Lost Lake
Mount Hood National Forest, Oregon · 3,143 ft
Typical peak
Sep 21 – Sep 29
low confidence in typical timing.
Best light
Best at sunrise
Classic view faces SE (143°)
Mount Hood sits southeast across the water and reflects from the north-shore day-use beach on a still morning. Vine maple and bigleaf maple in the old-growth understory along the shoreline loop carry the color at lake level.
Seasonal model estimate. Timing remains uncertain; check recent reports before traveling. Source: seasonal timing model. Calculated .
Crowds
high
Busy through peak. Be parked before sunrise or expect to walk in.
Getting there
From Hood River take OR-281 south to Lost Lake Road (Forest Road 13) and drive about 25 miles to the resort day-use area, 100 yards from the north shore.
What turns here
- vine maple
- bigleaf maple
- red alder
Color progression
Typical peak Sep 25Typical color progression for Lost Lake. No change from Aug 18 to Sep 4. First color from Sep 4 to Sep 13. Approaching peak from Sep 13 to Sep 21. Peak from Sep 21 to Sep 29. Past peak from Sep 29 to Oct 9. Bare from Oct 9 to Oct 23.
Leaves are typically down on Nov 1, 2026. Color starts around Sep 4.
This season so far
First frost
Oct 11
6 nights at or below 32°F since Aug 1.
Last 14 days
48°F / 34°F
Average daily high and low.
Modeled weather for these coordinates from the Open-Meteo historical archive, Aug 1 – Oct 31; not a station record. Reported peak is the median date of approved peak-color reports.
Plan the light
Lost Lake on September 25, 2026, the center of its typical peak window.
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| First light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 6:28 AM |
| Sunrise Rises E · 90° | 6:57 AM |
| Morning golden hour ends 39 min of low, warm light | 7:37 AM |
| Solar noon Highest sun, flattest light | 12:59 PM |
| Evening golden hour starts 39 min before sunset | 6:20 PM |
| Sunset Sets W · 269° | 6:59 PM |
| Last light (blue hour) Sun 6° below horizon | 7:29 PM |
Times in America/Los Angeles · day length 12h 2m · computed from NOAA solar equations.
Local terrain can hide the sun; allow extra time to reach your viewpoint.
Which way to point the camera
Both ends of the day: side-lit
Side light. Best for texture and depth across a ridge, and the safest bet for contrast.
Classic composition faces SE (143°).
Shooting conditions
Glassy water, wind blur, and what the cloud will do to your light.
Recent reports
What people actually saw here. Been recently? Add yours.
Nearby locations
Within 100 miles in a straight line; road distances can be longer.