Broken Top and No Name Lake: The Best Oregon Trail

Hiking up to Broken Top and No Name Lake is one of my favorite places in Central Oregon. The striking turquoise color of the lake and surrounding mountain views make this a must-see place. In the winter the lake is frozen and buried under feet of snow, but as the snow melts, it pools into the lake creating a mineral-rich lake all summer long. There are two options to enjoy this area: day hike or backpack. It is a long day hike at 11-16 miles round trip, but most people do day hike it. I’ll be sharing the various trails you can take, what to expect and where to camp.

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Things to Know About Hiking to Broken Top and No Name Lake

• A permit is required to hike here between May 28th-September 24th whether you are day hiking or backpacking. You can learn more about the permit system here. You will need to have a printed copy of this permit on you while you hike in case a forest ranger stops you and asks to see it. A Northwest Forest Pass will also be required for your car at the trailheads.

• You cannot camp within 1/4th mile of the lake. The first time hiking here we saw a group pitching a tent right on the lake despite this rule. I could hear others telling them not to and they chose to camp there anyways. BE RESPECTFUL OF THIS RULE or they may make camping here more restrictive. There are plenty of great places to camp in the area still without being disrespectful of the guidelines protecting the lake.

• This hike is fully exposed almost the entire hike, so pack accordingly. Sunscreen, sun hats and proper layers are extremely important.

• No campfires within the wilderness area. All wilderness areas are no fire zones. Mountainous and dry terrain make for extreme fire danger. Protect this area and do not have a fire. Pack appropriate gear and clothes to keep you warm.

• Bring plenty of water. You should have a liter of water for every two hours you are hiking. More if it’s hot. There are multiple spots to refill your water between the stream and the lake itself, so pack a water filter so you can refill your water supply. Do not drink straight from the water sources without filtering first unless you want to get sick.

Leave No Trace Principles

Be sure to know and follow the 7 Leave No Trace Principles on trail. It’s so important to help protect these beautiful places we love and enjoy. Make sure you know these principles before going out on a hike.

• Plan Ahead and Prepare: Always check for current weather updates and educate yourself on trail conditions prior to starting a hike. Look for recent reviews or call the local ranger station for up-to-date trail information like closures, recent wildlife and road conditions. 

• Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Stick to the trail. Avoid going off trail unless it’s to go to the bathroom. You can capture amazing photos from the trail. Do not cut switchbacks. Stepping off trail can cause years of damage with just one simple step. Camp in exciting campsites rather than over vegetation.  

• Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack out all trash and food scraps. Never toss food items on the ground. It is harmful to the wildlife. Properly dispose of human waste by digging a cat hole at least 6 inches deep and burying human waste. Bring a wag back to pack it out in fragile alpine terrain. Never leave toilet paper or feminine hygiene products behind because they shouldn’t be disposed of on trail. Being a bag and pack them out to dispose of properly. Same goes for dog poop. Properly burry it or pack it back out to dispose of. Do not leave dog poop bags on the side of the trail because they are easy to forget, animals can get into them and other hikers don’t want to see them. 

• Leave What You Find: Do not take objects like plant off trail with you. Preserve nature by not marking on rocks or harming any natural objects. Never pick wildflowers. It is illegal in many states. 

• Minimize Campfire Impacts: Check and follow all local wildfire regulations. Use exciting fire rings and keep fires small. Put fires out properly by dousing will multiple gallons of water. Coals should be cool to the touch before walking away. 

• Respect Wildlife: Never touch, feed or approach wildlife. Give a minimum of 25 yards to all wildlife and a minimum or 100 yard for predators and larger wildlife. Wildlife are not like house pets. They can spook easily or feel threatened. Stay in your car if wildlife is near the road. Do not feed them because our food is harmful to their digestive system.

• Be Considerate of Others: Respect other hikers by allowing those that hike faster to pass. Uphill hikers have the right of way, so safely step aside for them to pass, unless they offer to stop first. Limit noise and use headphones. Keep groups under 8. Say hello to a fellow hiker!

Best Time of Year to Go Hike Broken Top

This hike is only accessible during summer and fall months unless you have access to a snow mobile or are willing to hike the added mileage from the closed roads with skis or snowshoes. I would not recommend this area in winter months unless you have extensive backcountry winter training and experience.

In the summer months there are three routes to reach No Name Lake: Todd Lake Trailhead, Tam McArthur Trailhead and NF-370. I have only reached the lake from the Tam McArthur trail because I prefer that route. I have hiked the Todd Lake Trail almost to the lake though. The forest service road option is only recommended for high clearance 4×4 vehicles, and even then I know some people who have turned around on the road due to poor conditions.

The earlier in the summer you do this hike, the more snow and ice will be present at and over the lake. In the photo above I went in early August and half of the lake was still frozen over. It was beautiful with all the snow up there! If you’re wanting to go when the lake is fully melted, you’ll want to go towards the end of August, September or October.

I’ve backpacked it in the beginning of October and made it a weekend before the snow began to fall. You can still go up in October, you’ll just want to check the weather for snowfall or storms and pack accordingly. The temperatures at night in the fall will be extremely cold, so have an appropriate sleeping bag and plenty of layers to keep you warm.

Hiking Routes to Broken Top and No Name Lake

There are actually three routes available for this hike, and all three are very different. Below I will share trail information for all three routes to help you decide which route will be best for you.

Tam Mcarthur Rim Trail

This is the only route I have hiked to reach No Name Lake and although I’ve hike most of the Todd Lake trail, without reaching the lake itself, I can say the Tam McArthur route is my favorite.

The trail begins at the Tam McArthur trailhead, located at Three Creeks Lake. There is no official map for this route on AllTrails, only for Tam McArthur Rim. The trail quickly gains elevation and takes you 2.5 miles to the rim edge. From the rim you continue hiking on the trail towards Broken Top. You will see a sign that says “Trail unmaintained” shortly after leaving the rim, but other than the last section, the trail is very easy to follow. The trail from Tam McArthur Ridge to No Name lake is fully exposed. Wear appropriate clothing and have proper sun protection.

Depending on how early in the season you go, there could be snow. I have hiked it in late June and it is difficult to follow with the snowpack unless you have a map to follow. There was snow before hitting Tam McArthur Ridge as well. Microspikes and a pre-downloaded map would be key to making it safely before mid—late July. In later months the trail will be easy to follow.

A mile past Tam McArthur Ridge, you’ll end up on a second ridge with sweeping views of Bachelor, Broken Top, the Three Sisters and all the way to Mt. Hood. From the ridge, you’ll work your way up to the north side of Broken Hand. From there the trail can be harder to find, but not if you know what ot expect. While backpacking this section in early August, there was still snow through this section.

Microspikes would have helped navigate the trail since it runs on the edge of the hill. With the snow there was only one real trail to follow but once the snow melts, it can be slightly more difficult to find. The rock through here is loose and mixed with boulders so walk careful and be aware of your surroundings. No matter what trail you take, just keep heading towards Broken Top and stay up on the hillside, don’t go down.

Once you cross the rock field below Broken Hand ( right circle in first photo and middle photo), you will scramble through rocks and trees. This area has tent sites throughout, but you’ll keep hiking through here to get ot the top of the ridge. The trail comes and goes but it easy to find if you lose it. Whatever you do, stay on the ridge and don’t hike down towards the lake yet. If you are backpacking, find a good campsite too and set up before hiking to the top of the ridge.

From the top of the ridge you will have sweeping views of No Name Lake and the surrounding mountains. This is easily one of the best spots for sunrise and sunset in all of Central Oregon! You will also spot the trail that takes you down to the lake. Follow this trail down if you want to walk along the lake or need to refill your water. The lake is the only water source along this trail, so be sure to pack plenty of water to get you to the lake where you can filter more water.

Todd Lake Trail

This is the most popular route for hikers to reach No Name Lake. The trailhead is the easiest to reach and the trail itself is much easier to follow than Tam McArthur. From the Todd Lake trailhead you will hike into Todd Lake, which is just over .1 miles. To the left will be an outhouse and the junction to head up to No Name Lake. Take Todd Lake trail #34, which will immediately begin climbing in elevation.

The trail will take you 2.3 miles through the forest before popping you out of the tree line and be fully exposed the rest of the hike. Here you will also hit the Soda Creek junction. Continue on the Todd Lake trail another .8 miles until you reach the end of the trail. The trail will go left to Green Lakes and right up to No Name Lake. Be sure to take the trail to the right or you may add in extra mileage going the wrong way.

From the junction you will have sweeping views of Broken Top and Bachelor. There is a small creek crossing, but you can easily cross without getting your feet wet. There is one final junction here. The trail to the right will take you to the shorter trailhead of NF-370. Continue left up to No Name Lake from here. I have not hiked past this junction, but the trail takes you right to the Creek Bed where No Name Lake runs out.

In early summer months, this area will have snow. Be extremely careful not to cross over the creek or you will risk falling in. It could be covered in snow still, so listen for the sound of water. In later summer months this area is clear of snow and will be a rock scramble to the lake basin.

If you take the Todd Lake Trail you will not cross over the upper ridge to the North of No Name Lake. This is by far my favorite view of the area, but you can still get to the ridge from No Name Lake. I would highly recommend adding the ridge onto your hike. You will be rewarded with views of the Three Sisters, Washington, Three Fingered Jack, Jefferson and Mt. Hood in the distance. From the lakes, follow the trail on the east side that loops around to the north. From there you will see the trail goes up the ridge, gaining an additional 200+ feet of elevation in .1 miles. It’s steep, but worth the climb!

NF-370 Trail

This route will be the much shorter option if you have the guts and proper vehicle to get you through. I personally have never driven it but have spoken to dozens of people who have with mixed reviews. Some says it was fine with their 4×4 and other said they either barely made it or turned around because the road is so bad even with a high clearance vehicle. If you choose to go this route, know what you’re comfortable with for driving rough roads and be willing to turn around if you don’t feel safe.

If you opt for the forest service road, you will pop out at the final junction on the Todd Lake trailhead route next to the creek. The mileage above included hiking up to the ridge above so if you choose not to hike up the ridge. The ridge is by far my favorite spot on the hike, so I wouldn’t highly recommend going up there, especially since the hike is shorter.

Day Hike or Backpack to Broken Top?

For me, being able to watch the sun go down and the sunrise over Broken Top, No Name Lake and the surrounding peaks will always win out. Backpacking to this area is my favorite and I’d do it any day over a day hike up if I had the choice. If you aren’t a backpacker, you can still enjoy the views for sunrise or sunset. Simply pack a headlamp with appropriate lumens. If you want to do this as a day hike and know you will be hiking in the dark, I would suggest starting at the Todd Lake or NF-370 trailheads. They will be the easiest and safest trail to follow in the dark.

Day hiking this is by no means a bad day hike! It’s still one of the most amazing hikes you can do in the area, no matter how you choose to do it.

What to Bring

• Appropriate hiking shoes (hiking boots or trail runners, not sneakers)
• Day hiking backpack or backpacking pack
• Water bottle or bladder
• Water Filter
• Clothing Layers
• Sunscreen
• Bug Spray
• Snacks
• Garmin GPS and downloaded map
• Hiking permit printout
• Clothing layers, especially if you’re hiking in the fall
• If backpacking, check my “Backpacking gear” guide for a checklist.

To learn more about what I hike with go here to see my must-have gear, trail clothes and more!

Reminders

• Always practice Leave No Trace, especially in a fragile mountain terrain like Broken Top. Pack out all your trash. Stay on trail to minimize your footprint and properly burry or carry out all human waste.

• Do not camp near the lake. Signs state you must be 1/4 mile from No Name Lake.

• Permits! Don’t forget to have a Northwest Forest Pass in your car for the trailhead. You must have a printed copy of your hiking permit on your person.

• Water, water, water! It‘a so important to have an appropriate amount if water. You should consume a liter for every 2 hours of hiking. A small water bottle or a shared water supply will not be enough. If you have one, bring a water filter to resupply.

Broken Top and No Name Lake is one of the most magical places. I like to visit the area yearly now that I’ve fallen in love with it. No matter which route you choose to take, you will challenge yourself while seeing this beautiful lake. If you have any further questions or want to share your experience after, please leave a comment below!

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