Memaloose Lake Hike
From Portland Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Memaloose Lake Trailhead
- End point: Memaloose Lake
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: Out and Back
- Distance: 2.6 miles out and back
- Elevation gain: 700 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: Spring through Fall
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: Yes
- Crowded: Yes
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Hike Description
Your hike begins in a majestic forest of old-growth Douglas-fir. Oxalis and vanilla leaf carpet the floor as you climb alongside Memaloose Creek. In less than a mile, you will turn away from the creek and begin switchbacking up the steep hillside to the lake basin. As you climb away from the creek, the trees start to get smaller and the understory changes to beargrass and rhododendron. When you hear the creek again, it is emerging from the lake, and you will arrive at Memaloose Lake. This is a shallow swimmable lake, ideal for cooling off in the heat of the summer.
Cross the creek again to find the official campsites, some with firepits. If you prefer a longer hike, you can find the trail to South Fork Mountain on the east side of the lake. A brushier trail heads to the west side of the lake where there are a few more viewpoints. Visit the small talus slope on the western edge of the lake to hear the resident pikas peeping.
Maps
- Maps: Hike Finder
Trip Reports
- Search Trip Reports for Memaloose Lake Hike
- 6/24/06 trip report by JimSiff
Related Discussions / Q&A
- Search Trail Q&A for Memaloose Lake Hike
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Guidebooks that cover this hike
- 100 Hikes in Northwest Oregon - by Wiliam L. Sullivan
- Best Old-Growth Forest Hikes: Washington & Oregon by John and Diane Cissel
More Links
- See more information at Describe the link here
Contributors
- CFM (creator)