Timothy Lake loop

Clackamas County, OR, US

Route Overview

15 mi.

1,047 ft.

Without any heartbreaking climbs, this loop allows you to get in the groove of a wonderful slice of PNW scenery. Mostly circumnavigating the namesake lake, the trail provides plenty of swimming opportunities and shots of Mt. Hood to the north. Bring a cooler full of food and drinks, and make a day out of your visit to this relaxing destination.

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Route Details

There are many places to start this ride but @poi[The Cove](10006559) campground is a common spot with a both a campground and a day use area. The trail is frequently ridden in the clockwise direction so you can get your legs warmed up while you enjoy views of the lake. While the southern shore, with its many campgrounds and put-ins, can seem a bit crowded when you start your ride, the crowds quickly melt away as you ply the singletrack along the northern shore.

For about five miles you’ll have the lake to your right as you navigate the trail. At the far northeast corner of the lake @point[the trail forks](d,9258.29): the segment that stays along the shoreline is part of the fabled Pacific Crest Trail, and is closed to bikes. No worries, you’re up for a more adventurous loop, anyway, so stay to the left onto Old 1916 Trail heading south. As you slowly pull away from the lake the trail takes on a more remote feeling, hemmed in by classic Pacific Northwest conifer forests. The relatively flat terrain of the shoreline also gives way to short climbs and descents, giving you an opportunity to alternately get your heart pumping on the ups and feeling the flow on the downs.

While still mostly out of view, once you pass the southeast corner of the lake you’ll cross a few forest roads (including the one you drove in on) and begin a circuitous route towards the southern shore. You’ll hop onto @point[Miller Trail #534](d,18771.54) and pass several campgrounds, including @poi[Clackamas Lake](10006562), @poi[Oak Fork](10006561), and @poi[Gone Creek](10006560), giving you a chance to scope them out for your future camping trip.

Because you’ll most assuredly want to come back, and next time stay for a couple of days. Maybe ride the trail clockwise one day, and then counterclockwise the next. Perhaps bring the kids for a short trail outing in the morning followed by a swim in the afternoon. Whatever your next adventure to Timothy Lake, you can be sure it’ll be worth it, with Mt. Hood always standing watch from the north.

## Riding Season
The lake sits at just above 3,200’, and is deep in the Cascade Range. As a result, it can retain snow late into spring depending on the previous winter. The area is particularly lovely in the early fall, when the crowds have melted away and you can seemingly have the lake to yourself.

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Timothy Lake loop

Route Overview

Route Details

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