Sky Lakes Wilderness Area

About the Sky Lakes

Clear water and snowy peaks

Designated by Congress in 1984, the 113,687-acre Sky Lakes Wilderness is Oregon's southernmost claim to the Cascade range. The popular Mt. McLoughlin (9,495ft) is a commanding snow-capped peak that can be seen for miles. From there to the north is an extensive circuit of trails, including a lesser known section of the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. 

The labrynth of trails branching from the PCT lead to remote complexes of mountain lakes, dreamy meadows, old-growth forests, and ice-cold headwaters. Fire has left its mark here, and you will encounter adverse trail conditions, as well as an offensive level of mosquitoes that die down by early fall. 


Photo #1: View of Alta Lake Photo #2: Looking down into the Seven Lakes Basin Photo #3: Pristine water of subalpine lake