Cabot Lake to Table Lake, Mt. Jefferson Wilderness, Oregon

Sadly there is not too much time left to get into the high country this year. Awhile back a friend asked me if I had ever done the ride to Table Lake, and my answer was no. I had gone part of the way once, on a not so great weather day, with a lot of cloud cover, and I hadn't been back since. So it was time!

Above Carl Lake on the Cabot Lake Trail.

To get there: From Sisters go 12 miles west on Hwy 20, take a right at the sign for Wilderness Trailheads and Jack Lake Rd. Follow it for 4.4 miles, then take a left on Rd. 1230, it will turn to gravel after 1.5 miles at a junction, stay on 1230 which is to the right, and follow it another 7 miles until it ends at the Cabot Lake Trailhead.
The gravel part of Rd 1230 is rocky in places, one lane, with some washboard and has gotten worse in recent years.
The trailhead is not huge, but you can still turn around and park even if there are some cars in the lot.

This trail starts through the old burn area from the B&B fire of 2003 with views of the top of Mt. Jefferson peaking above the other ridges and buttes. Full of Manzanita and Snowbrush this area is always green and pretty. If it is a windy day don't be surprised if you hear something that sounds like screaming. The wind whistles through the dead trees and they make some very ghostly sounds.

The parking area at the Cabot Lake Trailhead.

At the start of the Cabot Lake Trail.

Along the Cabot Lake Trail, Green Ridge in the distance on the right.

The first junction you will get to is the short detour that goes over to Cabot Lake, which you can check out very quickly. On this particular day that trail was not cleared, so I skipped it. You can view the lake from above a little later as you continue to switchback up the trail.
There are a few other ponds and small lakes along the the way until you get to the much bigger Carl Lake.

A small lake along the Cabot Lake Trail.

After checking out Carl Lake which is lovely and very swimmable, the trail continues on beside the lake shore. You will see another junction to the left that goes towards Shirley Lake and the PCT, ignore it and stay straight, towards Junction Lake. The trail then switchbacks up above Carl Lake.

Carl Lake.

On the switchbacks above Carl Lake on the Cabot Lake Trail.

Once you get to Junction Lake, which is more of a pond, the old Sugar Pine Ridge Trail that is no longer maintained, leaves to the right from here, but just stay on the very obvious main trail.
This is where things start to get really interesting, you will come to a large lava field with Forked Butte on the right and North Cinder Peak on the left, and some fabulous Mt. Jefferson views.

Riding past the lava flow on the Cabot Lake Trail.

Shale on the Cabot Lake Trail.

Getting closer to Mt. Jefferson.

North Cinder Peak.

Mt. Jefferson.

Bear Butte in the distance.

After this scenic section the trail drops downhill into the forest and eventually you will reach Patsy Lake. At Patsy Lake there is another trail heading down to the right, but it goes to Jefferson Lake. There is a sign pointing out that this trail is not maintained. I would heed that warning, even hikers have a difficult time attempting it these days. Update: The Jefferson Lake Trail has been cleared for the first time in 14 years and I have since ridden it from the lower trailhead.

Patsy Lake.

Forked Butte.

Fall colors on the Cabot Lake Trail.

The main trail switchbacks yet again uphill for a short while to the next destination which is Table Lake. There are no views of Jefferson from down by this lake. I stayed here for a brief break and then turned around and headed back.

Table Lake.

Hanging out at Table Lake.

This was an 18.2 mile ride according to my map, but it seemed longer, you can't move out very fast for a lot of the ride, and so time wise it wasn't a normal 18 miler. From what I understand the trail continues briefly past Table Lake, and may not be cleared from there, but I didn't attempt it.

Heading back on the switchbacks above Patsy Lake.

Patsy Lake from above.

Happy Trails!


GPS COORDINATES TO CABOT LAKE TH