I think people might be surprised at the location of this lake......

Is this one that we have three of?   D

Possibly...

From the clues given, I'm guessing Surprise Lake. If I'm correct, then the next question would be which one? I think I saw one of the Surprise Lakes from Olallie Butte this last summer. I'll guess that this photograph is not of the Olallie Surprise Lake.

I have only been to the same Surprise Lake as Kirk near the Olallie Lakes Scenic Area. If I had to guess which one of the other two, I would have to pick the one near Thunder Mtn, because of the hemlocks and noble firs in the picture that would put it over the 4000 foot level.

Well done Don. I know its visited by quads, but to hike there was challenging. Couple years ago I went up over thunder mtn then bushwhacked through thick clearcuts to get down to the old road that leads up to the lake. It's going to take some gumption to tackle that route again.

I don't have a lot of photos to choose from, but I will give this one a try. The trail is currently in one of the new wilderness areas.

Zack Byerly said:

Well done Don. I know its visited by quads, but to hike there was challenging. Couple years ago I went up over thunder mtn then bushwhacked through thick clearcuts to get down to the old road that leads up to the lake. It's going to take some gumption to tackle that route again.

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Well, I can tell you that getting there by quad was no easy task, either.  After having done it, I'm not sure I want to do it again.  Travelling those bumpy, ripped up, washed out, overgrown old roads is tough, even on a quad.  After doing that trip, I was sore for 3 days!  It is a very cool area, and there are some nice places to camp at that lake, but it is VERY tough to get to it now.  With the quad activity officially banned, it is going to get even less visits now. Don, nice pull on the trees, etc.  I didn't think I was giving too much away, but you guys are GOOD!

Thanks Rob,  I feel a little better now.  When I chose my route to Surprise Lake, I thought I would be exploring the Shangri La of Fish Creek solitude.  Upon arrival though I realized that others had the luxury of making the trip with quads.  It was a bittersweet experience.  Your story of suffering has restored my pride to a degree.   Don:  Was your pic taken from the 'Sound of Two Rivers' trail on the way up to the abandoned meth lab?

It is a very cool area....I'd love to backpack in there and camp for a couple nights.  I'd still like to try and come in from the south end and see how tough that route is.  There is so much exploring I'd like to do in that area! Don:  I'm wondering if that is up the switch creek trail?  It looks vaguely familiar.

Zack you are right. So it is your turn to post  a photo. I didn't think it would take someone very long to figure out that trail if they had been on it before.  That section of trail is my favorite spot on the trail and stays fairly clear of snow during the winter. With the trailhead at around a 1000 feet, it can usually be reached all winter, unless we really get dumped on. A couple of winters ago, I climbed up that trail at least 4 times during the winter giving me some much needed exercise. I haven't been up there since last spring, so I don't know if the old meth lab has been cleaned up  or not. Rob: The trail is very similiar to the Switch Creek in the way it follows the ridge and the many switchbacks. Don

Donald Presley said:

Rob: The trail is very similiar to the Switch Creek in the way it follows the ridge and the many switchbacks.

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I was on that trail once, a few years ago.  That was my epic adventure with Paul, the one that almost killed me…..

I hiked the two rivers trail not that long ago so that ridgeline was still fresh in my mind.  And as far as I know the trash heap is still present.  I'm not familiar with the switch creek trail, is it hikable this time of year?  Here's the next picture:   Rob: If I was to do that surpise lake trip again, I would definitely stay out there a night or two.  Lots of exploring to do, and I have a hunch it may contain a few more of these lake creatures:

Zack: Is that trout from Surprise Lake?  Or some other lake?  I've seen some nice trout out of Serene Lake, Big Slide Lake, and a couple of others, but none that big… At least the bottom part of switch creek is hikeable most of the year.  I forget what elevation it is, but the lower sections aren't too high. On the trail photo, any hints?  Is this an official trail, an unofficial, abandoned or lost trail, off-trail?  Is it in a wilderness area?

Rob: Yes, that fish did come from Surprise Lake and it is easily the biggest trout I have ever caught in the Clack Dist. I kind of took it as my reward for the hard work put in to get there, it was a very surreal experience. I often imagine the damage I could do in a couple days spent up there. The picture was taken from an unofficial trail I believe, definitely not in a wilderness area. I learned about it from a discussion thread on here a while back. It may be hard to see, but the actual trail is on the far right of the picture.

It doesn't look familiar to me, but would that happen to be the infamous MP3 trail?

Are you sure it's not in a new wildwerness? Donovan

You're correct Rob it is the MP3 Trail, and now on second look I think Donovan is also correct, the MP3 looks to be part of the new Roaring River Wilderness.

OK, I guess it is my turn then.  Here is a photo on a lightly used trail. that really should get more use-it is a beautiful trail wtih wonderful views.  I'm don't believe it is in a wilderness area:  

Rob: That is a faint trail. Would that be the Fish Creek Mtn Trail? I am guessing, because that looks like a dozen or so trails in our district. A few get a lot of traffic, while the rest of our trails hope somebody comes along to enjoy their paths through the woods or the views they give. Don