Oregon · Hiking · Three Sisters Wilderness

Lake Side

5.0 mi
loop
94 ft
climb
5,103 ft
high point
Loop
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Lake Side open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Willamette National Forest. It doesn't name Lake Side, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · Willamette National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Lake Side is a 5-mile hike in Oregon's Three Sisters Wilderness, within the McKenzie River Ranger District of the Willamette National Forest. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail is a natural-surface route that allows horses but not bikes. The hike starts at about 5,097 feet and reaches a high point of 5,103 feet, with a total elevation gain of 94 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about 1.3 miles in, where the grade reaches 15 percent. The route is rated moderate. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Wickiup Dam weather station show July highs around 83°F with only about three wet days, while winter highs sit near 40°F. That station sits roughly 750 feet lower than the trail, so temperatures on the hike run cooler. Porky Lake and Mink Lake are both within a mile, and Goose Lake is about 1.3 miles away. For paddling, the South Fork McKenzie River is about 4.9 miles off.

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Lake Side

    Best months: May–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      40° / 21°

      13 wet

    2. Feb

      43° / 22°

      11 wet

    3. Mar

      48° / 26°

      12 wet

    4. Apr

      54° / 30°

      10 wet

    5. May

      63° / 36°

      9 wet

    6. Jun

      71° / 42°

      6 wet

    7. Jul

      83° / 47°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      82° / 46°

      3 wet

    9. Sep

      75° / 38°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      62° / 31°

      8 wet

    11. Nov

      46° / 26°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      38° / 21°

      13 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Wickiup Dam, OR, 20.5 mi away at 4,358 ft. The station sits about 700 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

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