Rosary Lakes
​to Maiden Peak Shelter
​
Rosary Lakes trail is a very popular and accessible section of the Pacific Crest Trail near Willamette Pass. It is great for summer hiking, swimming, fishing and backpacking, and in the winter it is the perfect trail for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.
In the summer the trail starts off at the well-marked PCT trailhead where there is ample parking and a pit toilet. In the winter you cannot park at the trailhead because they don't plow it, so you will have to park at Willamette Pass ski resort. You can park there for free and walk over past the bunny hill lift, you will see a sign where the trail starts and then connects you to the PCT.
In the summer the trail starts off at the well-marked PCT trailhead where there is ample parking and a pit toilet. In the winter you cannot park at the trailhead because they don't plow it, so you will have to park at Willamette Pass ski resort. You can park there for free and walk over past the bunny hill lift, you will see a sign where the trail starts and then connects you to the PCT.
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Both in the summer and winter, the trail is very groomed as this is a very popular trail during all seasons. The first part is a gradual 3 mile climb through beautiful fir forest. All of the trees have a plethora of moss on them, and in the summer you can really see where the snow line usually is. If you are snowshoeing or cross-country skiing and for some reason the trail isn't already blazed, you will follow the bright blue diamonds that are high up on the trees.
(Lower Rosary Lake)
After 3 miles you will come to Lower Rosary Lake which is the largest of the three lakes. There are a few areas to camp around the left side of the lake. The trail continues one mile along the shore of the lake and up the hill a bit more to Middle and Upper (aka North) Rosary Lakes. Middle Rosary Lake is the prettiest lake, and you have such a nice view of Pulpit Rock, which is beautiful in both the summer and winter. There is a nice place to camp at the far end of Middle Rosary Lake at the bottom of Pulpit Rock, as well as the strip of land that is between the Middle and Upper lakes.
(Middle Rosary Lake & Pulpit Rock in the summer)
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(Pulpit Rock in the winter)
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(Upper Rosary Lake)
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Right after Upper Rosary Lake (the smallest of the lakes), the trail will start to switchback up a steep hill. You will see a sign for Maiden Lake trail, (this trail takes you to a small lake, as well as up to Maiden Peak). Continue on the PCT up the hill, and you will quickly be rewarded with amazing views of all three Rosary Lakes, Pulpit Rock, Odell Lake, Summit Lake and Diamond Peak.
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(Upper, Middle, Lower Rosary Lakes, Pulpit Rock, Odell Lake, Summit Lake, Diamond Peak)
(Maiden Peak)
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After the 1.1 miles of uphill, you will come to the Maiden Peak Saddle. This is where you can see Maiden Peak to your right, and this is also where the trail levels out again. Another 2.5 miles through the forest with various small elevation changes, will bring you to the Maiden Peak Ski Shelter. This would be the place to ski or snowshoe up to and spend the night if you were coming here in the winter.
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The Maiden Peak Ski Shelter was constructed in 1999 by the Eugene chapter of the Oregon Nordic Club in cooperation with the US Forest Service. It is very spacious inside. It has various bench seating against the walls, a table to eat at, a place where they store extra water and pots for cooking, and the log book for people to sign. There is also a large wood stove and a huge upstairs sleeping loft. Outside underneath a cover, there is ample fire wood for use in the winter.
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Overall, this is an awesome trail to do in all seasons. It is beautiful whether there is snow or not. This is the perfect trail to do if you are new to snowshoeing, especially because you get a rewarding reveal at the end. If you are wanting to do an easy summer hike, do the 8 miles round-trip to the 3 lakes, and maybe even take a swim! If you are to ski or snowshoe up and spend the night in the winter, going up to the Maiden Peak Ski Shelter is an awesome adventure! Just remember, that if you are hiking up to the shelter in the summer, that it does make this a 13 mile hike. But because of the terrain, it is not too strenuous.
Approximate hike time: 4 hrs. 40 mins. (snowshoeing to Upper Rosary Lake 8 miles) w/ an average pace of 1.7 mph (snowshoeing is so much slower than hiking, especially when you're breaking trail of fresh snow).
4 hrs. 50 mins (summer hiking to Maiden Peak Ski Shelter 13 miles) w/ an average pace of 2.7 mph
Suggested seasons: Summer and fall (hiking), winter (snowshoeing or cross-country skiing)
(Best time to go is mid-August through mid-November for hiking. Avoid mid-June to mid-August due to horrendous mosquities in this area. For snowshoeing and cross-country skiing ideal times to go are end of December, January and early February).
Trail usage: Heavy in the summer, medium in the winter
Directions: From Eugene- head east on Hwy. 58 for 66 miles. Right after the Willamette Pass ski lodge, turn left at the PCT sign. Make sure to park at the PCT trailhead, not where the snow plows are.
From Bend- head south on US-97 for 46.8 miles to Crescent cut-off road. Turn right here and this road becomes Hwy. 61 which then T's into Hwy. 58 after 11.8 miles. Turn right onto Hwy. 58 for 11 miles and then turn right at the PCT sign right after passing Odell Lake.
**In the winter they do not plow the PCT parking lot. DO NOT park where the snow plows are, as you will get a hefty ticket. Park at Willamette Pass ski resort and take the trail to the right of the bunny hill over to the PCT or park at Gold Lake Sno Park across the highway.
4 hrs. 50 mins (summer hiking to Maiden Peak Ski Shelter 13 miles) w/ an average pace of 2.7 mph
Suggested seasons: Summer and fall (hiking), winter (snowshoeing or cross-country skiing)
(Best time to go is mid-August through mid-November for hiking. Avoid mid-June to mid-August due to horrendous mosquities in this area. For snowshoeing and cross-country skiing ideal times to go are end of December, January and early February).
Trail usage: Heavy in the summer, medium in the winter
Directions: From Eugene- head east on Hwy. 58 for 66 miles. Right after the Willamette Pass ski lodge, turn left at the PCT sign. Make sure to park at the PCT trailhead, not where the snow plows are.
From Bend- head south on US-97 for 46.8 miles to Crescent cut-off road. Turn right here and this road becomes Hwy. 61 which then T's into Hwy. 58 after 11.8 miles. Turn right onto Hwy. 58 for 11 miles and then turn right at the PCT sign right after passing Odell Lake.
**In the winter they do not plow the PCT parking lot. DO NOT park where the snow plows are, as you will get a hefty ticket. Park at Willamette Pass ski resort and take the trail to the right of the bunny hill over to the PCT or park at Gold Lake Sno Park across the highway.
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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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