Lost Lake (Hood River County, Oregon)

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.

Lost Lake
Famous View of Lost Lake, Mount Hood in the distance
Location	Hood River County, Oregon, United States
Coordinates	45.489840°N 121.822578°W / 45.489840; -121.822578[1]
Basin countries	United States
Max. length	5,395 ft (1,644 m)[2]
Max. width	4,150 ft (1,260 m)[2]
Surface area	99.1 ha (245 acres)
Max. depth	167 ft (51 m)[2][3]
Surface elevation	3,146 ft (959 m)[1]
Frozen	occasionally
Islands	(none)
Settlements	(none)
References	[1][2][3]

Rowboat at Lost Lake

Mt Hood and Lost Lake

Windsurfer on Lost Lake with Mt Hood in the background

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]

Wildlife

The lake contains brook trout, brown trout, kokanee salmon, rainbow trout,[3] crayfish, otter, and beaver.[2] Throughout the area are blacktail deer, 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 possibly require the removal of structures and roads.[6]

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 century. He had guided for many years through out 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 guides. He also named Dinger Lake and Frying Pan Lake.

See also

• List of lakes in Oregon

References

1. "Lost Lake". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey.
2. "Lost Lake History". Lost Lake Resort. Archived from the original on 2008-07-20. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
3. "Lost Lake - Mount Hood NF". Go-Oregon.net. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
4. "Campgrounds". Mount Hood National Forest. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
5. "Lost Lake Resort & Campground". Archived from the original on 2008-05-03. Retrieved 2008-07-17.
6. "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

• Media related to Lost Lake (Hood River County, Oregon) at Wikimedia Commons