The heather ridges around Camp Lake are an alpine wonderland, set smack between towering South Sister and the glaciers of Middle Sister. Wind-sculpted pines cling to crags in scenic poses. Miniature wildflowers turn brilliant blooms to the sun. Icebergs drift in blue waters. The sky seems full of Oregon’s most beautiful mountains.

But good things don’t come easy. And the price of admission here is more than merely a long, uphill hike—it’s a hike that starts with 4.6 miserably dusty miles, mostly through woods that burned in a 2012 wildfire. To find the trailhead, drive …

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Demaris Lake is a somewhat closer goal. Though less spectacular, this lake is a good choice on …

This chapter is an excerpt from 100 Hikes : Central Oregon Cascades