Mt. Hood National Forest Badgerlake Lake Hike from Gumjuwac Saddle Hike 39
Length: 5.6 miles round trip from Saddle Length: 10.6 miles round trip from Hwy 35 Elevation Change: 600' loss then return from Saddle Elevation Change: 1700' gain then 600' loss then return from Hwy 35 Season: Summer thru Fall Difficulty: Moderate from Saddle Difficulty: Challenging from Hwy 35 Permit: NW Forest Pass Required Features:
As is obvious, there are a couple of ways to do the Badgerlake Lake. Because
I've already covered the Gumjuwac Saddle hike on this website(see Hike 36),
I'll write this narrative from Gumjuwac Saddle.
Trail #458 is across the road from where you park and a bit south. Don't get mixed up
with Trail #480, which is a bit to the north of Trail #458. Your Trail #458 climbs for just
a short distance before descending into the valley below. You will be hiking mostly
in a timbered environment. From time to time you will have brief views of the surrounding
areas, but for the most part, you'll be hiking in forest for about the first mile and a half.
At about 1.5 miles, you'll begin the serious descent into Badgerlake Lake. For a while you'll be
hiking in a more open area with some great vistas or the eastern Oregon flatland to the east,
and of Badgerlake Lake itself below you. You will also be able to catch glimpses of Mt Jefferson
peeking over the horizon to the south.
At about 2.6 miles you'll come to the junction of Trails #458 and #479. Just keep straight
ahead and follow the little used Trail #458 to the lake shore. There is an unmaintained
road to Badgerlake Lake, so you'll see vehicles across the lake from where you are. To return
to your vehicle, just reverse your journey and enjoy.
