The Frog Lake Sno-Park is only about an hour east of Portland, and the roughly nine-mile route described here takes you through some of the finest scenery and on the smoothest trails the Northwest has to offer.

Find the PCT near the sno-park parking area’s western end. The trail north from here climbs steadily for about a mile and a half, topping out near its junction with the Twin Lakes trail. Stay on the PCT, however, continuing another 2.5 miles or so until meeting the Palmeteer Trail (#482). Turn right here, and after about a mile you’ll come to the Palmeteer viewpoint trail, a short (0.3 miles) out-and-back to a barren hilltop that offers stunning views of Mt. Hood to the north, Barlow Ridge, and the expansive White River valley. Return to the main Palmeteer trail, which twists and turns down to the lakes. (Keep on the lookout for another short off-shoot in this stretch that will take you to a rocky overlook, yet another opportunity for great views of the valley.)

Directions: Take Hwy. 26 east of Portland; Frog Lake Sno-Park is approximately seven miles east of Government Camp. Map sources: Mt. Hood and NW Oregon Trail Map; Mt. Hood National Forest map


Activity Notes

0900 - Meet at the Twin Lakes trailhead (Frog Lake Parking).  We will leave at 0915 to hike up past the lower and upper twin lakes to enjoy lunch up on Palmateer Point with views of Mt. Hood.  After lunch, we will descend down to the trail and continue the loop around to the PCT, where we will return to the trailhead at Frog Lake Parking.  This is, approximately, a 10 miles hike with an elevation gain around 1850'.  We should be back at the trailhead by 3pm.  Our goal is to enjoy our natural surroundings at a comfortable pace of 1.5 - 2 mph

I bring a jetboil stove to heat water for lunch coffee and I would be pleased to heat water for you for coffee, tea or soup to have with your lunch.

Other Information
Driving Distance from Portland 116 miles
Distance - Round Trip 12 miles
Expected Duration Car to car in one day
Relevant Maps MH10
Awards Qualified Mt. Hood Award, Wild Ones
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