Burnt Lake

It was a cold, clear late-October day. It was time to get outdoors and enjoy a wonderful autumn hike. The thought of waterfalls, autumn leaves and one of the prettiest lakes in the Mt. Hood Wilderness was in my mind as I drove to the 2,700-foot Burnt Lake Trailhead.

After walking through a stile I followed the well-maintained trail along Burnt Creek for several miles before crossing the Creek. Huge burnt-out cedars left as reminders of a severe forest fire in the 1800s were scattered along the Trail.

Mt. Hood

In the next one-half mile I came to Lost Creek Falls, a series of four waterfalls in a small canyon. The Trail then gained 700 feet in the next mile as it ascended the steep headwall.  Soon I reached Burnt Lake.

There were scattered clouds in the sky and a brisk breeze. I found a nice spot near the lakeshore, took off the pack and enjoyed the beautiful setting. The fresh snow on Mt. Hood and the interesting cloud formations made for a dramatic backdrop.

Due to the breeze, however, there never was a sharp reflection of Mt. Hood in the Lake on this trip. For your viewing pleasure,  I included such a photo below taken several years ago.