Serene Lake Trail
Table of contents
The Serene Lake Trail is a wonderfully scenic, albeit buggy, hiking route in Mount Hood National Forest that features a beautiful woodland setting and pristine lake views. While out on the trail, you will climb uphill through the forest, steadily gaining elevation on the way to the shores of Serene Lake that are surrounded by rugged mountains and swathes of trees. Please note that you will need a high clearance vehicle, preferably with 4-wheel drive in order to reach the trailhead, as the road is very rugged.
Route Description for Serene Lake Trail
As mentioned above, spending the day on the Serene Lake Trail will require a high clearance vehicle to reach the trailhead and plenty of bug spray to fight off unwelcomed hiking companions. These minor inconveniences aside, it is a fantastic hike that showcases the beauty of Mount Hood NF!
Setting out from the trailhead, you will make your way to the west through the tree cover, descending slightly through the Rock Lakes Basin in order to cross over the South Fork Roaring River. On the opposite side, the trail will bend slightly to the northwest as you work around the slope of a hill.
Here, the trail will turn to the southwest on the approach to Serene Lake, where you will find campsites and picnic areas if you plan on spending a few hours (or days) in the area. If not, continue along the trail as it climbs uphill through the tree cover to the southwest, eventually meeting up with the endpoint of the trail at a junction with the Grouse Point Trail. From here, simply turn back along the trail and retrace your steps to return to the trailhead where you began.
Getting to the Serene Lake Trail Trailhead
The trailhead for this hike can be found on NF-240, just west of a junction with NF-58.
Route Information
Backcountry Campground:
Serene Lake
When to do:
June-October
Pets allowed:
Yes - On Leash
Family friendly:
Older Children only
Route Signage:
Average
Crowd Levels:
Moderate
Route Type:
Out and back
Serene Lake Trail Elevation Graph
Weather Forecast
Check Area WeatherReviews
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