Paradise Park via Burnt Lake Hike

Overview

There are easier ways to get to Paradise Park - from Timberline Lodge or on the Paradise Park Trail - but if you're looking for a long hike on a trail with few people (once you pass Burnt Lake), try this. Also, in the early summer, when there is too much snow to go from Timberline Lodge, this route might work. You'll pass a waterfall, stop at a serene mountain lake, and get splendid ridge top views from wildflower meadows before hiking up through montane forest to reach Paradise Park. The Burnt Lake Trail #772 begins wide and gentle on an old road track in a lush forest that was burned over in the late 19th century. Start to the right of the trail sign, where you pass through a stile. The principal tree cover here is Douglas-fir, western hemlock, silver fir and vine maple. Review the map board and sign in at the wilderness permit box. Burnt Lake Creek runs down to the right and is shaded by red-cedar. Large, scorched stumps, mainly cedars, are all that remain of the magnificent old-growth forest. Lady fern, devil's club, sword fern, starry solomon plume, oxalis, and bunchberry form a lush groundcover. Gradually ascend. A spur to the right leads down to a tributary of Burnt Lake Creek. Cross the creek after this and round another large cedar snag. Then cross several small creeks using plank walks. Another spur to the left leads down into the Lost Creek valley to a campsite and views from the top of multi-tiered Lost Creek Falls. To get a head-on view of the falls requires more of a scramble and bushwhack to the creek bed. The trail switchbacks up from here and makes a traverse, crossing a creek and then becoming a long gradual ascent. Brooklets gush from springs above the trail. The path dips to cross a creek reeking of skunk-cabbage. The trail crosses a plank bridge and enters a Sitka alder clearing. Cross Burnt Lake Creek and head up to Burnt Lake, keeping right. At a spot marked B, No Camping Here, one can go left to the shore and get a classic view of Mount Hood reflected in the still waters. The montane

Trail Stats

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