Twin Lakes

Easy (Wapinitia Pass to Lower Twin)

5.1 miles round trip

700 feet elevation gain

Open June to early November

Use: hikers, horses


Moderate (Barlow Pass to Upper Twin)

7.5-mile loop

1300 feet elevation gain

Children like Lower Twin Lake for lots of reasons. The hike from Wapinitia Pass isn’t too long, the water’s swimmable, the beach has logs for climbing, campsites are plentiful, and there’s a path around the lake for exploring.

If you’re hiking without kids, however, consider a slightly longer loop from Barlow Pass to Upper Twin Lake instead. This less crowded route includes a side trip to Palmateer Point for a view of Mt. Hood.

To find the Wapinitia Pass trailhead, drive …

You could continue on to Upper Twin Lake and Palmateer Point from here, but those goals are actually easier to reach if you start at Barlow Pass instead. To find the Barlow Pass trailhead, drive …

This chapter taken from the book 100 Hikes/Travel Guide: Northwest Oregon & Southwest Washington.