Why didn't anyone tell me about this hike? Sorry Canyon Creek Meadows, you've been replaced (I'm so fickle). The hike on Trail #10 to No-Name lake on Broken Top should be mandatory information upon entering central Oregon. The road to the trail head past Todd Lake is hands-down the worst I've ever driven outside of Hawaii, but the hike itself to the most exquisite glacial lake in the state is only an hour walk, less if you're acclimated. There is only one trail junction less than a mile in - it'll be about five feet before the faded Sisters Wilderness sign that you veer right/northeast. The trail climbs gradually around the east face of Broken Top until just before Broken Hand. Then hike briefly to a notch at the top of a short snowfield, and scramble along the right hand side through the notch until you're eye level with a shimmering aqua pool. In September the lake was still 3/4 snow-covered, so I wouldn't visit any earlier. The user trail continues along the northeast side of the lake to a spectacular lookout at a cliff's edge. It takes about 15-20 more minutes to get there. The views stretch from the Three Sisters to Mount Adams. It's windy in the cirque below, and the water ripples in star bursts that spread quickly across the water. I sat in the sun and listened to snow sheets break apart and water dance, convinced that this hike is the definition of perfection.
4.5 hours from PDX, 5 miles RT. Car-camped at Devil's Lake to get an early start, which was good for both lighting and the solitude. FR 380 sucks.
Use this link for decent directions, but veer right at the junction where they veered left. Follow that trail around the mountain and up the snowfield to the notch. It's almost idiot proof.
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