Hike the Timothy Lake Loop Trail Trail.

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Distance: 11.9 miles

Elevation Gain: 550 feet.

Timothy Lake is a 1,500 acre reservoir created in 1956 on the Oak Grove Fork of the Clackamas River in the Mt Hood National Forest. The lake is a very popular recreation site in the summer, with over 250 campsites located around its shores and is a popular spot for boating, biking, horseback riding and hiking. The hike is relatively level, as it stays close to the lakeside, but is also on the long side at nearly 12 miles. While this area can be a zoo in the summer, the falls months can be spectacular, with the lower elevation not getting snowed out, the larches changing colors, and the campgrounds and lakes nearly deserted.

There are a number pf places you can begin your hike, and you can go in either direction, but I like to start at the day use areas near the dam on the southwestern edge of the lake. I also prefer going counter clockwise as this offers you the best views of Mt Hood over the lake.

From the parking areas near the dam head down on one of the many trails towards the lake. There you will see signs for the Southshore Trail. Make a right and follow this trail to the east along the southern shore of Timothy Lake. This trails stays pretty close to the lake here, offering you the best lakeside hiking. This is also where you will find the best views of MT Hood towering over the lake. But it is also where the majority of the campgrounds are so, especially if you are here in the summer, expect lots of people. Some may be hiking, some just strolling, kids on bikes, non kids on bikes. You will see them all.

You will pass this final south shore campground, Oak Fork Campground, about 2.5 miles from the trailhead. Here, the traill will follow the lakeside around into a small cove formed by the confluence with Oak Grove Fork. Follo the creek w short distance past the lake and then cross a bridge over it. Here, you will have your first small climb, asencding a small ridge next to the creek. Once up, you will meet up with the PCT. Follow the PCT to the north back towards Timothy Lake.

The PCT stays a little ways back from the lake as it heads up its eastern shore. You will still be able to see it through the trees, but you won’t be right along the water anymore. At 5 miles, you will start heading up the North Arm of Timothy Lake, a narrow cove created by the Clackamas River. In another 1.5 miles, you will round the far point o the cove, and pass over the Clackamas River on another bridge.

Just over the river, you will a junction with the Timothy Lake Trail. If you stay on the PCT, if is half a mile to head out to see Little Crater Lake. Little Crater Lake is an awesome little pool that formed when a fault cracked and allowed water from a lower geologic layer shoot the surface. This lake is deep and crystal clear, allowing you to see all the way to the bottom through its brilliant blue water. If you don’t feel like adding a mile to this hike, though, there is another short stroll to you take to see the lake.

To continue around Timothy Lake, make a left on the Timothy Lake Trail to begin your return trek. Pass by the much smaller North Arm Campground and continue through the a section of the trail that feels much more remote than the busy south shore. The trees are big and mossy and the lake seems quitter over here.

At 9.7 miles, you reach a trail junction with the Meditation Point campground. This small peninsula juts straight out into the lake, and there is a cool backcountry campground situated right along it. IF you would like to head to the end of this spit of land, it is only about a quarter of a mile journey. The views aren’t much different from the rest of the hike, but it is cool sitting out there.

After Meditation Point, the trail heads over Dinger Creek and then heads south towards the dam. Its only about 1.5 miles from the point back to the trailhead, so know your long sojourn is almost over. There are several good viewpoints across the lake from the western shore, so be sure to take notice of those along the way.

Directions

The reach Timothy Lake, head over Mt Hood on Highway 26 from Portland and 9 miles past the Junction with highway 35, head west on Skyline Road. If you are coming from the south, the Skyline Road Junction will be 37 miles northwest of Warm Springs. Follow Skyline Road and the sings towards Timothy Lake for 11.6 miles. There will be numerous campsites you will pass along the way, but keep heading west until you see some day use parking areas along the right side of the road near the dam.