Burnt Lake

The Burnt Lake hike begins as a gentle walk through a dense rain-forest type woods, then grows steeper in the last mile before reaching the lake. There are campsites here but you should plan to arrive early to get one. The trail loops around the lake and there are few spots where you can fish or swim. Add another 800 feet and a mile and a half and you can hike from here to the summit of Zigzag Mountain.

The lake got its name from a devastating human-caused forest fire that destroyed an old-growth cedar forest back in 1910. After the fire, only charcoaled trunks were left. These were cut down by the forest service, and you can still find the stumps and cut logs in the area around the lake.

Distance from PDX:
60 miles

Elevation gain: 1520

Distance: 5.4 mile loop

Directions
Follow Highway 26 east from Portland to Zigzag, Turn left on East Lolo pass Road. After 4 miles, bear right on forest road 1825. Continue 3.3 miles to the parking area and trailhead, about 1.5 miles past the Lost Creek Campground.