Moraine Lake
​Hike details:
Mileage: 6 miles round trip w/ 1,840 ft. elevation gain
Approximate hike time: 2 hours 36 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: High during the summer, medium during the fall
Highest elevation: 6,813 ft. Lowest elevation: 5,428 ft.
General location: 28 miles west of Bend - Three Sisters Wilderness - Deschutes National Forest
Accessible: Mid-June to mid-November
(Best time to go is August through early November to avoid mosquitoes).
Permits required: Central Cascades Wilderness Permit for day hikes & overnight (June 15 - October 15 via recreation.gov). Outside of those dates you will need a free self issue wilderness permit & Northwest Forest Pass for parking.
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs on leash July 15 - September 15, camping
Possible dangers: N/A
Approximate hike time: 2 hours 36 minutes w/ an average pace of 2.3 mph
Difficulty: Moderate
Trail usage: High during the summer, medium during the fall
Highest elevation: 6,813 ft. Lowest elevation: 5,428 ft.
General location: 28 miles west of Bend - Three Sisters Wilderness - Deschutes National Forest
Accessible: Mid-June to mid-November
(Best time to go is August through early November to avoid mosquitoes).
Permits required: Central Cascades Wilderness Permit for day hikes & overnight (June 15 - October 15 via recreation.gov). Outside of those dates you will need a free self issue wilderness permit & Northwest Forest Pass for parking.
Pit toilet at trailhead: Yes
Trail allows: Dogs on leash July 15 - September 15, camping
Possible dangers: N/A
Description:Moraine Lake is one of the most beautiful high mountain lakes in the Three Sisters Wilderness, and because this is a moderate hike, it is the perfect destination if you are a first time backpacker. This is also a great place to take your kids hiking because the lakeshore is shallow and not mucky and the lake gets relatively warm during the late summer months.
From the north side of the parking lot take the South Sister Climber Trail #36, following a creek until you come to the road. Once you have carefully crossed the Cascade Lakes Highway, you will see the official trailhead sign. |
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The first 1.9 miles start off in a thick hemlock forest along a creek, where in late June and through the month of July, the mosquito swarms are thick and hungry. The trail goes up a pretty steep incline as you make your way between Kaleetan Butte and Devils Hill, gaining 1,300 feet of elevation. There are countless little switchbacks, and after 1.9 miles you will crest up to a plateau. This is a great spot to take a little snack break.
(Broken Top)
(view of South Sister from the climber trail)
(Mt. Bachelor)
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(trail split to Moraine Lake)
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At the plateau you will see your first trail intersection. Take the Moraine Lake Trail #17.1 to the right and hike slightly downhill for 0.75 miles to the shores of Moraine Lake. This blue/green lake sits in a small basin with South Sister visible to the south.
(Moraine Lake in June 2015)
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(Moraine Lake in June 2016)
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(approach to Moraine Lake)
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Moraine Lake Management Area has 22 designated primitive first come first serve campsites and if you choose to camp within the boundary you must camp at one of these sites. The campsites are clearly marked by a post with the site number on it. Some of the sites are among the trees on the hill on the east side of the lake, and some are on the west side high above the lake. Many people choose Moraine Lake as their base camp for a sunrise South Sister summit.
Green Lakes is also only 3.8 miles away from here, so if you are camping here, that would make a great day trip to check out the Green Lakes basin. Moraine Lake used to be stocked with fish, however the winter kill was just too frequent, so the Forest Service stopped stocking this lake. Instead of taking the Moraine Lake Trail back, you can head uphill to the west past campsites 1, 2 and 3 and connect with the South Sister Climber Trail, making a little lollipop loop out of the end of your hike. From up there you have a great vantage point and can see the entire Moraine Lake basin below, along with views of Broken Top and Mount Bachelor. |
(click image to enlarge the map)
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(Moraine Lake and South Sister)
Moraine Lake is the perfect Central Oregon day hike or first time backpacking trip for you and your kids. Even though the first 1.5 miles of the trail are steep, the trail is extremely family friendly and well maintained. Due to the popularity of this area, the trails are always well marked and in great condition. This place is a must-see, and you will not believe that a gem like this is so close to town!Keep in mind that each year is going to be different in terms of conditions. There are years where you can get up to the lake entirely snow free by mid-June, and there are years where you won't be able to see the lake and surrounding area snow free until the end of July.
(Broken Top, Moraine Lake and Mount Bachelor from South Sister climber trail viewpoint)
Directions:
From Bend
- Drive west on the Cascade Lakes Highway for a total of 22 miles. After passing the Mount Bachelor Ski area, continue another 6.6 miles and right after a sharp curve to the left, turn left into the Devils Lake Campground. (Total of 28 miles)
- Drive on OR-58 E for a total of 79 miles to the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway/Crescent Cutoff Rd/NF-61. Turn left here and follow this road for 3.2 miles and then turn left at a sign for Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway. Stay on this scenic road for 41.6 miles and turn right into the Devils Lake Campground. (Total of 125 miles)
- Total of 159 miles via Bend.
- Total of 190 miles via Bend.
- Total of 185 via Sunriver.
*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.