Fourmile Lake

Mt. McLoughlin from Fourmile Lake

  • Easy (to Badger Lake)
  • 3.6 miles round-trip
  • 200 feet elevation gain
  • Open early July through October
  • Use: hikers, horses


  • Moderate (to Long Lake)
  • 7.4 miles round-trip
  • 360 feet elevation gain


  • Difficult (around Fourmile Lake)
  • 14-mile loop
  • 680 feet elevation gain

Mt. McLoughlin rises like an Egyptian pyramid above the driftwood-jammed shores of Fourmile Lake. Although the Sky Lakes Wilderness surrounds this mountain, surprisingly few other lakes in the area offer views of it. The next best view is a glimpse from cute, swimmable little Badger Lake. Catch both of these vistas on an easy, nearly level walk from the Fourmile Campground. Or continue past a wildflower meadow to skinny Long Lake. Or tackle a 14-mile loop hike that uses the Pacific Crest Trail to complete a grand circuit around Fourmile Lake. Maximum group size is eight people and 12 animals.

To start, drive …

If you hate to backtrack, consider …

Other Hiking Options

For a different short trip, start at …

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