Veda Lake Hike
From Portland Hikers Field Guide
- Start point: Fir Tree Trailhead
- End Point: Veda Lake
- Trail Log: Trail Log
- Hike Type: Out and Back
- Distance: 2.8 miles round-trip
- Elevation gain: 660 feet
- High Point: 4,680 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Seasons: Late Spring through late Fall
- Family Friendly: Yes
- Backpackable: Yes - camping at Veda Lake
- Crowded: Never
Contents |
Description
Two locals packed trout fry into this tiny lake in 1917, and were later honored by a forester who combined the first two letters of their names, Vern and Dave, to name the lake. Today, the lake is still a coveted backcountry fishing spot for those hoping to get away from the crowds at nearby Mirror Lake. The lake also makes a good family destination, with generally easy grades on much of the route.
From the Fir Tree Trailhead, locate the marked trail to Veda Lake across the road. The route climbs somewhat steeply at first, before beginning a gentle traverse around the west shoulder of Veda Butte, through June-blooming rhododendron and towering stands of noble fir.
At the half-mile mark, the trail rounds the butte, and begins a descent to a fine viewpoint of the lake, far below, and Mount Hood rising across the Still Creek valley. From here, the trail follows the ridgeline in loose switchbacks, with several nice views of the lake and cliffs of Veda Butte. On a clear day, Mount Hood rises across the valley, and in the foreground, Tom Dick and Harry Mountain and Multipor Mountain frame a portion of Government Camp.
Soon, the trail curves around the ridgeline, and drops to the lake shore at 1.4 miles, after one final, long switchback. There are several campsites along north shore, where views of Veda Butte, above, dominate the setting. A use path circles the lake, and provides access to a small inlet stream, the only flowing water source along the hike. Oddly, there is no outlet from the lake.
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