Hosmer Lake, Up the Creek to the Waterfall
Thursday 6/19/2025
This trip is for the Cascade Lakes Event 2025. Registration will be available to Cascade Lake Event registered members only, on the night before the trip. Signup will be at the event headquarters campsite.
Hosmer Lake is a jewel of lacustrine beauty easily accessible via a gravel parking lot and boat launch. We will paddle slowly, enjoy the scenery, look for fish and birds (sandhill crane sightings possible), and go to the upper end of the lake and paddle as far as possible up the creek. Hopefully to the small rapid/waterfall that is the end of navigability. Plan on an early start as the parking lot can get full. It is a bit of a drive (about 41 miles) from Lapine State Park to Hosmer, so we will try and get everything loaded and ready the evening before on June 18.
LaPine to Hosmer Lake (Elevation 4,964 feet)
50 minutes
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Exit campground on LaPine State Recreation Road.
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Before you cross the railroad tracks and reach 97, go Left on Huntington Road
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In 4 miles go left on S. Century Drive (the first intersection)
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Follow S. Century for 22.5 miles until it intersects Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway
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Turn Right on Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway
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Continue appx 16 miles until you see the sign for Elk Lake Loop / Hosmer Lake
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Turn Right and follow Mud Lake Road for 1 mile and turn Right on the dirt road that leads to the Hosmer Lake Boating Site Put-In.
WARNING NOTE: As you travel along S. Century Drive towards Cascade Lakes National
Scenic Byway, after appx 7 miles, your GPS may direct you to turn Right onto NF 4037, which
quickly becomes a rutted, single-track, dirt Forest Service Road. Don't take it. You should
stay on S. Century Drive until you reach Cascade Lakes National Scenic Byway.
The fish in the lake are experts at ignoring lures, so good luck with fishing if you try.
Quoting Phil Jones in Canoe and Kayak Routes of NW Oregon (3rd ed.): Phil Jones 2007 edition: “Hosmer Lake has it all: clear water, narrow channels, open water, acres of lily pads and rushes, a contorted shape, outcrops of volcanic rock, abundant wildlife, huge fish visible from your boat, and grand mountain views”
USDA says: The lake is a hidden jewel of green and blue surrounded by dark green forest. Thickets of bulrush wands hide the most secretive wildlife and fish. At the north end, water drains into a porous rim of lava. The best way to experience this lake is by canoe, but a shoreline hike will still produce wondrous sights and sounds. Take your camera to capture the spectacular view of Mt. Bachelor.
Hosmer is a “fly fishing only” lake well known for its breathtaking views of Mt. Bachelor, South Sisters, Broken top, wildlife viewing and the big Atlantic salmon, brook trout and rainbows that are quite visible in this shallow clear lake.
Meeting Time: 7:30 AM
Launch Time: 9:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle
Put in location: Hosmer Lake Boat Ramp, 43.95907251610518, -121.78887874463402
Take out location: Same as Put In Location
Route Alternative for bad weather: None
Required equipment: Boat, Paddle(s), Immersion Wear. A minimum of 2 liters of drinking water. It may be a warm day. Sun shade hat, sunscreen, lunch & day snacks. Highly recommend to bring sunglasses. Have with you minimum partial neoprene wetsuit. It may be cold and cold water, especially in the morning. Have a long sleeve rash- guard shirt. For both insulating layer and sun protection. Be prepared for temperature extremes and sun exposure.
Primary Organizer: Dennis Pennell
Co-Organizer(s): Mark Niemann-Ross
Has organizer paddled here before? Yes
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before? Yes
Organizer's first aid and CPR current? Yes
First Aid /CPR Person:
Maximum number of paddlers: 10
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy:
Estimated Air Temperature: 50-70
Estimated Water Temperature: 40s
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 3-4 hours
Tide times & heights: N/A
Current information: N/A
Hazards: Cold water, fisherpeople, tourists
Wind strength: Unknown
Swell/Surf size: N/A
Sea state: Flat
Landing types: Lakeshore
Currents: N/A
Total distance: 4 miles
Open crossing:N/A
Paddling Environment: Bay and River
Overall rating: 1
Rating Comments:
Location (Optional): 43.95907251610518, -121.78887874463402
Photos (Optional):
COVID-19 Status of Trip: Members do not need to be, or show proof of Covid-19 vaccination.
Tide Station: N/A
