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Lakes Trail #1578
This trail is within the Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness and provides access to both Cliff and Buckeye Lakes. These sub-alpine lakes—along with Fish Lake—were formed approximately 6,000 years ago when the northwest face of Grasshopper Mountain collapsed, damming the flow of Fish Lake Creek and revealing dramatic, sheer cliffs where there was once forested mountainside. These cliffs are now visible from both of the lakes.
Lakes Trail #1578 can be started from either Lakes Trailhead (for a slightly longer hike) or Skimmerhorn Trailhead. From the trailheads, Lakes Trail pushes east to enter the Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness, passing junctions with Indian Trail #1573 (which heads north to Fish Lake) and Acker Divide Trail #1437 (which heads south towards Acker Divide). This area is occupied by a young forest of fir, madrone, and rhododendron, a result of the wildfire that swept through in 2002. In the spring and summer, look for wildflowers and gooseberries growing in the underbrush as you pass below stands of burnt snags.
Past these junctions, Lakes Trail continues into a dense forest, first reaching Buckeye and then Cliff Lake. From Cliff Lake the trail heads north to a junction with Grasshopper Trail #1574, and then continues northeast to tie in with Fish Lake Trail #1570, 0.5 mile above Fish Lake.
Trail elevation ranges from 4,200' at the highest point to 2,100' at the lowest. From mid to late fall and early to mid spring expect that the higher elevation portions of this trail will have snow cover.
At a Glance
| Current Conditions: | 12/28/2022: Open. Sections of the trail logged out in Summer 2022. Some snow is present on higher-elevation stretches of the trail. Snow is about three inches deep. |
|---|---|
| Open Season: | Spring - Fall |
| Usage: | Medium |
| Best Season: | Summer |
| Restrictions: | Wilderness restrictions apply within Rogue-Umpqua Divide Wilderness. |
| Closest Towns: | Tiller, OR |
| Water: | Not available. Surface water should be treated. |
| Information Center: | Tiller Ranger District |
General Information
Directions:- Lakes Trailhead
- Skimmerhorn Trailhead (for shorter access to the lakes)
Parking:
- Limited parking at Lakes Trailhead.
- More parking is available for 6-8 vehicles at nearby Fish Lake Trailhead and Skimmerhorn Trailhead. Both have plenty of parking, including for horse trailers.
Activities
Day Hiking
Recreation areas with activity Day Hiking:- Takes hikers past Buckey Lake, then Cliff Lake and ties in with the Fish Lake Trail, 0.5 mile above Fish Lake.
- Most hikers use the Skimmerhorn Trailhead which makes for a shorter journey to Buckeye and Cliff Lakes.
Backpacking
Recreation areas with activity Backpacking:- Takes hikers past Buckey Lake, then Cliff Lake and ties in with the Fish Lake Trail, 0.5 mile above Fish Lake.
- Most hikers use the Skimmerhorn Trailhead which makes for a shorter journey to Buckeye and Cliff Lakes.
| Difficulty Level: | More Difficult |
|---|
Horse Riding
Recreation areas with activity Horse Riding:- Takes hikers past Buckeye Lake, then Cliff Lake and ties in with the Fish Lake Trail, 0.5 mile above Fish Lake.
- Fish Lake Trailhead provides parking for 6 to 8 vehicles, and includes horse trailers, along with hitching rails, loading ramp, highline poles and easy access to Fish Lake Creek for stock watering.