camp within this boundary, you MUST camp at one of these sites.
(Click picture to enlarge the map)
The sites are marked by a post that has the campsite number on it. Do not make your own campsite, as this area is extremely fragile and please adhere to the 7 Leave No Trace Principles.
For the shorter 9 mile round trip hike, you would enjoy the lakes here and then turn back. For the longer lollipop loop, continue across the creek that connects the two lakes. (You can also take the Broken Top trail and connect the two hikes, making it into a 14 mile loop coming back via the Soda Creek trail, ending up at the same parking lot that you started at. ).
For the shorter 9 mile round trip hike, you would enjoy the lakes here and then turn back. For the longer lollipop loop, continue across the creek that connects the two lakes. (You can also take the Broken Top trail and connect the two hikes, making it into a 14 mile loop coming back via the Soda Creek trail, ending up at the same parking lot that you started at. ).
(the second of the Green Lakes and South Sister)
If you go to the right, the trail will take you around the eastern side of the largest of the three Green Lakes. On this side you will also find a few of the other designated camp sites.
(the third of the Green Lakes)
The third of the Green Lakes is the best one for swimming because it is deep and has a shoreline that you can jump off of. Even though this lake doesn't have a view of Broken Top or South Sister, it is more secluded than the other two and also has some more private camping spots.
(Green Lakes flood basin and South Sister)
If you are on the longer hike, you don't want to miss heading all the way around the lakes. The trail becomes washed out the further out into the flood basin you get. From here you can see vast views of South Sister, Mt. Bachelor and Broken Top. This is not an official trail, but if you stay along the side of South Sister, and continue heading south, you will get back to Green Lakes.
(Broken Top and Mt. Bachelor)
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At the flanks of South Sister you will see the spring that feeds the lakes erupting out of the side of the mountain. It is pretty neat to see. The farther on you go, the more the trail becomes elusive through all the large rocks. Stay as close as you can to the side of the mountain, and all of a sudden you will come to a huge waterfall that is formed by one of the many streams coming off the Lewis Glacier. Once you get to the waterfall, you will follow the stream down to where it
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(springs)
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meets the largest of the Green Lakes. Here you will have to cross some water. There is usually some wood and rocks placed here for easy crossing. Cross the creek, and you will again be on the main trail and on your way back to the car.
The Green Lakes Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Central Oregon for a reason. The terrain is not difficult, there is not much elevation gain, and you get the best of both worlds, mountain views and alpine lakes! This is a hike that any age and fitness level can easily and safely do, provided you take it slow, and it is perfect if you are a beginner backpacker wanting to try out a short trip. Keep in mind, this trail still has lingering snow in the forest until early July and the lakes are frozen over usually until mid-June. The mosquitoes are pretty heavy in the month of July and sometimes early August but don't let that deter you from going on this amazing hike.
Directions:
From Bend
- Drive 26 miles west of Bend on the Cascade Lakes Highway. After you see the turn off for Sparks Lake, keep your eyes open for the Green Lakes Trail parking lots on the right. (Total of 25.8 miles)
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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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To get a more in-depth and personal view of this hike, watch the YouTube video.
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