Located in the Rogue River and Winema National Forests in Oregon.

A new addition to the National Wilderness Preservation System (NWPS), Sky Lakes became a wilderness on June 26, 1984, twenty years after Mountain Lake's inclusion in the same system. However it was managed as a special use area for many years.

The Sky Lakes Wilderness extends southward from Crater Lake National Park to Oregon Highway 140 and includes land on two National Forests, the Rogue River and the Winema. The area is dominated on the south by Mount McLoughlin (9,495 feet), and, as one proceeds northward to the National Park, the terrain levels out into a broad plateau like ridge that is dotted with many glacier carved lakes. The highly scenic Pacific Crest Trail traverses the entire length of the Wilderness. The 116,300 acre area is extremely popular with hikers and campers because of its accessibility to day users from a large area of southern Oregon and its scenic characteristics.

Sky Lakes serves as important elk (and other wildlife) habitat, and it is used by the famous Union Peak herd, which summers in the higher elevations of Crater Lake National Park. The heard is one of many in the area.

There are three major lake basins (Sky Lakes, Seven Lakes, and Blue Canyon) included in the wilderness, containing scores of sparkling, crystal clear alpine lakes, creeks, and icy cold springs. In addition to the many trails that access Sky Lakes from the east and west, the Pacific Crest Trail traverses the wilderness the entire north-south length, winding over 35 miles. In total, there are over 140 miles of trails in the wilderness.

A common day hike and non-technical mountain climb is the Mount McLoughlin Trail, located in the southern portion of the wilderness. The five-mile hike to the 9,495 foot summit of the mountain is rated as difficult, but the panoramic view is worth the climb. It is the highest peak in Southern Oregon, and the highest point in the Cascade Range between the Three Sisters and Mount Shasta.

To get to the trailhead take Forest Service Road #3650 north off Highway 140, near the Klamath/Jackson county line. The trail up to the summit is clearly marked by blazed trees, piled-up rock cairns and old Forest Service telephone poles that lead to a former lookout. However, each year a number of people become lost on the descent, usually due to coming down a different route than was used when climbing the mountain. It is best to descent the mountain keeping the telephone poles in sight until you find the trail that leaves the ridge. If you lose the trail, travel to the east or southeast, which will take you either to the Pacific Crest Trail or to Highway 140.

The summer recreation season usually begins in late June after the winter snowpack melts and the trails begin to dry out. In early July, the flowers are blooming, the fish are jumping, and the days are warm and blue. The weekdays offer more opportunities to enjoy the solitude of the wilderness then the weekends. Holiday weekends are most crowded. The snowstorms 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 designed 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. Thunderstorms are a common summer pattern, and it can snow in any month, so be sure to check local weather before setting out.

Fish stocked in the Sky Lakes lakes include brook trout, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and Kokanee. The later is only stocked at Fourmile lake. Cutthroat are currently only stocked in Big Heavenly Twin and Isherwood lakes.

For further information contact:

Rogue River National Forest
P.O. Box 520
333 West Eighth St.
Medford, OR 97501
(503) 858-2200

Winema National Forest
2819 Dahlia
Klamath Falls, Oregon 97601
(503) 883-6714