S2.7 - Trillium Lake.

 

Trillium Lake is just past Government Camp, on the foothills of Mount Hood. The boat ramp area is decent, with a small loading and unloading area, and a pit toilet. There is a decent amount of parking, and we got there around 9am, so no trouble finding a spot. However, it got a lot busier as the day went on. There is a day use area on past the boat ramp, and that's where most people go who are just coming to swim.

It's always nice to get that first glimpse of the water you will be floating for the day, but the view you get when you get to the bottom of the boat ramp is breathtaking. Everyone who comes down always stops to enjoy the view, and usually to take some pictures. During our time on the lake, I took quite a few breaks to just enjoy the view. And take lots of pictures.

There is a day use area on one end of the lake, and a campground on another. A 2 mile trail goes around the lake, although part of it was closed when we were there. The campsites are spaced quite a ways apart, and many are right near the shore. Much of the shore line is buffered by lily pads, and other vegetation. There are a few places where you can pull up to the shore, but not a ton.

The North end of the lake has the thickest vegetation, but we could still kayak most of that section, just paddling around or through the lily pads. Lots of dragonflies, a few salamanders, and a frog or 2.

And ducks. We saw several families? of ducks, and they come very close to the kayaks. I'm assuming
they have learned where easy food comes from. They weren't too insistent, but seemed unafraid. 

We had our daughter and her boyfriend with us on SUPs, and they had no troubles. Leanna even got up on one for a bit. We took several breaks to go swimming, since it was such a hot day. We just found a place where we could pull up on shore.

While there were a lot of people here, most of them stayed near the boat ramp or day use area on tubes or floaties. The rest of the lake was not crowded. When we left, there were cars parked along the side of the road to the boat ramp, because parking was full.

They even have boat rentals on the lake. It's a very small, inconspicuous shed between the boat ramp and dam. I took a picture of the prices (2022) in case you're in the neighborhood and want to stop by.

This was our anniversary weekend, so we came back the next day to walk the trail around the river on our actual anniversary. We came early to beat the heat. We didn't get all the way around because they were doing some work on the trail, but it winds near the shore, and through the campground. It's only 2 miles.

Recommend seems to weak of a word to describe Trillium lake. The view adds a whole new level, and there is wildlife and natural areas that are so interesting to explore. This lake should be on your list of places to go!