Gibson Lake Loop Hike

Overview

NOTICE: Trails in this area were affected by the 2020 Lionshead Fire. Please check current closures in the Mt. Hood National Forest before planning an outing. This gentle loop takes you through the southernmost section of the Olallie Lake Scenic Area and onto the Warm Springs Indian Reservation. You will pass a couple of good viewpoints on your way to secluded Gibson Lake and then will visit mostly closed-off Breitenbush Lake, with its historic campground and shelter. While the trailhead at Horseshoe Lake is on public land, once you reach Gibson Lake and then Breitenbush Lake, please obey all signs and keep to the trails and road. The return is via the Pacific Crest Trail, which offers grand views back to Mount Jefferson and down the North Fork Breitenbush River valley. Note that getting to the Horseshoe Saddle Trailhead requires decent clearance. If you do not have high clearance, park near Monon Lake at the Monon Lake Trailhead, and walk the road to the Horseshoe Saddle Trailhead. You can also make this a shorter loop, eliminating the Horseshoe Saddle Trail section, by beginning the hike at the Breitenbush Lake Trailhead: this comes to about 4 1/2 miles. Hike past the trailhead sign and make a right at a junction. Reach the shore of Horseshoe Lake at a sign commemorating Howard M. “Rondy” Rondthaler, a former trails supervisor for the Mt. Hood National Forest. The trail skirts the shore among mountain hemlock, noble fir, and silver fir with an understory of huckleberry bushes. Pass three small tarns covered with bur-reed on your left and drop past a meadow to cross a small gully. Note a few large mountain hemlocks in the shady forest here. Veer right to rise up the slope along a seasonal stream among white rhododendrons and huckleberries. Reach the Pacific Crest-Horseshoe Saddle Trail Junction, and go left. Hike south along the Pacific Crest Trail. After 200 yards, come to the Pacific Crest-Gibson Lake Trail Junction, and go left on the latter. The Gibson Lake Trail is an unmaintained trail that follow

Trail Stats

Photos

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