Sky Lakes via Cold Springs

• Easy
• 6.9-mile loop
• 400 feet elevation gain
• Open early July through October
• Use: hikers, horses

By far the easiest route into the famous lake-dotted high country of the Sky Lakes Wilderness, this loop passes half a dozen pools in a nearly level, forested basin. The drawbacks? The area’s easy access draws crowds on summer weekends, mosquitoes are a nuisance from mid-July until late August, and the basin has few mountain views. Maximum group size is eight people and 12 animals.

To find the trailhead, drive …

Other Hiking Options

Backpackers can continue north …

This chapter taken from the book 100 Hikes in Southern Oregon.