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This is a very kid-friendly hike to a quiet alpine lake. There are campsites at the lake. This trail begins at Buck Lake Road (Forest Road 5810-210) (3,820’) and ends at Buck Lake (4,080’). The trail climbs at a moderate grade to the west shore of Buck Lake
From Portland, OR - travel east on US Hwy 26 to Sandy. Turn right (southwest) on OR Hwy 211 and travel 6.1 miles to OR Hwy 224. Turn left (southeast) on OR Hwy 224 and travel 30.2 miles to Oak Grove Fork Road (Forest Road 57) (approximately at milepost 50). Turn left (east) on Oak Grove Fork Road and travel 7.4 miles to High Rock Road (Forest Road 58). Turn left (northeast) on High Rock Road and travel 1.1 miles to Forest Road 5810. Turn right (east) on Forest Road 5810 and travel 4.9 miles to Forest Road 5810-210. Turn left (northwest) on Buck Lake Road (Forest Road 5810-210) and travel 0.5 mile to the marked trailhead at a pullout on the left (west) side of the road.
Heard great things from a friend a few years back. Made the long drive out from Portland and was super disappointed. I have a low clearance vehicle and had a rough time getting to the lake. The roads are very poor. There’s no cell service so if you have a problem or get stuck you’re screwed. The lake itself was really low and like a stagnant pond. Probably since it’s been so dry. There was also quite a bit of trash and needles as some other reviewers have said. We ended up driving back to Trillium and had a nice albeit crowded day.
If you don't have GPS you might not find this gem!!! I'm glad we did. We hiked the .04 miles with our backpack paddleboard in and did some relaxing in solitude. One of Oregon's most beautiful places. Salamander city!!!!
Great swimming / dispersed camping spot. Takes 20 min on fair gravel forest service roads (suv not required) and 1/2 mile hike uphill to lake. Beautiful water. Rarely crowded.
The reviews complaining about trash and bugs are either unlucky or fake bad reviewing to keep folks away.
Buck Lake was one of our adventures where we start at Timothy Lake, open Google Maps, and go find stuff out on the Forest Service roads.
It's remote, rustic, and beautiful. We only saw one other car and one other group of people. We had the lake to ourselves most of the time. The hike up and back is easy and pretty. The lake is small and calm.
There are basically no "amenities".
