BITE-SIZED WILDS | Lava Lake Shoreline @ Sunrise! | 4K | Central Oregon

This was a 11.6 Mile, 300 FT Elevation Gain Day-Hike in Central Oregon, Deschutes National Forest, starting at Lava Lake Trailhead and hiking on the Metolius-Windigo National Recreation Trail along the Eastern Shoreline of Lava Lake, across a Forest Divide between Lava Lake and Hosmer Lake, up the East side of Hosmer Lake, ultimately to the Quinn Creek Junction as our Turnaround point for this Out and Back Day-Hike. This was started at sunrise and captured the early morning tranquil serenity of Lava Lake at the Boat Dock. A deer was spotted up close and personal just off the trail near the beginning.

In my opinion, Metolius-Windigo National Recreation Trail is a bit underrated. It is a great Shoreline Hike (for the Lava Lake portion) through an incredible Pine-laden National Forest. It is quintessential Central Oregon. It is also one of the longer hikes you can do in the area with very minimal elevation gain, only a few hundred feet, spread over a long distance. So if you're looking for distance over elevation gain, this is a top choice in the area. Lastly, since its at lower elevation, this is a good tide over training hike that is accessible much earlier in the Summer, and mosquitoes were non-existent.

As far as road conditions, its Cascade Scenic Byway to Lava Lake Day Use Parking, which is all entirely paved. Virtually all cars should be able to easily make it - drive slow and cautiously, and do so AT YOUR OWN RISK! The road does not in my opinion require 4-Wheel Drive - do watch for road conditions, particularly snow/ice depending on the time of year.