Journalist By Nature: Mountain High Lakes: Little Crater and Timothy

Timothy Lake

Given the mountainous topography of Mt. Hood National Forest and the propensity of water to run downhill, it is not surprising to learn there are over 150 lakes within its 1 million acres. As the linked chart shows, most of these lakes are at elevations between 3500 and 5000 feet. Hikers will be happy to know there are 900 miles of trails in this expanse of forest, some which can provide lake access. The Pacific Crest Trail, running through the western United States between the Mexican and Canadian borders, often intersects or joins some of the local trails. This was the case on our hike from Little Crater Lake to and around Timothy Lake Reservoir.

Driving 46 miles east of Sandy to the south side of Mt. Hood, we arrived at the Little Crater Lake campground. It is sited near a boggy meadow at 3300 feet elevation where mosquitoes await your arrival for their next snack. Bug spray will keep them from an all-out attack, but they will continue to circle your body searching for any unprotected skin access.

Little Crater Lake

Logs clearly seen at 45 feet

A short walk through the meadow brings hikers to the so-called geological oddity of Little Crater Lake. It is in fact just a pond, 100 feet across and about 30-45 feet deep, but its unusual clarity and aquamarine color are definitely reminiscent of the famous cerulean Crater Lake further south. This pond was created when an underground artesian water source pushed upward, dissolving limestone sediment. Logs can clearly be seen on the bottom of the pond. The underground spring maintains the lake at a constant 34 degrees and despite the Forest Service's prohibition against swimming, it lures the occasional brave visitor into its icy depths for a brief but exhilarating watery embrace. It would be unwise to allow children to even wade at the edges as there is an abrupt drop-off straight to the bottom.

Picking up the Timothy Lake trail, we entered a forest of old although not ancient growth fir and hemlock. The understory is fairly clear with stumps marking the remnants of some logging activity. The trail is mostly level, wide, well-packed from heavy use and sprinkled with rounded rocks and tree roots in places. It parallels the 13 miles of shoreline around the lake and intersects on the east side with the PCT where we encountered several youthful hikers making the summer trek along its route. Glimpses of the blue lake are viewed between the trees and there are designated camping spots along the way. A Boy Scout troop was working on their 50 mile hiking badge while one leader guarded the camp. Crayfish caught on their hike were on the menu for dinner.

Lunch on a log

As the morning lengthened towards noon we began to search for a lunch and swimming spot. Most of the early trail was too far above the shoreline to allow easy access. We finally located a suitable spot, setting up our potluck picnic lunch on a log. The display of food ranged through bite-sized sandwiches, hard-boiled eggs, blueberry muffins, fresh cantaloupe, cold fish bits with dipping sauce, delicious healthy cookies, banana bread, a Manchego cheese wedge, fresh bruschetta and french bread and a couple of bottles of chilled wine. Did I mention Slovenian chocolate? That too. After indulging ourselves, we had to pack half of it back out!

Photo J. McCoy

Next on the agenda was a swim. Well, maybe a dip. Stripping down to or changing into our swim apparel we negotiated the slippery boulders at the entry point, taking the foolishly slow immersion option until slipping entirely into the chilly waters, gasping in surprise and finally hollering in breathy phrasing "it's nice!" Paddling about in the lakey-smelling water we later learned there was a green algae bloom in the lake. In our ignorance we enjoyed the varying temperature spots near the shore and the wonderful cooling effect on hot feet and sweaty bodies.

Once again in hiking attire we resumed our course, heading for the southwestern tip of the lake where a 110 foot high earth-filled dam holds the reservoir in place, releasing water for PGE power production and Clackamas County drinking water. A couple of us begged off for the final three miles of the eight mile trek, needing to rest cranky joints. A timely wooden bench appeared at the Oak Fork campground, affording us a view with comforts of drinking water and restrooms. The others continued on to the Pine Point campground for a connection with a vehicle to pick us up and take us all back to our parked cars at Little Crater Lake. Our wait time was filled with conversation and hails to kayakers paddling on the calm, expansive waters. Riding in the back of a pickup truck, hair blowing about in the air flow, dog napping against his owner's shoulder, we closed out another great day on the trail. A golden sunset completed the adventure of today's hike. Timothy Lake is a very popular area for camping, day use and hiking so take your pick and enjoy one of Oregon's natural treasures.