20. Clear Lake

Summary

Length – 7-mile loop; 2 miles one way to viewpoint turnaround

Difficulty – Easy to moderate

Season – Spring to autumn

Elevation range –3,015 feet – 3,120 feet

Human imprint – High (hikers, boaters, highway noise); Very high near Clear Lake Resort

Information - Willamette National Forest, McKenzie River Ranger District

Primary old growth features

Mid elevation Douglas-fir old growth; lava flow old-growth.

Description

Fine old-growth conifers north of Clear Lake easily justify adding a couple of gentle miles onto the north end of a popular 5-mile loop around the lake. Aquamarine Clear Lake was formed approximately 3,000 years ago when a lava flow dammed the McKenzie River. It is well known for its clarity, attracting scuba divers interested in exploring the few pockets of a 3,000-year-old snag forest still standing underwater. A beautiful setting, easy access, and recreational developments along the lakeshore bring heavy use on summer weekends.

From the upper McKenzie River Trail parking area, head south on the McKenzie River Trail (3507) across a footbridge and immediately enter a striking old forest. Large Douglas-fir and hardy Pacific yew garnish the trailside. The Clear Lake Trail (4341) intersects the McKenzie River Trail 1 mile from the trailhead, forming the northern apex of the Clear Lake loop.

Stay left on the McKenzie River Trail across a footbridge where the entire crown of a rare, healthy, old western white pine is fully visible looking north. Continue in old forest until reaching gurgling Great Spring a quarter mile later. The trail then enters a unique form of old growth: lava-flow old growth. These amazing sentinels appear to sprout out of sheer lava, including one giant Douglas-fir over 7 feet thick adjacent to the trail. A lakeside viewpoint on the lava flow approximately 2 miles south of the northern trailhead provides a convenient turnaround point for those looking for a shorter hike.

The trail continues in and out of old growth and lava before leaving the old trees near Coldwater Cove Campground. The trail then intersects the southern end of the Clear Lake Trail approximately 2.25 miles from the northern intersection. Turn right, cross the lake outlet, and return north through mixed old forest past the resort to the trailhead.

25 years of change

The forest on the west shore of the lake is approaching old growth structure as mature trees grow larger, but is still missing a well-developed understory and large dead wood. It was great to see that old western white pine still healthy after 25 years!

How to get there

Travel the McKenzie Highway (State Route 126) approximately 76 miles northeast of Eugene (1 mile north of Clear Lake, and 2 miles south of the U.S. Highway 20/SR 126 junction) and turn east into the upper McKenzie River Trail parking area. The trail is also accessible from the Clear Lake Resort on the west shore of the lake, and from Coldwater Cove Campground on the southeast shore.