No Name Lake
-Trail Name: No Name Lake
-Enter/Exit Point: Broken Top Trailhead (high clearance vehicle and NW Forest Pass required)
-Trail Type: In-and-Out
-Difficulty Level: Moderate
-Distance: 5 miles
-Elevation: 1200’
-Guide: https://www.hikeoregon.net/no-name-lake.html#google_vignette
-Review: I have seen pictures of No Name Lake for many many years after seeing Hike Oregons video on YouTube. The beautiful opal colored waters looked enticing but the difficult to access trailhead which is on a limited access (due to time of year and snow conditions) highway meant it was at the back of my to-do list for years. Thankfully the stars aligned and I was able to obtain the proper Central Cascades Wilderness Permit to day hike this beautiful trail. The 5 mile road to the trailhead does require a high clearance vehicle, probably doable in 2WD but 4x4 makes it easier, but you a rewarded within the first .25 miles of hiking with expansive views of Broken Top in front of you and Mt Bachelor behind you. The trail then begins to climb in earnest and I had to stop a few times to catch my breath and admire the hike. You cross a few small streams which were easy to rock hop when I hiked in September. There were a handful of hikers out on my Friday hike and I imagine it is more “crowded” on a weekend but due to the limited entry I doubt it would ever seem that busy.
The final climb up to the lake has very loose soil and rock but you are quickly rewarded with a breathtaking view of the lake. There are trails around both sides of lake that lead to beautiful spots to sit and relax or if the weather is warm enough, access the lake to cool down. There are trails that lead to view points up above the lake that I did not explore on this hike but do lead to some epic views of the lake and the Three Sisters. The hike down is much quicker but the drive out can take some time due to the rough conditions and need to pull over when oncoming cars approach. Take your time and get your permit, but get out here and hike to this stunning lake. Cheers!
-Rating: Come Back!
Rating Guide:
-Gram it: Check out the pictures on Instagram because this one is not worth seeing in person
-Hike it: It’s short and sweet. Might as well knock it out in a day
-Bag it: Pack a bag and spend the night
-Bring a friend: Easy enough to bring a friend. Maybe this is where you can introduce someone to backpacking.
-Come Back: I will keep doing this trip it’s so good.
