Rosary Lakes and Maiden Peak

Rosary lakes in summer

  • Easy (PCT to Rosary Lakes)
  • 5.4 miles round trip
  • 600 feet elevation gain
  • Open late June to early November
  • Use: hikers, horses


  • Easy (gondola to Rosary Lakes)
  • 5.9-mile loop
  • No elevation gain
  • Open late June into September
  • Use: hikers


  • Difficult (gondola to Maiden Peak)
  • 15.9-mile loop
  • 2100 feet elevation gain
  • Open mid-July into September


Rosary Lakes in winter

Blue beads on a mountain’s necklace, the Rosary Lakes sparkle in a high basin beside Maiden Peak. The classic hike to these very popular lakes climbs the Pacific Crest Trail from Willamette Pass. On weekends you can take a fun shortcut by riding the nearby ski area’s summer gondola up Eagle Peak and returning past the lakes on a loop, entirely downhill. For a challenge, tackle a longer loop to the summit of Maiden Peak itself, passing a charming log cabin and Maiden Lake along the way.

For the classic hike, turn off Willamette Highway . . .

If you’re interested in climbing Maiden Peak, be warned …


This chapter is an excerpt from 100 Hikes/Travel Guide: Central Oregon Cascades.

Eagle Peak gondola in summer