Hike past two lakes and climb up to a trailhead and former campground at Frazier Turnaround. From there, you have several options before you–such as the popular lakes loop hike around Serene Lake and the Rock Lakes Basin (not shown on GPS track).
This new trail system was received full protection in 2009 by President Barack Obama when he signed and created the Roaring River Wilderness.
I hiked in from Hideaway Lake Campground, but it is highly recommended you begin your hike at the official Shellrock Lake Trailhead. Hideaway Lake Campground has no official trailhead for parking, so finding parking is extremely hard.
From Shellrock Lake TH, you can make the short detour down to Hideaway Lake by crossing the road and following the Shellrock Lake Trail to the south.
To head to Shellrock Lake from the trailhead, hike north on the Shellrock Lake Trailhead right from the parking area. The trail climbs gently before reaching Shellrock Lake–a popular beginner's backpacking trip. At the lake, turn right at a junction and cross the lake's outlet to stay on the right side of the lake where the campsites are. This junction is the beginning of the loop hike around the lake.
From the other end of Shellrock Lake, continue on the Shellrock Lake Trail by following signs for "Frazier Turnaround." The trail is increasingly steep, rocky, and eroded out as it climbs up the mountain towards Frazier Turnaround. Several large old growth trees grow along this section.
Once you reach the junction with Grouse Point Trail, I turned right to head down to Frazier Turnaround. Instead, if you want an epic view, turn left onto the Grouse Point Trail to head to a spectacular viewpoint of Mount Hood, Shellrock Lake, and Mount Jefferson. Take in the views where trail (former road) carves through a spectacular rocky talus slope.
At the Frazier Turnaround Trailhead, there are the remains of some old campgrounds (two to be exact), with picnic tables. From here, you can make the popular Serene Lake-Rock Lakes Basin loop hike via the Grouse Point Trail and the Serene Lake Trail.
I continued on down the road from Frazier Turnaround Trailhead (shown on the GPS track), but there isn't any views in that direction. It was under deep snow during my visit, but normally this area tends to melt out a bit sooner than other high-elevation areas.
Parking and Accessing the Trailhead
It is highly recommended you begin your hike at the official Shellrock Lake Trailhead. Hideaway Lake Campground has no official trailhead for parking, so finding parking is extremely hard. Additionally noted in a trip report by contributor Shavez00, just reaching this area can be very tricky and may require a 4-wheel / all-wheel drive vehicle to reach it: "https://youtu.be/G095VzU8lHY This is a video of Frazier Mountain Road and Indian Ridge Road (NF-240) in Mount Hood National forest. I had hiked in to Serene Lake and thought I'd make a video of what the road is like leading up to the Frazier Turnaround Trailhead. There's lots of fallen trees and the road is very rough. You will definitely need a 4WD with good ground clearance. The trail to Serene Lake is not a hard hike. When I hiked it I didn't run into another person on the drive to the trailhead or the hike in or out. You definitely should know what you're doing before you venture this route. The trail itself is fairly easy to follow although it does "disappear" at certain points so you should take a map. You will have to scamper over some fallen trees on the trail. Hopefully this video will help someone decide whether this is a hike and camping trip that they want to take on."
This new trail system was received full protection in 2009 by President Barack Obama when he signed and created the Roaring River Wilderness.
I hiked in from Hideaway Lake Campground, but it is highly recommended you begin your hike at the official Shellrock Lake Trailhead. Hideaway Lake Campground has no official trailhead for parking, so finding parking is extremely hard.
From Shellrock Lake TH, you can make the short detour down to Hideaway Lake by crossing the road and following the Shellrock Lake Trail to the south.
To head to Shellrock Lake from the trailhead, hike north on the Shellrock Lake Trailhead right from the parking area. The trail climbs gently before reaching Shellrock Lake–a popular beginner's backpacking trip. At the lake, turn right at a junction and cross the lake's outlet to stay on the right side of the lake where the campsites are. This junction is the beginning of the loop hike around the lake.
From the other end of Shellrock Lake, continue on the Shellrock Lake Trail by following signs for "Frazier Turnaround." The trail is increasingly steep, rocky, and eroded out as it climbs up the mountain towards Frazier Turnaround. Several large old growth trees grow along this section.
Once you reach the junction with Grouse Point Trail, I turned right to head down to Frazier Turnaround. Instead, if you want an epic view, turn left onto the Grouse Point Trail to head to a spectacular viewpoint of Mount Hood, Shellrock Lake, and Mount Jefferson. Take in the views where trail (former road) carves through a spectacular rocky talus slope.
At the Frazier Turnaround Trailhead, there are the remains of some old campgrounds (two to be exact), with picnic tables. From here, you can make the popular Serene Lake-Rock Lakes Basin loop hike via the Grouse Point Trail and the Serene Lake Trail.
I continued on down the road from Frazier Turnaround Trailhead (shown on the GPS track), but there isn't any views in that direction. It was under deep snow during my visit, but normally this area tends to melt out a bit sooner than other high-elevation areas.
Parking and Accessing the Trailhead
It is highly recommended you begin your hike at the official Shellrock Lake Trailhead. Hideaway Lake Campground has no official trailhead for parking, so finding parking is extremely hard. Additionally noted in a trip report by contributor Shavez00, just reaching this area can be very tricky and may require a 4-wheel / all-wheel drive vehicle to reach it: "https://youtu.be/G095VzU8lHY This is a video of Frazier Mountain Road and Indian Ridge Road (NF-240) in Mount Hood National forest. I had hiked in to Serene Lake and thought I'd make a video of what the road is like leading up to the Frazier Turnaround Trailhead. There's lots of fallen trees and the road is very rough. You will definitely need a 4WD with good ground clearance. The trail to Serene Lake is not a hard hike. When I hiked it I didn't run into another person on the drive to the trailhead or the hike in or out. You definitely should know what you're doing before you venture this route. The trail itself is fairly easy to follow although it does "disappear" at certain points so you should take a map. You will have to scamper over some fallen trees on the trail. Hopefully this video will help someone decide whether this is a hike and camping trip that they want to take on."
