Donate
Calendar

Past Activity

Golden Lake

  • Start date: 06/24/2026

  • Start time: 7:00 AM

  • End date: 06/24/2026

  • End time: 7:00 PM

Description:

This is my favorite hike in the Three Sisters area, as it has everything: flower-covered meadows, mountain streams, great swimming lakes, waterfalls, and amazing mountain views, but it will cost you in effort, as you'll need to hike through miles of the Pole Creek burn area plus scramble over fallen trees, wade through mountain streams, and negotiate miles of cross-country terrain. Because of the drive and long hike, this will be an all-day event, so don't plan on getting home early. We'll be stopping in Sisters for dinner after the hike. For a slide show put together by Esme Greer from our 2022 hike, follow this link:
https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fo/pcjshxkifw7ztxmjvt859/AFvSk3hctoyy1skdQP22J0A?rlkey=szgpn4j8w4nvsopuxqvcshwq4&st=luwizt12&dl=0

NOTE: There is a $1 per person charge for the wilderness permit.

Photo by: Steve Johnson

  • Event Leader: Steven Johnson

  • Event Leader Phone: +15415202470

  • Event Leader Email: stevenj7675@gmail.com

  • Assistant Leader:

  • Event category: Trips

  • Area Type: Mountain

  • Departure Location: Behind McDonalds, 57th and Main in Springfield

  • Rating: Difficult

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 225

  • Season:

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: Lunch, water, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, water shoes, and ten essentials.

  • participant prerequisites: Please be in good shape for this one.

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance: 15

  • Member Fees: —

  • Elevation Gain: 1500

  • Non-Member Fees: 8

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

I almost canceled this hike as the weather forecast was calling for high temperatures, making this already difficult and exposed hike possibly dangerous. Surprisingly we ended up with mostly cloudy skies and a cool breeze, giving us the perfect hiking weather for this gorgeous hike. It was a challenging day with miles of trekking through flower-draped meadows, numerous stream crossings, and spectacular mountain views, finishing with a cool but refreshing swim in Golden Lake before our last stretch through the Pole Creek burn to finish this 15-mile trek.