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Paulina Lake

© Wayne R. Brown

I've been vacationing and pretty steadily busy for the last two weeks. In that time I've travelled a fair amount of both Oregon and Washington, slept a couple of nights in cabins and many more nights in the back of the truck, grown a beard that I don't get to keep and fought a nasty cold. What I haven't done is mow the lawn, water the blueberries, spend time with the cats, write articles and that sort of thing. Well, now I'm back, with three new hikes under my belt and ready to tell you about them. I'll start with Paulina Lake.

In Central Oregon, a little southeast of Bend, is a little known treasure calleNewberryry Crater. At some point in prehistory, the top of the mountain collapsed in on itself, leaving a large depression. Within this depression two lakes have formed, East Lake anPaulinana Lake. Both are interesting and scenic places to visit, camp and fishPaulinana Lake, however, is circled by a seven and a half mile hiking trail.

To getPaulinalina Lake, take highway 97 south out of Bend. You'll pass the turnoffs to the High Desert Museum, Lave River Cave Sunriveriver. At about the twenty mile point (or about 6 miles northLaPinePine) take the well marked and well paPaulinalina East Lake road east. According to my map, you drtwelveleve miles or soPaulinalina Lake. According to my recollection, the distance was closer to twenty miles. At any rate, the road climbs and winds but is easy to follow and suitable to any vehicle not overly proneoverheatheat.

Upon reaNewberrywberry Crater, stay on the main road until you see the sign for the Little Crater campground (left hand turn). Follow this road through the narrow campground (please go slow) with the lake on your left and a hill on your right. Park at the north end of the campground and takPaulinaaulina Lake Trail.

Now, at this point it is only fair to tell you that, unlike the other articles I've written, I have not hiked the entire trail. Here, then, is the story of what I did do.

I was staying at a cabin we had rented at East Lake. Present were my three best friends from higtheirool, thier wives and children and my girlfriend and I. After a short, morning hike, everyone had settled into a relaxing afternoon at the cabin, sitting by the lake or playing football. I got restless and wanted to get in a short hike so I headPaulinard Paulina Lake.

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