The third, and what turned out to be final day, of our trip around Cowhorn Mountain was originally going to be a 10 mile hike moving our camp near Indigo Lake on the west side of the Cascade Crest to the Windy Lakes on the east side.
Our, features all the best hikes and outdoor activities for while youre here. We also saw the only deer wed encounter on the entire trip along this section when a doe and her fawn ran down a gully toward seasonal Bradley Creek. The trail was forested but there were occasional views of Sawtooth Mountain across the valley we were circling. Fishing Location Type: Lake, Douglas County Bays (25) As we rested we watched busy birds and butterflies along the lakes sandy shore. We had gone around the lake clockwise and near the end of the loop we came to the lakes now dry outlet creek. One is via the. They were smaller, shallower, and ringed mostly with grasses and reeds. Along the way, depending on the season, wildflowers greet you along the trail. Bachelor behind Maiden Peak. is a great idea! We arrived at Oldenburg Lake just after 2:30 having traveled the final 3 miles in about an hour. Happy Trails! It is available in two sizes and in five fish-attracting colors as well as a clear ready-to-paint version. Beyond Sawtooth Mountain was Cowhorn Mountain which we had climbed the previous day. The peninsula prompted me to look at the GPS again and I noticed that we were getting pretty close to our next trail junction and wed only passed two lakes not the three we were expecting. So. Copyright 2022 Lake-Link Inc. All rights reserved. As we approached the lake shown on the GPS the Windy Lake Trail was shown on the map on the opposite side. Check out our Fishing Times chart to determine when the fish will be most active. We chose to go around Sawtooth Mountain in a clockwise direction. The route headed to the left along a scree field below the mountains craggy summit. Kick off your boots and stay a while. The emerald-green water, left behind by a glacier, is worthy of a visit for the photo op alone. The next lakes up were Suzanne and Darlene. At the far end of the ridge was a patch of western pasque flowers. We followed the Lake Shore Trail for .4 miles to the Timpanogas Shelter. After passing a narrow chute filled with loose rock we scrambled up to the summit from the NW side. After passing East Windy Lake and the correctly identified Middle Windy Lake we came to the campsite where we had first stepped onto the Windy Lakes Trail and continued into the forest. If we turned right (south) on the Pacific Crest Trail it would be about than 5 miles to our car, but we turned left and headed north. "River was stocked with Rainbow Trout the week of April 14. It was just under a half mile to South Windy Lake from the campsite. Depending on weather conditions, some" Fall River, "There are actually too many brook trout in Crawfish Lake. Our comfortable rooms are the perfect respite from a long hike to Emerald Lake. The Windy Lakes were below the ridge to the east and we were gaining better views of them each time we reached the ridge.
We walked back up to the junction and turned left onto what was now an old roadbed leading to the trailhead. Sections of the trail were also lined with colorful huckleberry bushes. 
The summit of Cowhorn Mountain was visible over the forest on the far side of the lake. Thielsen, Mt. 
We left the lake and returned to the Indigo Extension Trail which we took uphill to the junction with the Windy Pass Trail. That would have left us about 11 miles from our car for the final days hike out. We passed Middle and East Windy Lakes once again and then turned right following a pointer for Oldenburg Lake at a 3-way junction. It had been growing increasingly cloudy which was something we had been keeping our eyes on. You can trust our expertise to lead you to the best visit to the Utah Valley youve ever had! After a brief stop at one of the picnic tables along Indigo Lake we made our way back up to our campsite where we had dinner and watched the sky change colors as the sunset. I had already begun rethinking that in the days before we started out because wed likely be at the Windy Lakes before 1pm which would mean wed be hanging around that group of lakes for half of the day when we could have been shortening the distance for our final day.
The PCT traveled along the Cascade Crest offering some big views in all directions as the trial occasionally switched sides along the ridge. We would have preferred reaching South Windy Lake first because we planned on visiting it in any event and it would have been out of the way to head there from Middle Windy Lake. We climbed for .7 miles back to the junction where we had taken the June/Indigo Tie Trail then continued on the Indigo Lake Trail an additional 1.2 miles uphill to Indigo Lake. To make things just a little more challenging there was a small rock spire toward the end of the narrow section to navigate around. McLoughlin. Anyone interested in fishing Timpanogas Lake or nearby fishing Lakes should consult with guides and other local resources before heading out to fish. I was too busy enjoying the scenery of the lake though to pay much attention to a trail to nowhere though. We turned uphill on this trail and climbed nearly 600 in just over a mile to the Windy Pass Trail. The 15-mile out-and-back trails offer some of the best views in the Wasatch Mountains. So, when you take one of the trails to Emerald Lake on the way up to Mount Timpanogos, youre in for an incredible experience. Wed seen it on the way up but it had run off as we approached but now it didnt seem to be too worried about us. To be honest it was the least impressive of the lakes wed visited on the trip so far but Heather did see some good sized fish swimming in the water. Despite this peak being 350 shorter than Cowhorn Mountain we felt the views were a bit better. We would let our bodies and the time of day decide when it was time to stop. It also had a nice looking peninsula which was a little odd because we remembered from the maps that East Windy Lake had peninsula. Hiking in the Wasatch Mountains can be a rewarding and beautiful experience. to book your stay. I scrolled the display back up to the where it showed the end of the Windy Lakes Trail and zoomed in to find that instead of showing a lake the map had the area labeled as a marsh. The downhill meant more climbing to get to the 7301 summit so we werent overly thrilled as we continued to lose elevation. We took a short break on a log at Darlene Lake but it was only just now after 1:00pm and Oldenburg Lake was less than 4 miles away so we sallied forth. It was narrow enough that there was a moment of hesitation before stepping out and heading across. We were in a zone and making good time when a pair of grouse startled us. Indigo Lake lay almost directly below and several mountains that we had not been able to see from Cowhorn Mountain were visible from this summit. The trail began a series of sections where it would switchback down through the forest on the west side of the crest before popping out at a viewpoint along the ridge. Timpanogas Lake Oregon fishing map and location information: Timpanogas Lake is a Lake in Douglas County, Oregon and can be found on the Cowhorn Mountain USGS topo map. The Three Sisters, Broken Top and Mt. We decided to go around the southern end of the lake to meet up with the trail closer to its end. The trail really steepened in very loose dirt below an interesting pillar, where we also got a good look our goal, which we had now worked our way around. If its a hike youre looking for in the Provo area, then youre in luck! Exploring the Pacific NW one step at a time. Hiking and Fishing at Emerald Lake in Utah, You will Love the Beautiful Views at Canyon Glen Park, Restaurants in Downtown Provo You Need to Try. We found the .4 mile scramble trail to the summit a very short distance after climbing past the pillar. , were the experts on local things to do! We walked around the lake stopping on the far side to sit on some rocks along the shore. The 33.1 mile Middle Fork Trail follows the Middle Fork Willamette River from the Sand Prairie Campgound near Hills Creek Reservoir near Oakridge up to the trailhead near Timpanogas Lake. Then. After passing an unnamed lake we arrived at a second 3-way junction where we once again turned right ignoring the pointer for the Spring Trail. On the way back to the Windy Pass Trail we spotted a marmot foraging in the dirt. Adrenaline Junkie? The GPS coordinates for this Lake are 43.4119525 (latitude), -122.1138258 (longitude) and the approximate elevation is 5,276 feet (1,608 meters) above sea level. Please remember to check with the local Fish and Wildlife department to ensure the stream is open to the public. and see for yourself the kind of comfort you can afford! There were a couple of established tent sites here but it was still too early in the day for us to want to stop so we continued to Darlene Lake which was only a quarter mile away. Take either of these for a hike that, while challenging, offers gorgeous views and the chance to visit Emerald Lake. Just beyond the shelter were signs for the Start OWillamette Trail. We took the Indigo Extension Trail down to Indigo Lake then followed the Indigo Lake Trail nearly 2 miles to the trailhead near the Timpanogas Lake Campground. Latitude: 43.4119525N The first tenth of a mile or so was an easy to follow dirt path along a ridge. From the junction we needed to follow the Windy Pass Trail for 2.7 miles to the Cowhorn Traverse Trail where we had come down from the Pacific Crest Trail two days before. We used the GPS to make sure we were staying on the right heading and were quickly approaching a lake. If youre in for an angling adventure, the hike up makes this a noteworthy fishing spot. We said goodbye to the little lake we had been staying at and set off a little before 7am. Not far from Darlene Lake a light rain began to fall. We stopped for a moment to ponder what might have once been on a small signboard that was nearby. According to the maps we had there was no official trail leading to them. Be safe up there! Bailey, and Sawtooth Mountain to the south, Mt. The climb up Sawtooth Mountain was not as steep as the climb up Cowhorn Mountain had been but it had its own challenges. Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/9319235@N02/albums/72157672828693740. When you get to Emerald Lake in Utah, the striking blue-green water will intrigue you. Approximately 1.2 miles after starting back on the Windy Pass Trail we came to a junction with the Sawtooth Mountain Trail. The lake is one of the most beautiful bodies of water in the Wasatch Mountains, and it offers a unique opportunity for fishing, as well. We located the Windy Lakes Trail near a campsite at the SE end of the lake and turned left hiking along the lake. We dont know why the map (Google is the same) didnt show the actual lake but we knew it was there having seen it from the PCT. We were soon on our way home. In any event wed seen it and now had our lakes properly identified so now we could continue our loop. The Bio-Minnow Shallow Diving Jerkbaits are suspending. The lake is about 26 feet deep, and most fish survive the harsh mountain winter. This next section of trail was a little slower due to a gentle but steady uphill. Maiden Peak, Mt. USGS Topo Map: Cowhorn Mountain Our options were Suzanne and Darlene Lakes which were a mile beyond the Windy Lakes, Oldenburg Lake which was another 4 miles along, or go another 2+ miles to Nip & Tuck Lakes. Timpanogas Lake is a lake located just 29 miles from Oakridge, in Douglas County, in the state of Oregon, United States, near Odell Lake, OR. They were unlike any of the other lakes wed visited during our trip. We decided to skip these lakes after all and returned to the Oldenburg Lake Trail.
About a hundred yards from where we had left the trail to go cross country we came to a junction with a signpost for the lakes. Join us as we discuss the Oregon Fishing License options, fishing rules and fishing regulations. After stopping to watch the grouse we continued on to the junction with the Cowhorn Traverse Trail where we turned left and followed it .3 miles to the PCT. Is Timpanogas Lake open to fishing, and if so, what can you catch there? After completing the loop we followed the June Lake Trail back to the junction with the tie trail where we decided not to turn onto the tie trail but instead take the .7 mile trail down to the trailhead. Designed with the inputs of Bassheads nationwide, Victory features 25 balanced models focused on techniques, comfort, and the ultimate in fish ability and affordability backed by a 15 year transferable warranty, built in the USA. The trail was marked with rock cairns. At the trailhead we headed up the Indigo Lake Trail. Before we could decide where to camp for the night though we had to get to these lakes. Just over 2 miles from Oldenburg Lake our GPS showed that Nip & Tuck Lakes were off the trail to the east. We took another short break at Oldenburg Lake before continuing on toward Nip & Tuck Lakes. Suzanne Lake was a quick, level mile from first 3-way junction. This section of trail gained almost 900 but it was never steep making it a fairly easy climb. Fishermen will find a variety of fish including brook trout and others here. Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/9319235@N02/albums/72157672911107731. Just before the trailhead it passes Lower Timpanogas Lake. Unlike anything else on the water, MEGA Live Imaging TargetLock locks on to structure at the push of a button, even while your boat is moving or anchored using Minn Kota Spot-Lock. The dirt gave way to rock and we were soon climbing more steeply up a scree slope to a dark rock outcrop. Hidden behind the second outcrop the ridge continued on but it was much narrower. From the beginning of the scramble trail we could get a little idea of our route but the view turned out to be pretty deceiving. They were hidden by trees so we were watching for any sign of a side trail down to the lakes. All rights reserved. This section of trail lost about 200 of elevation as it descended to a junction with the Middle Fork Trail. We briefly considered skipping it, but that just didnt sound like us so we turned around and headed back up the Windy Lakes Trail. At times the trail was rather steep and it was evident why it appeared to be popular with mountain bikers. We had come prepared for rain, but we hadnt really expected any based on the forecast the morning we had left. We thought this must be Middle Windy Lake and it had a bit of a view of Diamond Peak. After the 2.25 miles we arrived at a trail junction with the Indigo Lake and June/Indigo Tie Trails. Before completing the loop we also planned to to take another side trip to visit nearby June Lake. The climb was quite a bit steeper than the descent had been. Our plan was to do a loop around Sawtooth Mountain (with a side trip up to the summit). The cross country route was much easier than we could have ever hoped for with very little blowdown and no underbrush to speak of.
. Here we turned right onto the Windy Pass Trail and began a downhill traverse behind Sawtooth Mountain. Longitude: -122.1138258W Our plan to visit the Windy Lakes included some off-trail hiking because there was no direct route from the PCT to the Windy Lakes Trail. We had expected to be headed toward Middle Windy Lake but the furthest Windy Lake to the south is South Windy Lake. To get back to our camp we would need to head toward Indigo Lake but first we wanted to visit June Lake so we made a sharp left turn onto the tie trail. Bachelor and Crescent Lake to the NE, Mt.
Heres what you need to know! The trails are rated hard, and each is around seven miles out-and-back. From there we continued north on the Windy Lakes Trail passing briefly through forest before arriving at the next lake. We both thought it was prettier to look at from above through the trees where it was a little more colorful. Looking back to the first outcrop from the second. Douglas County Lakes (174) June Lake was a little bigger than we expected and, like the other lakes in the area, very colorful. The hike to June Lake was nearly flat, especially in relation to what wed just come down. The final section of trail was only sightly uphill so we made decent time and managed to arrive at the trailhead along Forest Road 60 just after 4:20pm. in Provo! We were a little under 2 miles from the Oldenburg Lake Trailhead and it was just about 3:45pm. A second outcrop lay a couple hundred feet further along the ridge. Thielsen, peaks around Crater Lake, Union Peak, and Mt. Douglas County Streams (1124). Whether you take Timpooneke Trail or the Aspen Grove Trail, the hike up to Mount Timpanogos is both hard and worth it. Douglas County Harbors (4) For all the good the GPS does it occasionally messes with us. The only thing it seemed to lack was a mountain view. We dont know how much it rained or if it even did where we would have camped, but we drove through plenty of it on the way back home. We identified a switchback due west of Middle Windy Lake as the best option. With that settled we picked up our pace and really started moving. If you love the great outdoors, pristine mountain lakes, and the beauty of the Wasatch Mountains, then taking the hike up to. It had been a great three days with some amazing views and above all it had been another great adventure. The lake is about three acres with limited amenities, so come prepared! Now get out there and fish! Anglers who are familiar with Timpanogas Lake are asked to submit reviews of the Lake. Fishing at Emerald Lake presents a unique challenge due to its elevation at 10,135 feet and the trail to it.
HookandBullet.com, a Busy Pixel brand. So, if youre the outdoorsman-type, come prepared for a challenge. We followed this path downhill through the forest for approximately 2.25 miles. When it looked as though we were about to pass them completely we decided to attempt a cross country route but were quickly stymied by closely knit lodgepole stands. After about half a mile the tie trail met the June Lake Trail coming up from a trailhead near the Timpanogs Lake Campground. There also didnt seem to be as many yellow jackets flying around (just a bunch of flies)which allowed me to be a little more relaxed as we took a break and ate some food. We used the GPS to make sure we were in the right area when we finally decided to leave the PCT just under 3 miles from the Cowhorn Traverse Trail. Tips, tactics, gear reviews for everything from bass and bluegills to stripers and bluefish - if it's fishing related, we cover it. We had to watch where we sat because we werent the only ones enjoying the rocks. The lake we were approaching was the furthest lake shown on the display to the south. The forest began to change as we got closer to Oldenburg Lake and we were soon hiking through lodgepole pines on a dusty trail. In order to get a decent look at that lake we had to hike 100 down the Middle Fork Trail. Elevation: 5,276 ft (1,608 m) We decided to take a break and sat on a log along the sandy beach watching some birds hunting for food. https://www.flickr.com/photos/9319235@N02/albums/72157672911107731, https://www.flickr.com/photos/9319235@N02/albums/72157672828693740, Bear Creek and Wallowa Homeland 07/14/2022, Minam River via Rock Springs 07/13/2022, Minam River via Moss Springs 07/11/2022. We spent quite a bit of time looking at the topographic map determining where we thought the best spot to head cross country would be. Using a DT-8 for Summertime Crankbait Action, Committed to You: Minn Kota and Humminbird, St. Croix Reveals All-New Legend Tournament Bass Series GRASP Swimbait Models in ICAST 2022 New Product Showcase, 10 Must-Have Multi-Species Lures You Need in Your Tackle Box. The Best Lakes for Catfish Fishing in Pennsylvania, How to Catch Catfish: 5 Methods You have to Try. The Windy Pass Trail continues 2 more miles to Forest Road 770 but according to the forest service that section of trail is no longer maintained. In the lake, youll most commonly catch rainbow trout, tiger trout, and arctic grayling. Heather was the first to suggest what we had both been considering, hiking all the way to the trailhead instead of stopping at one of the lakes for the night. They are so abundant they have severely" Crawfish Lake, "It isn't very big but Miller Creek actually supports a pretty nice fishery of rainbow and brown" Miller Creek. So, pack up your gear and head out to Emerald Lake in Utah! The lake was in a bowl at the head of the valley and the shore was heavily forested with a lot of brush making it a little less inviting than the other two lakes we had visited. If youre a casual tourist, this hike is probably not for you. There are two great ways to access the lake. We had noticed though that the forecast for some of the rest of Oregon had suddenly been calling for rain over the final days of our trip so we knew there was a possibility that the forecast might change while we were out. The GPS put us at 22 miles even for the day which was the most wed ever done with our full backpacks and our feet knew it. It was less than a tenth of a mile to this pair of little lakes. Our second day in the Oregon Cascades Recreation Area was a day hike from our base camp at the little green lake above Indigo Lake. Copyright Locality, LLC | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | About | Contact. After going over our maps the night before and discussing it we had decided that we would continue past the Windy Lakes and set up camp at one of several other lakes along our route. The trail eventually began to climb after descending to an elevation of approximately 6350. There were several unnamed lakes shown on the map near the junction and we quickly passed on after turning right onto the Windy Pass Trail. We would be packing up in the morning and saying goodbye to the little unnamed lake, but for one more night it was home. We did have occasional views up through the forest to various rock formations on Sawtooth Mountain but not of the summit itself. We took one final break at the larger of the two bodies of water before setting of on the final stretch.