Exploring & Reviewing South Shore Campground @ Suttle Lake! | 4K | Central Oregon | Santiam Pass

This was a Day-Hike in Central Oregon, Deschutes National Forest, circumnavigating Suttle Lake, starting at the Day Use Area next to Suttle Lodge & Boathouse (NE Corner) and hiking the Suttle Lake Shoreline Trail going Counterclockwise for 3.6 miles, 100 FT - 200 FT Elevation Gain. The trail is mostly right on the Shoreline of Suttle Lake and goes by three Developed Campgrounds - Link Creek, South Shore, and Blue Bay, as well as several Boat Ramp/Launch Areas before going through the Suttle Lodge & Boathouse grounds and returning to the Day Use Area Trailhead and Parking.Show more

Due to the relatively low 3400 - 3500 FT Elevation of the Lake, this area is often accessible in Late Winter to Early Spring, typically in the March/April window. I like this Hike, combined with Metolius River and Whychus Creek as the "Spring Triad" of world class hiking trails for the Sisters to Santiam Pass Area. I also recommend scoping out the best individual Campsites of the three Campgrounds along the Trail as a feature of this hike depending on if its Camping off-season or not.

The sky was overcast and it sprinkled a little bit. This was hiked on 4/28/2022 and there were of course NO Mosquitoes. As far as road conditions, it's highway to the turn off for Suttle Lake which is a well paved road until the parking lot, so it was a very easy and safe driving route. In my opinion, the road most definitely DOES NOT require 4-Wheel Drive, however do watch for road conditions, particularly snow/ice depending on the time of year, and do so at your own risk!