Swampy Lakes Loop
Trail Snapshot:
Status
Riding Well
Length
4.1 miles
Elevation
457' ↑
C.O.D.
Deadfall
none
Trail Description
ebike allowed or not caveatE-bikes NOT allowed on Swampy Lakes Loop
The Swampy Lakes Loop is not often ridden as an actual loop – but does allow for a short high country loop if you desire that. Typically people are parking at Swampy Sno-park and heading toward the old Swampy Shelter* junction and then on down to town via Southfork, Tumalo Ridge or Sector 16.
During the winter months between November 1 and April 30 you’ll need a Sno-Park permit to park at any of the designated Sno-Parks — including Swampy.
*The shelter at Swampy was recently replaced with a new shelter south of the original location. All that’s left of the old shelter is a pit of charcoal and ash.
This trail is maintained by Central Oregon Trail Alliance.
Trail Photos
Porcupine snowshoe rideable in AM thursday AM. Firm early mornings.
On a fatty
The report I’ve added pertains to Porcupine snowshoe trail, not the regular summer loop.
The ride out to Swampy Shelter (out and back) is perfect on a fatty right now.
Same with Nordeen Loop & Tie.
I wonder if those winter-use trails could be added to the site at some time. They’re both great rides.
Anyways, good fatty option.
Big puddle westside of Swampy Lakes.
Three trees down at the creek crossing and a couple rideable snow patches.
Thursday’s rain put a rut on parts of Swampy Lakes West–didn’t ride the East side.
There is snow on Swampy West. Probably a weeks worth.
Rash of car break-ins on Cascade Lakes Highway trailheads including Swampy Lakes, Green Gate, and the Welcome Center. Beware!
Swampy loop clear os trees and snow
thanks Don, great to have Swampy up and running
8” tree down at creek crossing near Southfork. Lots of branches.
Tree is gone and the trail is clear
Solid snow the whole way around. A couple of leaners and snags still present
Down tree near Southfork is now clear. Thanks Don.
Rode the upper part today to Southfork. About 5-6 trees down, but not too bad. Southfork all clear! Woohoo!
Description is wrong about the needing a Forest Pass to park at Swampy Lakes Snopark.
There’s a walk around deadfall on the shelter tie, but maybe that’s not supposed to be a summer trail.
that’s a winter trail. Surely someone will saw it out regardless tho
About 1 3/4 mi up either side of the loop is totally clear. Upper 1mi is still deep snow or streams in the trail.
Cleared of deadfall as of 10/15
Tree across the west fork of the swampy loop trail, .15mi from the parking lot. Managed to get one cut through but didn’t have enough time to finish a second cut. Could use some help finishing the job.
Cleared!
4” tree at the intersection with lower flagline
Cleared
Small tree down this morning on Swampy between SST and Swede intersection. About 6″ diameter
The section from SST north to Swede Ridge junction has quite a bit of snow and 10” wide deadfall close to the Swede intersection. Best to wait a week or two more.
Scattered snow patches in shady spots, but totally ridable.
2 trees down on Swampy Lakes trail (East) right at shelter tie intersection. 12″ and 9″ diameter. Location 44.006, -121.579
Trail clear!
Dusty, but not as bad as usual for this time of year.
Clear and running well.
Still large patches of snow, and a downed tree or two.
Up Swampy Lakes Loop (I think that’s the name as trail signs here suck) 1.42 miles from the parking lot there is a tree down across trail about 8-10″.
Clear!
6” tree down between SST and Swede Ridge trails on a downhill section.
Clear!
Just wanted to give a head’s up that the Bend Trail Series running race is starting and finishing at Swampy Lake this Thursday, 7/5. About 75 runners will be on the trails there from 6:15 to 8:00pm.
Keeping the status as winter mix but there’s only a few short sections down by the lake with snow/mud.
Deadfall report:
2 from SST junction up to Swede junction. 6-8 inch
1 from outer loop to the new shelter and a couple on the ground that are rideable but not great because of the angle to the trail
Mostly clear of trees and snow. Only two problem areas:
*Between the shelter and Swede Ridge
*Down by the lake riding up to top Southfork
Clear of trees from SST down East end of loop to swampy snow park. Significant snow in sections. Not quite a “fun” ride till more snow is gone. Thanks Lev, Seth, Chris joe
East side of loop has be cleared by CONC. I cleared Upper side from Swede to SF today. Cut back a lot of crap too.
West side gullied and sandy at the start. Stream crossing and ride through puddles close to the lake, but before the Flagline junction.
Western side is mostly good. But a bit Swampy in places with a river running down the trail. Don’t believe I had to jump over any trees on this section.
Rode the eastern side of the loop to swede yesterday, There were 2 trees down, but not major and still rideable. Snow patches are almost gone. no puddles
Still some pretty thick snow patches and a LOT of water on the trail. Mosquito repellent is gonna be critical this season — or plan to pedal fast and never stop.
Trails cleared yesterday by Lev/Mason. Still snow in patches
Snowshoe trails are firm and awesome. 1″ new snow as of midnight last night at shelter. This morning might be perfect with a couple inches of fresh on a firm track.
Starting to get pretty deep for fatbikers. Probably time to let the snowshoers blaze some tracks this holiday weekend.
Phabulous Phatbiking! :)
Sorry about the confusing posts about the closure… We were getting different reports from different folks at the USFS. Here’s the latest official word:
“They are still logging in the (Swampy Lakes) area, but are for the most part away from the trail so it is open. The 222 road is closed while they are hauling out of the upper section.”
Alrighty, I found out that due to the IFPL, the contract crews were delayed. Anticipated re-opening will be some time around middle of October.
Hey Ryan. Official reply from USFS is that the loop is now open. Came in 5 minutes after your post. Not sure why the discrepancy. Thanks for the help!
Still closed for a bit longer. Contract crews delayed due to IFPL. Unsure about reopening. I will ask about it this morning
Still closed? Thought that should have expired on the 15th. West Bend map mentions “Pound Firewood Contract active M-F, but I’m not sure if this means it’s closed M-F or not.
OK – hard to tell on my phone, but on my PC, it seems it’s just an alert now, and only the road portion of the Eastern side of the loop is closed. The west side of the Swampy Loop, Ridge Loop and the parking area appear to be open now.
thanks for bringing this up. I will ask the FS what the status is
Pretty sure Lev and Erika cleared the trail on the west side of the lakes yesterday. East side is still lots of deadfall. Still lots of snow patches.