Little Crater Lake
Did you know that there’s a second, much smaller Crater Lake in Oregon? Little Crater Lake bears a passing resemblance to its namesake thanks to its deep, cold, indigo water, fed by an underground spring. A 1.4 mile hike will take you from Little Crater Lake to nearby Timothy Lake, which was formed by a dam on the Oak Grove Fork of the Clackamas River. This trail winds through marshland, meadows, and a mix of lodgepole pine and Engelmann spruce forest, and most of it takes place on a wooden boardwalk.
📷 John Sparks via OregonHikers.org
Riverside Trail
This 7.8 mile hike winds along the shallow, rocky, fast-moving Clackamas River. The effects of the 2020 wildfires are still evident, with plenty of burned trees, but the forest has begun its ecological recovery. Sunny pockets are full of new growth, including native plants like fireweed, lupine, and huckleberry, and if you look closely, you might find the delicate Clackamas white iris, which is endemic to the area.
📷 John Sparks via OregonHikers.org
Timberline Trail
Looking for a summer backpacking trip? The 38.3 mile Timberline Trail takes you all the way around the base of Mt. Hood. This is a challenging hike, with about 9,000 feet of elevation gain, which is why people often make it into a three or four day trip. Starting and ending at the Timberline Lodge, this hike showcases wildflower meadows, alpine lakes, and, of course, amazing, up-close views of Mt. Hood, as well as views of Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Adams, Mt. Jefferson, the Three Sisters, and Mt. Rainier.
📷 Tom Kloster via OregonHikers.org
Badger Creek Wilderness
Another great backpacking option is the 23 mile Badger Creek hike. This trail starts on the eastern side of the Cascades and make your way west to Badger Lake, which is part of the vast Badger Creek Wilderness Area. You’ll hike through dry forests of ponderosa pine and manzanita, cross over willow-lined creeks, and through open slopes of wildflowers. Keep an eye out for the lady’s slipper orchid, which blooms in May.
📷 John Sparks via OregonHikers.org
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