20
Oct
2013
jloomis

Green Lake Hike - Mt Hood National Forest, Oregon

My friend John and I decided we were due for a camping trip and took advantage of the nice weather this weekend. We planned to camp on Barlow Creek near Barlow Crossing Campground after first going on a short hike to Green Lake (not to be confused with Green Lakes in Central Oregon). Green Lake is located in the Mt Hood National Forest to the East and just below Frog Lake Buttes. Green Lake is near Catalpa Lake, but about half the size. It is reached by a short quarter mile trail off spur road 250 near its end. The trail is not marked and hard to find if you don't know where it is, but it is easy enough to bushwhack down to the lake as well. From Frog Lake, drive down forest road 2610 and take a left onto spur road 250. There is a small turnaround at the end of the road at the top of a large clearcut.

There are great views from the road of Mt Jefferson and the top of Mt Hood. The area does not look like it gets very much use and we were the only ones around Saturday morning.

Overlooking a Clearcut with Mt Jefferson in the Background     Mt Hood Peeking Out

The trail to Green Lake starts back down the road in the trees out of the clearcut. It is a quick and gentle downhill hike to the small shallow lake. We didn't see signs of other humans visiting the area, but did observe tons of elk prints and fresh scat. It would have been really exciting to see elk around Green Lake.

Reflections in Green Lake     Green Lake - Mt Hood National Forest, Oregon

It was relaxing hiking around Green Lake, exploring the peaceful surroundings. This would be a fun place to go on a short backpacking trip, but I imagine the mosquitoes might be bad in the summer. I'll have to come back in the winter on snowmobile and see what it looks like blanketed in snow.

Shallow Green Lake     Quiet and Peaceful Green Lake
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