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Oregon Wild Hikes: Memaloose Lake
Memaloose Lake is part of the Lewis and Clark Mount Hood Wilderness Proposal
Difficulty: Easy (Easy to Moderate if continuing to South Fork Mountain)
Distance: 2.6 miles round trip (about 4.5 miles to the top of South Fork Mountain)
Elevation Gain: 650 feet
Season: spring, summer, fall
About the Hike
The first part of this hike, to Memaloose Lake, is great for families. The distance to the lake is just over a mile and hikers are rewarded with a stunning old-growth forest and lake teeming with salamanders! Please do note the trail can be a bit rocky and, depending on the time of year, hikers must cross three to four small streams.
For a bit more of a challenge (and more views), continue past up past the lake. This trail is off to the left and takes hikers to the top of South Fork Mountain. This trail is easily confused with the trail that goes around the lake, so if you're going to the top, stay to your left. From the top of South Fork Mountain, spectacular views abound of Mount Hood, Mount Jefferson, Mount Adams and Mount St. Helens and even Mount Rainier!
The Dirt
Oregon Wild and other conservation groups are currently working to gain Wilderness protection for the Memaloose Lake area as part of the Lewis and Clark Mount Hood Wilderness proposal. Wilderness protection would forever safeguard the land from logging, mining, and other development while preserving the public’s right to enjoy backcountry recreation.
Directions
Drive out highway 224 toward Estacada (easy access to 224 from I-205 near Oregon City; it's signed). Drive past Estacada staying on 224 and following signs toward Upper Clackamas River. Drive past the North Fork Reservoir, and turn right on Memaloose Road (you'll cross a bridge over the Clackamas River). This puts you on USFS road 45, which is a paved road but is bumpy at times. Road 45 will take you to the trail head for Memaloose Lake. The only tricky turn is road 45 makes a sharp forty-five degree turn to the right (staying on a paved road). The last section of road 45 before the trail head is a well maintained dirt road. The trail head is on the left, you'll see places to pull off and park, there's camping on the right side and an ugly clear cut in front of you.