Trip Report: Paddleboarding Clear Lake on Mount Hood
When: 11/26/2017
Location: Clear Lake Campground
Conditions: Perfect! Sunny with snow covering all the trees!
Duration: 3 hours
Difficulty: Easy!
Kid Friendly: Yes
Pet Friendly: Yes
The Full Report:
Clear Lake! Clear Lake is a must do day-trip if you live in Portland. Everyone talks about Trillium Lake, but many are unaware that Clear Lake is just 15 minutes down the road with just as spectacular views and with less of the crowds. And if you want to be out there on your own you can go out in the winter as I did. Again, only a few minutes past government camp if you are coming from Portland - right off highway 26.
Unlike Trillium Lake, during the winter months the gate often remains open, so if you have 4wd or AWD you can get right to the water’s edge in your vehicle. If not, it's only about a mile to walk in from the main road. Anyway, most of the year you can park right at the water’s edge.
I went there with a couple of inflatable paddle boards with my friend Brian and man did we get a gorgeous day! The sun was shining, and the water was perfectly still. We pumped up our boards and paddled out a bit and then Bam! A beautiful view of mount hood came into view. We tied up to some stumps on the other side of the lake while we hung out and took some cool photos. There was snow on all the pines around us, the scenery was absolutely epic.
The truth is that I loved this lake so much I decided to propose to my now wife on Clear Lake only a couple weeks later! Anyway, in the summertime you can hike around the lake and there are plenty of awesome camp spots there. I've also heard there are some cool dirt bike trails around. I give this place a 10 out of 10 whether your kayaking, paddle boarding, camping, hiking, or just looking for some good mountain views.
Unlike Trillium Lake, during the winter months the gate often remains open, so if you have 4wd or AWD you can get right to the water’s edge in your vehicle. If not, it's only about a mile to walk in from the main road. Anyway, most of the year you can park right at the water’s edge.
I went there with a couple of inflatable paddle boards with my friend Brian and man did we get a gorgeous day! The sun was shining, and the water was perfectly still. We pumped up our boards and paddled out a bit and then Bam! A beautiful view of mount hood came into view. We tied up to some stumps on the other side of the lake while we hung out and took some cool photos. There was snow on all the pines around us, the scenery was absolutely epic.
The truth is that I loved this lake so much I decided to propose to my now wife on Clear Lake only a couple weeks later! Anyway, in the summertime you can hike around the lake and there are plenty of awesome camp spots there. I've also heard there are some cool dirt bike trails around. I give this place a 10 out of 10 whether your kayaking, paddle boarding, camping, hiking, or just looking for some good mountain views.