Mt Hood area is one of our favorite places to stop in when we are in Oregon. Although during our latest visit we spent most of our time on the coast, we still took a day to drive through Mt Hood territory. Since we only had time for one relatively long stop, we chose Frog Lake, our favorite in the area.
Frog Lake
Though smaller than the well-known Trillium Lake and a few other in the area, Frog Lake is our favorite mainly because of the tiny frogs we see there. They are the cutest creatures, and they are everywhere, we have to be very careful not to step on them, even on the shore.
The other reason we like this lake is its relative anonymity. No matter when we stop there, we find no crowds, it only seems to be known by locals. In fact, for a while we didn’t even know its name; we called it Frog Lake because of the frogs, but we thought we made up the name.
The first time we stumbled upon it was by accident. We spent a week in a rented home in the area, and every day we tried finding something new to do. After exhausting all the known destinations, we drove down every side road or track we could find.
One of these side roads led us to this quaint little lake, with only a few people enjoying a picnic on its shore. When we stopped to investigate, the kids noticed the tiny frogs on the shore. This was years ago; when our kids were much younger.
They held the frogs in their palms, enjoying the fact that these creatures were as tiny as their fingernails. Watching their steps – and ours-, they made sure no one stepped on them. They also “saved” some that wandered farther off from the shore by bringing them back into the water.
We’ve seen so many frogs every time we went, I still wonder how we didn’t step on any. We used to sit on a log and watch them for what seemed like hours.
What’s the deal with the frogs?
For a long time, it seemed to me that the frogs were there all the time; at least all summer. We used to see them every time we went.
But for a few consecutive summers we found no frogs. We stopped, prepared to be careful not to step on them, and we could not even see one we needed to watch out for.
Disappointed, we looked into the water, and we barely even found a few tadpoles. I hoped they were hiding. Some of them were in late stages of development, so I was guessing a few more weeks and there would be frogs in Frog Lake.
They say August is the best time to see them. We realized this to be true. The years we saw no frogs on Frog Lake we visited in July. During our latest visit, in August this time, we found frogs here once again.
However, things had changed at Frog Lake. This time, it didn’t seem so out-of-the-way, or only known to locals. We did visit on a weekend though, during extremely hot summer days in Portland.
More people were parked around the lake than I ever remember seeing. Families had picnics set up on the shores, many paddle boards and kayaks were on the lake. Unfortunately, this also came with some pollution, like glitter we noticed in the lake. Still, the tiny frogs were there. Fewer than I remembered, but with more people visiting the lake, they are most likely hiding.
A new parking lot sprung up at the entrance of the forest surrounding Frog Lake. Signs on the highway directed visitors to it. No wonder it’s not so hidden any more.
However, a visit or even a short stop at the lake is always worth it. Even on a more crowded day. Even on days when you are not likely to see frogs. After all, the tiny creatures are only one of the reasons to spend time at this gorgeous lake.
The shaded forest surrounding the lake, and the trails in it are a bonus. But the best part of a stop is the view of the snow-peaked Mt Hood and its reflection in the lake.
Mt Hood, visible from the shores of Frog Lake
With its perpetually snow-peaked top reflecting in Frog Lake, Mt Hood is the highest mountain in Oregon, home to 12 glaciers and some of the best ski areas in the world. While we usually drive up to Timberline Lodge and the ski area, during our last trip we had no time for that side trip.
However, we enjoyed the views of the mountain from the lake, and from the road.
Quick Facts about Frog Lake:
Through a few different lakes are called Frog Lake in Oregon, this one is in Mt Hood National Forest.
The lake shores have several hiking trails, a picnic area with bathrooms, and a campground. Besides hiking, camping, picnicking, canoes and row boats are allowed on the lake – no motorized boats though. Fishing is also permitted in the lake, as well as swimming – when the weather permits it.
