Linton Lake is an easy low-elevation hiking destination

Given the late start for high-elevation trail access this summer, I've thus far tried to focus on snow-free venues that can still offer a flavor of the wilderness experience. In that spirit, here's a very pleasant hike that leads into a deep forest to a mountain lake that is just on the other side of McKenzie Pass. In spite of its proximity to civilization, Linton Lake is actually inside the boundaries of the Three Sisters Wilderness Area.

At an elevation of 3,500 feet, the hike in and out of Linton Lake is only about 3.8 miles, round trip. The trail is easy and, with only a few minor ups and downs, the elevation change is almost negligible. The shaded trail is carpeted with conifer needles and winds its way through a thick westside forest that includes Douglas fir, an assortment of true firs, western hemlock, Pacific yew, and western red cedar.

The trail is well above the water level when the lake first comes into view, but it gradually descends as it approaches the east end of the lake. Although less than two miles from the highway, the lake has a very remote and placid quality about it. This is a great place for a low-key and relaxing wilderness outing for the entire family.

Linton Lake sits in a scenic glacial valley that was formed during a past ice age. A glacier grinding its way down from the Three Sisters, at the Cascade Crest, carved into the landscape in such a way that it left what are termed as hanging valleys. These geologic features are what remains when a glacier carves deeper than, and across, existing valley floors. The cross-sectional glacial cut gives the older, cutaway valleys the look of hanging suspended above the newer glacial valley. Farther down this same valley, nearby Proxy Falls tumbles from the cutaway valleys above into the carved-out glacial valley below.

The lake itself was formed when one of the McKenzie region's ubiquitous lava flows dammed Linton Creek, plugging an upper portion of the glacial valley. Like a much-smaller pool at the foot of Upper Proxy Falls, Linton Lake has no visible outlet. As is common throughout the McKenzie region, the many lava flows created porous substrata and subterranean channels that reroute the lake's water to springs that appear several miles away.

The Linton Lake Trail ends where the seasonal Obsidian Creek flows into the lake along the northeast shore. Here, there is a beach area and a number of great places for a lunch break. If the water level is high - and it is likely to remain so in this water-abundant year - beach exploration may be limited. Farther around the east end of the lake, at the southeast corner, the lake's primary surface tributary, Linton Creek, can be heard roaring its way down the mountainside.

Linton Falls, well up the creek, is visible from the lava dam at the west end of the lake. Access to Linton Creek is difficult when the water level is high. There is no maintained trail through the forest beyond Obsidian Creek, so the going is pretty tough from that point on.

If you have the time and inclination for more hiking after returning to the trailhead, it is a simple matter to add the very scenic Proxy Falls Trail to your itinerary. This short and easy loop of less than a mile is only 1.6 miles west on Highway 242. Both hikes are west of, and outside, the McKenzie Pass snow gates and so are accessible even when McKenzie Pass is closed. The Proxy Falls hike was featured in my last trail column.

To reach the Linton Lake hike when McKenzie Pass is closed, take Highway 126 over Santiam Pass to Belknap Springs and turn left onto Highway 242; the trailhead is about 11 miles to the east. When McKenzie Pass is open, simply head west on Highway 242. The Linton Lake Trailhead is about 12 miles west of the summit of McKenzie Pass.