Page Type: | Mountain/Rock |
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Lat/Lon: | 45.49587°N / 121.79588°W |
County: | Hood River |
Activities: | Hiking |
Season: | Spring, Summer, Fall |
Elevation: | 4468 ft / 1362 m |
Although there is nothing spectacular or difficult about the hike to the top of this small peak in the northern Oregon Cascades, the payoff comes once you reach the summit and take advantage of it's nearest neighbor to the southeast, Mount Hood. Lost Lake Butte is a well-known recreational destination to Portlanders and is the site of many a historical photograph of Hood. The 167 foot deep lake itself has one of the largest campgrounds in Northwest Oregon but a lot of work has gone into restoring the overused lakeshore (per Sullivan's guidebook) by adding a half-mile long boardwalk and indeed, the trail around the lake is a beautiful 3.4 mile walk with amazing views of Hood reflected in the waters.
The Hood River Indians called the lake E-e-kwahl-a-mat-yam-Ishkt and it means "heart of the mountains." The current name comes supposedly from an 1880 expedition of white men who had trouble finding it. The men, in the tradition of most men who are proud about their routefinding, proclaimed it was not they who were lost but the lake! From its shores, it's an easy 1.9 mile hike with 1330 feet of elevation to the summit which is an old lookout site. Link Here for an old photograph taken when the lookout existed. The view south is as close as a peak gets to Cathedral Ridge on Hood. As you look around, you can see part of Lost Lake to the west and Adams and Rainier are up north.
The hardest thing about Lost Lake Butte is getting there (see below) but this makes for a great family hike and if you want more hiking once you come down from the summit, enjoy the trail around the lake. When you are done with that you can paddle around the lake as well. This one is just pure relaxation and enjoyment.