Lost Lake
Famous View of Lost Lake, Mount Hood in the distance
Location of Lost Lake in Oregon, USA.
Location of Lost Lake in Oregon, USA.
Lost Lake
Location of Lost Lake in Oregon, USA.
Location of Lost Lake in Oregon, USA.
Lost Lake
LocationHood River County, Oregon, United States
Coordinates45°29′23″N 121°49′21″W / 45.489840°N 121.822578°W / 45.489840; -121.822578[1]
Basin countriesUnited States
Max. length5,395 ft (1,644 m)[2]
Max. width4,150 ft (1,260 m)[2]
Surface area99.1 ha (245 acres)
Max. depth167 ft (51 m)[2][3]
Surface elevation3,146 ft (959 m)[1]
Frozenoccasionally
Islands(none)
Settlements(none)
References[1][2][3]

Lost Lake is a lake in Mount Hood National Forest 16.2 kilometres (10.1 mi) northwest of Mount Hood in Hood River County in the U.S. state of Oregon. It is 34.4 kilometres (21.4 mi) southwest of Hood River, a 26.4-mile (42.5 km) drive.

The lake is bounded on the east by 4,468-foot (1,362 m) Lost Lake Butte and on the southwest by 4,556-foot (1,389 m) Preachers Peak. The lake is fed by three unnamed intermittent creeks from Lost Lake Butte, and Inlet Creek from Preachers Peak. The lake maintains a very consistent level via an outlet at the north tip, the source of Lake Branch Hood River, a tributary of West Fork Hood River. It is the second-deepest lake in Mount Hood National Forest after Wahtum Lake at 167 feet (51 m).

Recreation

The lake is a popular recreational site, with 125 primitive campsites,[4] seven rustic cabins,[5] and a rustic general store. The resort's normal season is May through October.[5] Canoes, row boats, and kayaks are available for rental; motor craft are not allowed.[2] A day use fee applies to all vehicles entering the area, payable to the concessionaire.[5]

Astrophotography has become a popular activity at Lost Lake with the rise of social media attracting photographers to capture the Milky Way and Mount Hood.[6]

Wildlife

The lake contains brook trout, brown trout, kokanee salmon, rainbow trout,[3] crayfish, otter, and beaver.[2] Throughout the area are blacktail deer, Roosevelt elk, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, black bear, cougar, and bobcat.[2] The heavily forested area consists mostly of Douglas-fir and mountain hemlock with some cedar and white pine. Alder and huckleberry underbrush occurs in open areas.

Protection

The area is a part of the proposed Lewis and Clark Mount Hood Wilderness which would prevent development, logging, mining, and likely would require the removal of structures and roads.[7]

History

Native Americans called the lake E-e-kwahl-a-mat-yam-lshkt (heart of the mountains).[5] The name Lost Lake came from Mack Hollamon, who was a hunting and fishing guide during the turn of the 19th century. He had guided for many years throughout Mount Hood but did not come across the lake until Native Americans later showed him where it was. So he called it Lost Lake on his future trips.

Gallery


See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "Lost Lake". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g "Lost Lake History". Lost Lake Resort. Archived from the original on 2008-07-20. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
  3. ^ a b c "Lost Lake - Mount Hood NF". Go-Oregon.net. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
  4. ^ "Campgrounds". Mount Hood National Forest. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
  5. ^ a b c d "Lost Lake Resort & Campground". Archived from the original on 2008-05-03. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
  6. ^ R, Mike (2019-03-08). "Unique Astronomy Site: Lost Lake Resort". CosmosPNW. Retrieved 2022-01-17.
  7. ^ "Oregon Wild Hikes: Lost Lake, Part of the Lewis and Clark Mount Hood Proposal". Wild Oregon. Archived from the original on 2008-07-16. Retrieved 2008-07-17.

External links

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