Upper & Lower Twin Lakes Snowshoe Hike – Mount Hood

Trek through winter wonderlands near Mount Hood on this forested snowshoe hike to two small mountain lakes.

distance: 5.6 miles
elevation gain: 875 ft.
difficulty: easy to moderate
drive time from Portland: 1 hour 40 minutes
parking pass: Oregon SnoPark Pass (required Nov. 1 through April 30)

From Portland, drive east on Highway 26 for 45 miles to the Frog Lake Sno-Park at Wapinitia Pass, located 7 miles southeast of Government Camp and 4 miles south of the Hwy. 26/35 junction. Park near the north end of the parking lot. The trailhead is to the left of the vault toilets.

The Hike

Good conditions for snowshoeing in this area are when there is at least 3-5 feet of snow on the ground, preferably just after recent snowfall so the the trees are smocked with snow.

Look for the Twin Lakes trailhead at the north end of the parking lot near the restroom. Snowmobilers aren’t allowed on this trail and will instead be using the Frog Lake trail at the south end of the parking lot. 

After a very short distance on this trail connector, turn right on the Pacific Crest Trail #2000.

The forest is full of towering mountain hemlocks with snow clinging to the sprays of branches. Climb gradually for a half mile to a sharp turn in the trail.

Continue north for another mile to a junction with the Twin Lakes trail. Turn right and head downhill along a ridge slope to the small mountain lake basin that holds Lower Twin Lake.

An open area in the woods beside the lake makes for a nice spot to take a break before heading back the same way. It’s common for birds to swoop to get food, but it’s better to not feed them, no matter how cute they seem. Please keep wildlife wild and keep your snacks to yourself.

To continue to Upper Twin Lake, turn right on the trail at the lake and make your way up to the lake.

Unless there are clear tracks to follow, I usually turn around here and head back the same way.