Little Lava Lake
A pretty lake a short hike from Lava Lake in Deschutes National Forest.
Lake Name: Little Lava Lake
Lake Coordinates:
Lake Elevation:
Access: Trail
Distance: 0.82 miles (round trip)
Elevation Range: 4728' to 4764'
Ascent/Descent: +7 ft / -7 ft
Trail Type: In and out
Trails: Edison Lava Trail #31
Note: I hiked to the edge of this lake using a section of the Edison Lava Trail #31 from the Lava Lake Boat Launch since the Little Lava Lake Campground was closed due to fire closures.
Date: 9-23-22
The campground that can be used to access this lake was closed due to fire closure. The cut off road to this lake was completely blocked off. So I took a trail that started by Lava Lake and went to the edge of Little Lava Lake.
I wasn’t sure if the trail was effected by the fire closure. So I decided I would just hiked to the shore and then back. I struggled to find the trailhead because there were so many random trails criss crossing near the start. I finally figured it out with the help of my map got on the right trail. Overall the trail was pretty flat and visible. It was a beautiful sunny day and since I was the only person out there it was incredibly quiet. I really enjoyed this short hike. I hiked until I reached the lake edge and then followed along it until I found a place I could access the shore. There were dragon flys flying about and birds out. The water was pretty but there was an algae bloom at this lake that was visible. It was stinky, but the water was still very pretty. It had an emerald green hue to it. I sat for a few minutes just taking it all in. Then I hiked back out.
I'd love to come back to this lake when the campground is accessible and kayak on this lake. The water is beautiful and the pictures I discovered online after my hike were incredible.
Coordinates
Trailhead: 43.91440, -121.76479
Trail splits: 43.91424, -121.76382
View of lake; 43.91368, -121.76151
Trail cutoff to lakes edge: 43.91565, -121.76035
Lakes edge (great view): 43.91545, -121.76027
Resources
How to get there (from Bend, OR)
Map
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