Yaktrax vs. Snowshoes – Upper Three Creek Lake Sno-Park – Central Oregon – 4K

My goal of these wilderness trail videos is to 1) show reverence for the beauty of the land, and 2) give YOU actionable trail information that can assist you in planning your own hike here.

This was a day-hike in Central Oregon, Deschutes National Forest, starting at Upper Three Creek Lake Sno-Park and climbing up to Jefferson View Log Cabin Shelter as an Out and Back, approximately 3.1 miles roundtrip and 700 feet elevation gain from 5100 ft to 5800 ft, all in the Alpine Zone. I attempted to continue on to Three Creek Lake increasing the hike to 9.6 miles and 1400 ft elevation gain but had to turn back 3/4 of the way there due to very deep snow accumulation at higher elevations. Due to snow accumulation and a sheet of ice along the trail it was necessary to deploy Yaktrax Summit Heavy Duty Traction Devices for safety, although Microspikes would also work as well. The temperature was around freezing when I arrived and it got warmer the longer I hiked. The sky was beautiful blue skies, a blue bird day. This was hiked on 2/10/2022 and there were of course NO Mosquitoes. As far as road conditions, it's highway to the turn off towards Three Creek Lake which is also a paved road, due to the time of year I did this there was no snow all the way to the Sno-Park Parking Lot which is giant and well paved. In my opinion, the road most definitely DOES NOT require 4-Wheel Drive, however do watch for road conditions as far as snow/ice and plan accordingly since it is a heavy snow/ice area.