Located in the Winema National Forest in Oregon.

A real treasure, this area was one of the original three Forest Service primitive areas in Region 6 (Washington and Oregon). On October 30 1930, Mountain Lakes Primitive Area, Mt. Jefferson Primitive Area and Eagle Cap Primitive Area were approved by Robert Y. Stuart, the Region's Chief Forester at that time. Ten years later the Mountain Lakes Primitive Area was increased from its original 13,444 acres to its present 23,071 acres and was reclassified as a Wild Area. It then encompassed exactly one township as it does today. With the passage of the 1964 Wilderness Act, Mountain Lakes became one of the original wildernesses. Like all wilderness areas, Mountain Lakes is managed to provide an opportunity for the visitor to experience solitude and a primitive recreation challenge while preserving the ecosystem as a wilderness for future visitors.

It is the only square wilderness in the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS) and shares a similar geologic history with its neighbor to the north, Crater Lake National Park. Mountain Lakes is a large caldera or broad crater-like basin formed by the explosion or collapse of a volcanic cone. Originally, a 12,000 foot peak dominated the area ranking as one of the giants of the southern Cascades. Its collapse created the area now known as Mountain Lakes Wilderness. The eight prominent peaks are all that remain of the once surrounding rim. Glaciation then played its part in carrying drainages. The result is that many smaller lakes were formed in the area instead of one large lake filling the caldera as happened at Crater Lake. Each of these beautiful alpine lakes has its own personality and unique environmental setting.

Mountain Lakes Wilderness is easily accessible from three directions. The Clover Creek Trail from the south is only 4.0 miles long. The Mountain Lakes Trail from the west is 6.5 miles; the Varney Creek Trail from the north is 4.5 miles long. These trails are all connected in the wilderness interior by the 10.5 mile Mountain Lakes Loop Trail which climbs from the sparkling blue lakes and winds along the southern caldera rim. Two other trails, Moss Creek Trail and South Pass Trail provide access to the eastern wilderness areas from the Mountain Lakes Loop. There is no access from the private lands that border the wilderness on the east. Your cooperation in the efforts to let the eastern ends of the Moss Creek and South Pass trails return to nature is appreciated.

Hiking in the Mountain Lakes Wilderness varies from easily traversed broad valleys and lake basins to steep, rugged climbs. Those not used to hiking should not plan on covering more than five to ten miles a day.

The summer recreation season use usually begins in late June after the winter snowpack melts and the trails begin to dry. In early July, the flowers are blooming, the fish are jumping, and the days are warm and blue. The weekdays presently offer more opportunity to enjoy the tranquil solitude of the wilderness than the weekend days. Holiday weekends are the most crowded. The snow storms of October bring the summer season to a close. Cross country skiing is becoming a more popular winter activity on the lower portions of the wilderness trails. However, these trails are not signed for skiing, so caution is advised.

Summer temperatures range from highs in the high 80's to lows below freezing. Commonly the summer highs are 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit, with lows of 40-50 degrees. Thundershowers are a common summer pattern, and it can snow in any month, so be sure to check the local weather before setting out.

Fish species are stocked in Mountain Lakes Wilderness lakes every other year. Both brook and rainbow trout are stocked in Harriette, Como, and West Lakes. Mystic, Paragon, and South Pass Lakes are only stocked with brook trout.

For further information contact: The Winema National Forest.