TWIN LAKES (WINTER)

WHERE:    From Portland take highway 26 nearly 10 miles past Government Camp.  Look for Frog Lake Sno-park on your left.

THE TRAIL:    Starts on the north side of the sno-park for snowshoers and cross country skiers.  The trail only climbs about 500 feet in elevation as you reach the Pacific Crest trail about 1 1/2 miles into the trek.  You can follow the pacific crest trail north and loop around via trail 495 or you can head for the lakes first.  If you stay on the Pacific Crest trail follow it for about three miles to the Twin Lakes Trail:  This trail is followable in the snow.  There is a cutoff trail a little farther down (trail # 482) which would make a longer loop but It was not marked due to snow.  Along the PCT trail you get occasional views of the mountains to the west and you will not share the trail with many people if you go on a weekday.  If you want a truly wild experience, go when its snowing:  If you do this use common sense when considering the likelihood of getting caught in a blizzard of course.  The Twin Lakes loop will then go past Bird Butte then upper and lower Twin Lake.  Both lakes are spectacular when it is snowing.  You are in a sub alpine bowl with clouds sprinkling big soft flakes of powder.  You truly feel like your standing on a separate continent from the rest of the world.  After you are done admiring the lower lake you will hike up for a half mile to meet the PCT once again and back to the parking area.  The total loop is 9 miles in length.  Often times you will find it is only snowing and one side of the crest between the two twin lakes and not the other.  You can often tell when you are cresting by the difference in snowfall.  Alternately there is a trail (I believe it is called the Palmeeter trail) which can be picked up shortly after the Twin Lakes.  This trail roughly follows a crest above the White river which presents several excellent views.