This is a easy loop hike around the lake, incorporating the Old Growth section above the east side of the lake. You can also just take the lakeside loop trail instead, if you'd rather follow the lake closely through this section. However, I would recommend incorporating the old growth trail section as it is a great boardwalk with interpretive signs and is a quite scenic stretch of forest you won't want to miss.
This loop is also a fantastic hike for small kids to do, never getting hard and the elevation gain is basically nothing if you just do the lakeside loop trail (doing the Old Growth Trail will add about 100 ft of elevation gain, which isn't much either really). The Lost Lake Loop trail does a fantastic job of following the lake edge. From the north end of the lake, there are some day use viewpoints and wooden deck overlooks, where you can get postcard views of Mount Hood gleaming across the lake. In fact, this is supposedly said to be the most photographed spot in all of Oregon! If you go in June, you will also be treated to beautiful Pacific Rhododendrons, putting on a show of pink. Despite the trail getting so close to the lake and passing a number of boggy areas (usually alongside boardwalks or wooden bridges), I never saw a single mosquito on my hike through here in late June, despite all the wet boggy ground.
Trailhead Parking: You can either park at the Resort (and pay the day use fee), or you can park at the Old Skyline Trail trailhead just before the campground and resort entrance station. You can also access the loop via the Huckleberry Mountain trailhead and take the Lost Lake Vista Trail connector to reach the lake loop on the southern end of the lake. We started the hike from the campground itself, so the start location of this map will only apply if you are starting from Loop C!
This loop is also a fantastic hike for small kids to do, never getting hard and the elevation gain is basically nothing if you just do the lakeside loop trail (doing the Old Growth Trail will add about 100 ft of elevation gain, which isn't much either really). The Lost Lake Loop trail does a fantastic job of following the lake edge. From the north end of the lake, there are some day use viewpoints and wooden deck overlooks, where you can get postcard views of Mount Hood gleaming across the lake. In fact, this is supposedly said to be the most photographed spot in all of Oregon! If you go in June, you will also be treated to beautiful Pacific Rhododendrons, putting on a show of pink. Despite the trail getting so close to the lake and passing a number of boggy areas (usually alongside boardwalks or wooden bridges), I never saw a single mosquito on my hike through here in late June, despite all the wet boggy ground.
Trailhead Parking: You can either park at the Resort (and pay the day use fee), or you can park at the Old Skyline Trail trailhead just before the campground and resort entrance station. You can also access the loop via the Huckleberry Mountain trailhead and take the Lost Lake Vista Trail connector to reach the lake loop on the southern end of the lake. We started the hike from the campground itself, so the start location of this map will only apply if you are starting from Loop C!
