Cabot and Carl Lakes in the Mt. Jefferson Wilderness

Yesterday we met a young lady on the Tam McArthur Rim who suggested a hike to Carl Lake near Mt. Jefferson. She said it was a lovely hike. So, we stopped by the Forest Service office and picked up a map of the area.

Since we had to pass through Sisters on our way to the trailhead, of course we stopped for coffee at the Sisters Coffee Company. The trailhead is some 10 miles north from Highway 20 and is in a burn area from a large fire in 2003 (I think). The brush is thick, and the pine seedlings are 2′ to 3′ high. The first mile and a quarter or so of the hike is in the burn, and the vigorous brush almost obscures the trail. After 2 miles, the trail passes by Cabot Lake, a small lake surrounded by forested slopes.

Switchbacking up hill, the trail continues for another 2+ miles until reaching Carl Lake. The Cascade crest and the Pacific Crest Trail are a mile or so away to the west (but a good, steep climb).

Carl Lake is pretty, but the trail to get there isn’t our favorite kind of trail. We much prefer a more open trail showing grand vistas instead of thick forest.

Links
—Cabot and Carl Lakes hike photo gallery
—Everytrail GPS track for Cabot and Carl Lakes hike