• Trail name: Blue Lake
• Distance: 1.5 miles
• elevation gain: 250  ft
• Difficulty: Easy

At the edge of the Diamond peak wilderness you can find this small 20 acre lake. The trail is almost entirely flat the entire way as it goes through the forest and through a couple small meadows.  The pull off is easy to miss for the trail head so watch carefully.  Most of the lake edge is very marshy.  But the north side is fairly dry with a several small spots that you can camp.  As with any wilderness camping if you pack it in, you pack it out.  Always leave as little trace of your visit as you can.  The fishing was very good when I went up last in early 2012.  First three casts each caught a brook trout.  All around 8″  in length.  The largest one i saw swimming around was close to 16″.  I wouldn’t expect anything much bigger then that in there. But at 33 feet deep it is possible for there to be a few big ones lurking in there.   This is a great lake to introduce the younger generation to hiking and fishing. A float tube would be a blast if you wanted to carry one in.

Directions: From Oakridge drive south on hwy 58 until you see the Hills Creak Reservoir turn off (yes turn off).  Follow forest road 21 all the way around the reservoir and up the middle fork of the Willamette river.  Follow it to where it intersects Forest road 2145. .  Take 2145 and drive about 5 miles to a fork with Forest rd 2149.  Turn east on 2149 and go about 4 miles to the trail head.