Hosmer Lake - Mallard Marsh in Central Oregon
near more than 100 other alpine lakes
Depending on what you're looking for Hosmer Lake is wonderful. I like it so much. Unlike the other Cascade Mountain lakes featured on these pages, it possesses a serenity that is hard to describe. Just a feeling of quietude, not as if nothing is happening, but as if it's all happening outside our awareness. On the website for the Deschutes National Forest, it is described as a
"hidden jewel of green and blue surrounded by dark green forest. Thickets of bulrush wands hide the most secretive wildlife and fish," with water draining into a porous rim of lava at the north end. To experience this lake fully, get out on it in a canoe. Although a shoreline hike
comes in close as a second. Be sure to take your camera and capture the wonders that can be caught, including the spectacular view of Mt. Bachelor, South Sisters, Broken top and wildlife viewing.
Hosmer is a "fly fishing only" lake. The big Atlantic salmon, brook trout and rainbows are quite visible in this shallow clear lake. John Huber (1998) compared it to a spring creek because many of the fish are easy to see. At Hosmer Lake, the Atlantic salmon average 16 inches (largest in the 22 inch range) and brook trout average 14 inches.
Because of the beautiful surroundings, the abundant wildlife, waterfowl and easily seen large fish swimming around, Hosmer Lake is also a very popular lake for canoeists. As such, Hosmer Lake has a group of loyal campers who return every year to stay at either South or Mallard Marsh Campgrounds, (see below) commonly referring to them as the Hosmer Lake Campgrounds. Opportunities include fishing and canoeing as already mentioned, but hiking, horseback riding and bird watching are popular activities as well.
Protect our National Forests and Wilderness Areas. Leave NO Trace!
To make sure we do it all, Check the 7 Principles of "Leave NO Trace!".
|
Mallard Marsh Campground at Hosmer Lake on the Caqscade
Lakes National Scenic Byway of Oregon
Mallard Marsh Campground has 15 single, but large, sites; they are not reservable. The sites can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 26', but the campground wasn't made for luxury RVs, and the roads are often rutted. The campsites have no hookups for electricity, water or sewer, no pavement type for parking and no dump station. There is a vault toilet, but no water. An overnight stay for a single vehicle is $10.00 per night and $5.00 for each additional vehicle. Weather permitting, Mallard Marsh Campground is open from late May to late September. The campground is close to Hosmer Lake, giving opportunity for fly-fishing and access to hiking trails and equestrian trails. A paved boat ramp is available at South Campground. An access for float tubes and canoes off the trail between sites 14 and 15 in Mallard Marsh Campground is available. Motorized "electric motors only" and non-motorized boats are allowed on Hosmer Lake.
South Campground at Hosmer Lake on the Cascade
Lakes National Scenic Byway of Oregon
South Campground has 23 campsites. Most of them are large and secluded. Like Mallard Marsh Campground, you'll find no water at South Campground. There is a vault toilet, however, and this is where you'll find the boat launch. The fees for overnight camping are $10.00 per night for the first vehicle, and $5.00 for each additional daily. It also requires a NW Forest Pass if you're to launch a boat. If you're camping with an RV there are no hookups for electricity, water or sewer and no dump station. The maximum spur size is 26'. Campsites are not reservable, and this is a very popular campground, so plan ahead.
Wildlife Viewing at Hosmer Lake in the Deschutes
National Forest of Oregon
At Hosmer Lake find American bittern, Virginia rail, sora, three-toed woodpecker, black-backed woodpecker, and sometimes wood duck. In addition, the Oregon Fish and Wildlife is breeding Atlantic Salmon at Hosmer Lake, making it one of only two locations in central Oregon to find them. Another fish in the glass-clear water is brook trout. Rocky Mountain elk graze in the meadows along the lake's northwest shore. You might encounter common nighthawk, Costa's hummingbird, gray jay, Clark's nutcracker, and three kinds of blackbird (Brewer's, red-winged, and yellow-headed). Occasionally, Black bear come visiting at night.
Directions from Bend: At Jct. of Third St. (Hwy. 97) & Greenwood Ave. (Hwy. 20), travel south on Third St. for 0.3 mile to Franklin Ave, turn west onto Franklin Ave. for 1.2 miles to Galveston Ave, turn west onto Galveston Ave. for 0.4 mile to Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway, Forest Road 46. Turn South onto Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway and drive 33.9 miles to FR 4625, turn east onto FR 4625 for 1.2 miles to Hosmer Lake and South Campground. The total Distance is 37 miles, and depending on road conditions, the estimated time is 50 minutes.
Directions from the south: If you are driving north on Oregon Hwy 97, take the Crescent Cut - off road north of Chemult. I have never taken this road from the east, and it's easier for me to describe from the west, which I will do now. From that you can most likely figure out how to do it from the east if that's your choice. So! If you're driving north on hwy 97, take Oregon Hwy 58 north of Chemult. Look for the signs to Davis Lake and wickiup Reservoir. It's the first major turn to the right after turning onto Hwy 58. Turn right, look for the signs for the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway, perhaps the sign will say Davis Lake ... as it's the first lake you'll come to on this road. Turn north onto the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway, or FR 46, as it's otherwise called. Hosmer Lake is up around the 35 mile marker, but just watch for the signs for Elk/Hosmer Lakes. Turn right when you do, and follow the directions as written above after turning onto FS 4650.
For your information, Elk/Hosmer Lakes are the furtherest north lakes before the Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway turns and heads east. It you see Broken Top, Sparks Lake and Devils Lake from the FR 46, you'll know you've gone too far.
Travel Oregon and northern California while staying at Gathering Light ... a retreat
located in south central Oregon, near Crater Lake National Park.
|
|
Travel on the West Cascades National Scenic Byway to Gathering Light ... a retreat: Travel Directions, Map and Scenery: wild and scenic rivers, hiking trails, mountains and volcanoes, old growth forests and more.
Directions to and Day Trips in either Oregon or California of about 100 miles from the retreat.
Explore little Known Scenic Places near Crater Lake and the retreat: Travel Directions, Map and Scenery: hiking trails, river gorges, wetlands and wildlife refuges, birding trails, canoeing and more.
Website Directory
Page Listing
Home Page
|
