Catalpa Lake
Updated: Nov 28, 2022
A beautiful, tucked away lake in Mount Hood National Forest.
Lake Name: Catalpa Lake Lake Coordinates: 45.2256, -121.6369 Lake Elevation: 4100′ Access: Trail Distance: 1.96 miles (round trip) Elevation Range: 3987′ to 4209′ Ascent/Descent: +171 ft / -123 ft Trail: Catalpa Lake Trail #535 Trail Type: In and out Note: There is no signage at the trailhead. Date hike was done: 10-27-20
The road came to a V where it appeared the trailhead started on my maps. The road to the right continued a few hundred feet and then dead-ended. The trail started at the end of the dead-end. There were no signs that marked the trailhead.
We parked and then layered up. We started on our hike. Within just a few hundred feet of the trailhead the trail V’d. The Catalpa Lake trail continued to the left. The trail was flattish, then it gradually climbed uphill a bit. There was frost on the ground and a few frozen spots. The trail dropped down to Green Lake Creek crossing. It was lightly trickling and very easy to cross. There were signs with the creek name and a sign saying Mt Hood Wilderness.
The trail on the other side of the creek gently climbed uphill for a ways. Then the trail gently went slightly uphill and downhill until right before we got to the lake. We passed through some dead forest, lots of downed trees and not much ground cover. The trail wrapped around the right side of the lake. It doesn’t fully loop around.
The water was really pretty and I was surprised the lake wasn’t even starting to ice over. There were 2 campsite areas along the lake. The trail ended at the start of the rock slide. The best view of the lake was from there. I was surprised with how pretty the water was, it was a little light blue with a hint of green.
I wasn’t feeling very good most of the hike. I hadn’t slept well and was nauseous most of the day because of that. We hiked out and it was a nice short outing. I’d definitely label it as an easy hike terrain wise.
Coordinates
Where I parked: 45.21820, -121.63154
Start of trail: 45.21863, -121.63253
Trail intersection (stay left): 45.21868, -121.63262
Green Lake Creek crossing: 45.21977, -121.63544
First view of lake at edge: 45.22598, -121.63612
Campsite area #1: 45.22641, -121.63683
Campsite area #2: 45.22640, -121.63731
End of trail & great view of lake: 45.22603, -121.63769
Resources
How to get there (from Sandy, OR)
Location
Map
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