Duffy Lake Hike

Overview

This easy family-friendly hike accesses a pretty lake in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness. The trail is very popular with both hikers and equestrians, so it is dusty and you'll want to watch for horse droppings. Come in August or September to avoid the mosquitoes. This description also mentions extensions to Santiam Lake, Mowich Lake, and the Eight Lakes Basin. After filling out a wilderness permit at the trailhead, set off through the trees. After 0.1 miles, you'll pass a trail on the left that leads to Big Meadows Horse Camp. As you hike, notice the big Douglas fir and hemlock in this shady forest. At 1.5 miles you'll pass a junction with the Turpentine Trail on the left. This trail heads north toward Turpentine Peak. You'll stay straight, crossing the North Santiam River at 2.6 miles. By the middle of summer this river is dry, so the crossing is easy, but in early summer you may have to wade across. At 3.1 miles, pass the junction with the Lava Lakes Trail on the right, and shortly thereafter, at 3.4 miles, the official trail makes a hard right and heads off to the right towards Mowich Lake and Santiam Lake (see below). User trails heading straight and to the left head to campsites and Duffy Lake. Duffy Butte - covered in silver snags that are the remnants of the 2003 B&B Complex Fires - towers over the opposite shore. If you hike around to the left to the far west end of the lake, you will be able to see Three Fingered Jack. If you are camping here, remember that campfires must be at least 100 feet away from the lake (although by late summer campfires may be banned entirely if conditions are dry enough; be sure to check before your trip). The Forest Service asks that you only camp in designated campsites although they do not provide a map or tell you how many such sites there are. Make sure to properly secure your food. Gray jays and golden-mantled ground squirrels are common here and will steal your rations. The lake is very popular with both day hikers and backpackers. Help minimize your impact by stic

Trail Stats

Photos

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