Oregon · Hiking

Summit Lake

18.8 mi
round trip
2,084 ft
climb
6,249 ft
high point
Out and back
route
May–Oct
best months

Is Summit Lake open right now?

Closure in the area

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

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

Summit Lake is a hard hike in Oregon's Deschutes National Forest, within the Crescent Ranger District. The trail is 18.8 miles long, with a total elevation gain of 2,084 feet, and it is an out-and-back route that reaches a high point of 6,249 feet. The climb is steady, and the steepest stretch comes at about 6.3 miles, where the grade reaches 16 percent. The trail is on natural surface, and it is open to both horses and bikes. The Forest Service manages the land, and the route is open year-round. Plan for about 7.5 hours on the trail. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station at Odell Lake, which sits about 1,400 feet lower, show July and August highs in the low 70s with only a few wet days a month. Winter brings highs in the mid-30s and regular snow days. Snell Lake is about 1.3 miles away, and Diamond Peak Trail #3699 and Crater Butte are each about 2.2 miles off. For an overnight stay, Timpanogas Lake Campground is about 3.9 miles away.

  • Best time to go · May–Oct

    Best time to visit Summit Lake

    Best months: May–October. 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

      35° / 20°

      14 wet · 10 snow

    2. Feb

      38° / 21°

      13 wet · 9 snow

    3. Mar

      42° / 24°

      14 wet · 8 snow

    4. Apr

      46° / 28°

      11 wet · 4 snow

    5. May

      55° / 34°

      9 wet · 1 snow

    6. Jun

      63° / 38°

      6 wet

    7. Jul

      73° / 44°

      3 wet

    8. Aug

      74° / 42°

      3 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 36°

      5 wet

    10. Oct

      55° / 30°

      9 wet · 1 snow

    11. Nov

      41° / 26°

      14 wet · 6 snow

    12. Dec

      34° / 20°

      15 wet · 10 snow

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Odell Lake-East, OR, 9.3 mi away at 4,800 ft. The station sits about 1,400 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.