3 miles of hiking • 500' elevation gain •
There are so many Lost Lakes. This is the one just off highway 20 just west of Santiam Pass. It has a fascinating natural phenomenon. The lake actually drains INTO two lava tubes on the north side. I've been here three different times, with varying water levels. The first time was in 2015(first pic). Today you could see the lava tubes, but they didn't have the waterfall effect. After visiting the lake, I climbed up to the adjacent little volcano that abuts the highway. When I dropped into the forested crater, all sounds of the traffic disappeared and I felt like I had entered the "Land of the Lost". Was also attacked by huge swarms of wee beasties. Had to don the bug baffler which I carry with me June July and August for just such occasions.
