Oregon · Hiking · Three Sisters Wilderness

Snowshoe Lake

6.0 mi
round trip
666 ft
climb
5,251 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Sep
best months

Is Snowshoe Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Deschutes National Forest. It doesn't name Snowshoe Lake, so check the source for the area it covers (3 listed).

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

Snowshoe Lake is a 6-mile out-and-back hike in the Three Sisters Wilderness on the Bend/Fort Rock Ranger District of Oregon's Deschutes National Forest. The trail is rated hard, with a total climb of 666 feet and a steepest grade of about 7% near the start. The trail is on natural surface and allows horses. Bikes are not allowed. The route begins at about 4,990 feet, rising to about 5,251 feet before descending back. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Wickiup Dam show July highs around 83°F with lows near 47°F and only about three wet days, while winter highs sit in the low 40s with lows around 20°F. Winopee Lake and the Winopee Lake Trail #16 are both within about a mile and a half. Elk Creek is about 1.9 miles away. Big Cove Boat-In, about 3.3 miles off, is the closest campground.

Local outfitters

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

  • Best time to go · May–Sep

    Best time to visit Snowshoe Lake

    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, 17.7 mi away at 4,358 ft. The station sits about 900 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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