Moraine Lake

Distance: 4.6 miles out and back
Moraine Lake is a solid backpacking destination only 25 minutes outside of Bend, OR. Just travel  west on Hwy 372 towards Mt. Bachelor. The trailhead is located at Devils Lake, just ten minutes past Bachelor. Bring your NW forest pass or pay the $5 day fee. Because Moraine Lake shares its path with South Sister, the trailhead can be quite crowded in the summer. Hit the road early.

South Sister - Atop the Forest

This first 1.5 mile stretch gains 1,250 feet of elevation through a mossy forest before leveling out at 6,700'. A flat, well groomed, alpine road will guide you from here. From this point forward, South Sister's presence will dominate the landscape.

South Sister Dominates the Landscape

Moraine Lake and South Sister

Soon you'll find a sign indicating the whereabouts of your final destination. You'll head east on this trail for less than a mile before Moraine Lake presents itself.

Moraine Lake and Broken Top

There are plenty of options for camping spaces. Lake side is always nice, but check out this view above! Many campers post up along the west rim to face Broken Top. Incredible.

The crystal clear water is great for drinking (use a filter) or taking a dip. If you're up for it, pair this backpacking trip with a summit of South Sister.