Name: Green Lakes
Start: 2024-10-19T06:30:00-07:00
End: 2024-10-19T08:30:00-07:00

Past Activity

Green Lakes

Start date: 10/19/2024
Start time: 6:30 AM
End date: 10/19/2024
End time: 8:30 AM

Description:

This very pretty 11.25 hike has all the iconic Oregon features you love - trail meandering along a creek, waterfalls, lakes, diverse landscapes and splendid mountain views. Optional loop around the lakes or relax on the shore. We'll enjoy a moderate pace, to give us time for exploring, enjoying the lakes, and taking pictures.

Just a word to the wise - you may have heard the rumor that an Obsidian broke their leg falling off a log while trying to cross the creek on this trail. The rumor is true! So if you have concerns about balancing on a log to cross over, just bring an extra pair of socks and plan on wading. It's only water.

The drive is long but suitable for all vehicle types - 245 miles RT = $26.95

Event Leader: Kathie Carpenter
Event Leader Phone: 541-505-2370
Event Leader Email: kathiec@uoregon.edu
Assistant Leader:
Event category: Trips
Area Type: Mountain
Departure Location: Lane Community College, parking lot nearest stoplight
Rating: Difficult
Roundtrip total drive miles: 245
Season: 2024
Permits Required:
- Wilderness Area
- NW Forest Pass
Event Status: Passed
Supplies and Equipment Required: Layers! It will be cold in the morning, but should warm up on the trail. Poles if you use them, lunch, etc. Extra socks. Water shoes if you want to go in (Brrrr!)
participant prerequisites:
Conditions:
Total Distance: 11.5
Member Fees: —
Elevation Gain: 1760
Non-Member Fees: 5
Committee: Trips
Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

We dodged a bullet for sure with the weather on this hike. Several participants emailed me asking if I was going to cancel because of the weather forecast, and the snow was still fresh and the skies overcast when we started out. But by the time we reached the first Green Lake, the sun was shining, the sky was blue and the mountains were showing off their spectacular beauty. We lunched at the foot of South Sister, and got clear views of Broken Top, Mt. Bachelor and Middle Sister. The air was so clear that part of the group wanted to climb South Sister right then and there, but I vetoed that. I think that they were only joking ... The whole group went for the bonus loop around the largest of the Green Lakes, to see the springwater gushing from the base of South Sister, bringing our total hiking distance to 11.3 miles. <br /><br />
<br /><br />
Nobody was thrilled with the 6:30 departure time from Eugene, but it turned out to work perfectly. We were able to park in the parking lot at the trailhead, and we had the trail almost to ourselves on the way up. By the time we returned, the trail was crowded with daytrippers from Bend and their dogs, and the overflow parking extended out onto the highway. We were back home by 6 PM, even with a detour to see the elk calving ground in Oakridge, and the sighting of a young bull elk was the perfect postscript to a wonderful day.