Sky Lakes Hiking
On A Klamath Vacation




The best time for Sky Lakes hiking on one of the Wilderness Trails is in late June after the snow has melted. The hiking season ends with the snow storms in October. The least crowded time to go is during the weekdays, and on the weekends the trails can get busier. On holiday weekends it can get crowded.



The weather can be unpredictable at times. The temperature range is between the 40’s and 50’s at night to the 80’s in the day. Mosquitoes are thick until August but are not much of a problem the rest of the hiking season. There can be an occasional thunderstorm and it has been known to snow every month of the year.


Wilderness Hiking on a Klamath Vacation




The lakes are stocked with fish every year with Brook Trout, Lake Trout, and Rainbow Trout. Northwest Trail Passes are not required on any of the trail heads except Mt. McLoughlin and it costs $5 for a day pass. Campfire permits are not required, however, in fire season no campfires are allowed. Check with the Winema National Forest Service before going on your hike.


TrailLengthDifficultySeasonElevation
Badger Lake5.2 milesEasyJune-October5750-6000'
Cherry Creek5.3 milesStrenuousJune-October4600-6000'
Cold Springs2.7 milesEasyJune-October5840-6000'
Divide2.9 milesMore DifficultJuly-October6000-6600'
Donna Lake0.8 milesEasyJuly-October5960-6000'
Isherwood1.4 milesEasyJune-October6000-6040'
Mt. McLoughlin5.5 milesVery StrenuousJuly-September5600-9495'
Nannie Creek4.3 milesModerateJune-October6000-6200'
Pacific Crest37.5 milesDifficultJuly-October5000-7500'
Sevenmile3.5 milesModerateJuly-October5600-5800'
Sky Lakes6.8 milesModerateJune-October5900-6000'
Snow Lakes2.3 milesModerateJuly-October6000-6600'
South Rock Creek1.6 milesEasyJune-October5840-6000'
Summit0.2 milesEasyJune-October5000-5000'
Twin Ponds2.5 milesEasyJune-October5750-6000'



The following rules are enforced in the Sky Lakes hiking Wilderness –

  • Group size is limited to 8 people and 12 animals
  • Camp at least 100 feet from lakeshores, streams, or springs. If you have horses or pack animals camp at least 200 feet away
  • Pack and saddle stock should stay at least 200 feet away from all water sources unless on established trails
  • Stay out of areas marked as ‘restoration sites'
  • Bicycles, motorcycles, and other mechanized equipment are prohibited within the wilderness and on the premises of wilderness trails that are outside the boundary


Winter activities, including cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, are becoming more popular in the lower elevations of the wilderness trails. This area is a favorite of many between Thanksgiving and Christmas to select their favorite Christmas tree.





For more information, please contact:

Klamath Ranger District
2819 Dahlia Street
Klamath Falls, OR 97601
541-885-3400

Note: The above information for this page based from the USDA booklet “Wilderness Trails on the Klamath Ranger District” available at no charge from the address above.




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