Timothy Lake

For the last few years a friend of mine has come to visit every year in late June. Along with road trips, a book store run and various other adventures, we've been getting in our annual hike together. After my spill on Saddle Mountain in 2001, my friend suggested something a bit more level for our 2002 hike. So we settled on Timothy Lake.

The hike consists of a twelve mile loop around the shores of Timothy Lake. The hiker is treated to an easy path (but long) with views of the lake and Mount Hood.

Starting from Portland, drive east on Highway 26. This road will take you from Gresham, into the foothills and finally climb into the Cascade range where you will pass Government Camp and the flanks of 11,235' Mount Hood. About forty miles out of Gresham (or five miles or so East of Government Camp) you come to the intersection with Highway 35. Stay on Highway 26 as it turns sharply south. After another eight miles you will see Road 42 (Skyline Road) on the right hand side. Follow road 42 to road 58 and follow the signs to Timothy Lake. About seven or eight miles after turning off Highway 26, you should get your first view of the lake. There are various campgrounds along the southern shore and you can reach the trail from any of them.

I will include a note here about maps. Don't try to find Timothy Lake without one. An Oregon Atlas and Gazetteer is an invaluable aid for finding such out-of-the-way places. You can find one in most major book stores.

Two other notes of caution involve gas and food. Make sure you've got plenty of both before heading out on this trip. The middle of the Cascades is no place to be caught unprepared or under stocked.

By the time you park the car, you should be quite ready for a chance to stretch your legs. A leisurely hike along the lake shore is just the thing to work out the kinks. Relax and luxuriate in the clean, mountain air.

My own, personal experience with Timothy Lake was in June. We followed the lake shore to the western end where there is a dam and a log jam. We started along the northern end of the lake. It was quiet, with no boats and only the rare camper or fisherman. At an elevation of a little over 3,000' there were still patches of snow on the ground in June.

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