Lost Lake near Sisters Oregon

There are two Lost Lakes in Oregon. One is in Mount Hood National Forest near Mount Hood and the other I'm going to talk about is in Willamette National Forest near Sisters Oregon. The interesting thing about this Lost Lake is that it appears and then disappears. During the rainy parts of the year Lost Lake can cover about 79 acres of land. Once summertime is in full swing, this lake covers zero acres. It dries up, after draining completely into this 7-foot-wide hole.

This is the third time I've been here and like they say the third time is a charm. This was the first time and the whole area was covered in snow and ice, and I couldn't get back to the lake.

Next winter, the cycle starts all over again. Geologists believe that the hole leads to a lava tube that formed during a period of intense volcanic activity around 12,000 years ago. It collapsed at some point and connected above and below.

These are pictures from the second time I was. here.

When it's rainy and the nearby streams are flowing fast, water pours into this basin too quickly for it to drain. When the rain stops, the water slowly starts to drain into the hole. It wasn't completely dry because wind had the bomb cyclone hit before I came here and there was less than an inch of water here.

This is on my third visit.

If you visit at the right time of the year, you can check out the hole yourself, but in the winter it's in the middle of the lake. This area is a spectacular one for camping and hiking. Depending on what time of the year you visit, you may or may not be able to see the lake. Or the hole.

It's believed that the water drains into Clear Lake six miles away.

Three thousand years ago, a volcanic eruption in Central Oregon pushed a giant flow of lava southwest toward the McKenzie River. The lava scorched the forest and redirected the flow of the river, creating what’s known as Clear Lake. Today, the pristine lake is home to a remarkably preserved ancient forest beneath its sparkling turquoise waters. It’s a premier spot for playing on the water — fishing, canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddling. It’s also known for its hiking and biking on the world-renowned McKenzie River Trail.

With visibility of up to 200 feet, Clear Lake is considered one of the best spots for freshwater scuba diving in America.

A petrified tree from the bottom of the Lake.

One important thing to remember!! PLEASE DON'T try to block the hole with anything. It won’t work, and it just creates more work for the hardworking folks at the Oregon Department of Forestry. It’s VERY hard to get debris out of there. Just look, enjoy, and leave it alone!