Sky Lakes Wilderness: Fremont-Winema

Congress designated Sky Lakes Wilderness in 1984 which now maintains 113,849 acres. It includes three major lake basins as it stretches along the crest of the volcanic Cascade Mountains from the border of Crater Lake National Park on the north to State Highway 140 in the south: Seven Lakes, Sky Lakes, and Blue Canyon basins. All of southern Oregon seems to lie at your feet from the rugged summit of volcano Mount McLoughlin (9,495’), and then extends out northward into Sky Lakes' broad plateau-like ridges, dotted with many lakes.
You'll find creeks and ice-cold springs, grassy meadows, and scores of clear sub-alpine lakes. Several of the lakes were found, by 1980s-90s Environmental Protection Agency baseline study of acid-rain conditions in Western U.S. mountain lakes, to have among the most chemically pure water known of all lakes on the globe. Most of the area's lakes, some of them stocked with game fish, are set against a backdrop of tall trees that reach to the edge of the lakeshore.
An overall high-elevation forest consisting largely of Shasta red fir, western white pine, and mountain hemlock yields to lodgepole pine around many of the lakes, as well to moisture-loving Engelmann spruce here and there. Hardy, long-lived whitebark pines are found near the summits of Mt. McLoughlin and Devil's Peak. The forest's understory is dominated by species of huckleberry, as well as manzanita, snowbrush, and heather.
Elk herds spend much of the summer and early fall in the northern third of the region. The entire area supports roving populations of pine martens and fishers, black bears, cougars, coyotes, as well as pikas and golden-mantled ground squirrels and other species of wildlife. During October and November, migrating birds pass over in the hundreds of thousands, often stopping at the high lakes. Ospreys regularly visit Sky Lakes to try their luck at fishing. Swarms of mosquitoes hatch from snowmelt until mid-August.
Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail passes the entire length of the area north-south for about 35 miles, but much of the route is well away from water sources. Use is heavy in the three main lake basins which are popular fishing, hiking, and camping destinations.
Please follow regulations and use Leave No Trace techniques to protect this unique area.
- Key access points: Trailhead and trail information
At a Glance
Usage: | Medium |
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Restrictions: | Wilderness regulations apply.
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Closest Towns: | Klamath Falls, OR; Medford, OR; Ashland, OR; Prospect, OR; Butte Falls, OR |
Operated By: | Forest Service |
Information Center: |
General Information
Directions:The 1888-inscribed "Waldo Tree," at the southeast shore of Island Lake is a draw for visitors, as is the hike along the route of a 1860s-1890s military wagon road, on the present Twin Ponds Trail. Climbing Mt. McLoughlin is popular but a very strenuous summer day-hike.
Trailheads and trails that access Sky Lakes Wilderness at Fremont-Winema National Forest
- Cherry Creek Traihead - Cherry Creek Trail #3708
- Cold Spring Trailhead - Cold Springs Trail 3710, South Rock Creek Trail #3709
- Fourmile Lake Trailhead - Badger Lake Trail 3759, Pacific Crest Trail #2000
- Summit Sno Park/ Trailhead - Pacific Crest Trail #2000
- Mt. McLoughlin Trailhead - Mt. McLoughlin Trail #3716
- Nannie Creek Trailhead - Nannie Creek Trail #3707
- Sevenmile Equestrian Trailhead Horse Camp - Sevenmile Trail #3703
- Sevenmile Marsh Trailhead - Sevenmile Trail #3703
Other trails within Sky Lakes Wilderness at Fremont-Winema National Forest
See also:
General Notes:
Topo maps
Crystal Spring, Devils Peak, Imnaha Creek, Lake of the Woods North, Maklaks Crater, Mares Egg Spring, Mount McLoughlin, Pelican Butte, Red Blanket Mountain, Rustler Peak, Union Peak. Download free U.S. Forest Service Topo maps.
Buy maps online
Go to the USGS Store.
Wilderness.net
Go to Wilderness.net for online maps and other important Wilderness information.